Recurring bird flu outbreaks have put duck farming, a consistent source of income for several families in the Kuttanad region in Kerala, at a crossroads. The latest bout of avian influenza (H5N1) has resulted in the death/culling of over 65,000 birds, mostly ducks, at six hotspots-five in Alappuzha and one in Kottayam district, causing a sense of uncertainty and apprehension among stakeholders.
Abraham Ouseph, a seasoned duck farmer from ward 1 (Kodupunna) in Edathua grama panchayat in Alappuzha, lost his entire flock of 7,500 ducks to the outbreak two weeks ago.
“After ducks started to drop dead, I informed the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD). Tests confirmed bird flu. The rest of the ducks were culled by rapid response teams of the AHD. Though the region has witnessed several bird flu outbreaks, my flock was affected for the first time. I have been raising ducks after taking a loan. I suffered losses to the tune of lakhs. I am not thinking about a return to duck farming any time soon,” says Mr. Ouseph, adding that the promised government compensation was too little.
