Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 6: Poultry farming, once considered a reliable source of livelihood for thousands of families across Kashmir, is witnessing a sharp decline as farmers grapple with recurring disease outbreaks, poor market returns and stiff competition from cheaper chicken supplied from outside the region.
In south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, traditionally known as one of the major poultry production hubs, farmers say the sector is facing an unprecedented crisis.
The farmers informed that nearly 2000 poultry farms in the district have shut down over the past few years, leaving hundreds of families without a stable source of income.
They allege that the situation has worsened due to the spread of diseases among poultry birds and what they describe as a lack of timely intervention and support from the concerned departments.
“We invested our life savings in poultry farming, hoping it would sustain our families. But repeated disease outbreaks have wiped out our flocks several times. Without proper support or compensation, many farmers were forced to shut their farms,” said Abdul Rashid, a poultry farmer from Pulwama.
Another farmer from the district said the influx of cheaper chicken from outside markets has further pushed local poultry to the brink.
“Chicken brought from outside states is sold at lower rates, and local farmers cannot compete with that. Our production costs are higher due to feed prices and other expenses. When the market price drops, we incur huge losses,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a poultry unit owner.
Farmers said that Pulwama once had thousands of active poultry units supplying chicken to markets across Kashmir, but the number has drastically reduced in recent years.
“We had around 10,000 birds earlier, but after repeated losses due to disease, we had to close our farm last year. Many others in our area have also abandoned poultry farming,” said Bashir Ahmad, another farmer, adding that the sector, which once generated employment for thousands of youth, is now struggling for survival.
The crisis is not limited to Pulwama alone. Farmers in other districts of Kashmir also report similar challenges, including frequent poultry diseases, lack of proper disease control mechanisms, high feed costs and declining market rates.
The farmers said that without strict monitoring of poultry imports from outside the Valley and better veterinary services, the situation could worsen further.
“Poultry farming once provided livelihood to thousands and contributed significantly to the local economy. If the government does not intervene now, the sector may collapse completely,” said poultry farmers, urging authorities to introduce disease management programs, financial assistance and market regulation to revive the industry.
Farmers have appealed to the concerned departments to conduct regular inspections, ensure vaccination drives and provide compensation to those who suffered heavy losses due to disease outbreaks.
They said that reviving poultry farming is crucial not only for the livelihoods of farmers but also for ensuring local production and reducing dependence on poultry imports from outside the region.
