Bird flu leaves Kavre poultry farmers counting losses as they await compensation

Pradip Karki's poultry farm in Kavre, Nepal, once a source of steady income and expansion plans, now lies devastated by bird flu. The confirmation of the virus led to the culling of all 5,000 layer chickens and the destruction of feed and equipment, wiping out years of investment in a matter of hours.

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Years of hard work and millions of rupees in investment disappeared overnight. The business had finally begun to do well. I wanted to expand it, but bird flu destroyed everything. I am back to square one.

Karki, who had invested around Rs150,000 initially and expanded to 5,000 birds, was earning approximately Rs150,000 monthly. His investment in the flock alone exceeded Rs6.5 million, excluding other operational costs. The sudden loss has plunged him back to "square one," with his plans to double the flock now a distant memory.

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My loan instalments are due, but my income has fallen to zero. How can I repay the bank when the business itself no longer exists?

The financial fallout is severe. Karki had borrowed Rs7 million from a bank for expansion, and with no income, he is deeply concerned about loan repayments. The farm's closure also means the loss of jobs for its two employees, whom he has sent home for now.

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My family’s only source of income is gone. I might survive for a while by borrowing from friends, but what happens after that? How do I start again?

Authorities have prohibited poultry farming at the site for three months to prevent further spread. Karki faces an uncertain future, worried about surviving the next quarter and how he will restart his business without timely government compensation. The outbreak has also shaken confidence across the wider poultry sector, with rumors affecting even broiler producers.

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If the compensation is delayed, I have no way of starting from scratch. Right now, I am worried not only about surviving the next three months but also about what comes after.