Duck farmers in distress over bird flu outbreaks and inaction of govt

Outfit plans to hold hunger strikes to highlight plight of farmers, seeks immediate relief

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Alappuzha

DUCK farmers in Alappuzha are reeling under severe distress caused by frequent bird flu outbreaks, culling and government inaction. Since 2014, recurrent bird flu and other diseases have led to large-scale deaths of ducks, with culling becoming a routine measure. Whenever bird flu outbreaks occur, authorities impose culling of ducks within a one-kilometer radius, leaving farmers helpless. However, neither proper compensation is provided for the culled ducks nor is the loss accurately assessed.

This situation has pushed many farmers to the brink of financial crisis and even suicide, said B Rajasekharan, president of Aikya Tharavu Karshaka Sangam.