Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Mar 12: The fear of coronavirus infection and the aversion created by unsubstantiated rumours are so strong that the people, in many parts of the state, have totally turned away from buying and consuming poultry products. Fearing for the worst, people from districts bordering Maharashtra like Belagavi and Chikkodi have shunned poultry so much that they refuse to accept the birds even when offered for free.

People who have been running the poultry industry was hoping to reap benefits of their months of labour by selling the products. In the meantime, the rumour that those eating chicken will die of coronavirus infection has made such an impact that the people have stopped having chicken in their menu. The poultry farmers who had invested lacs of rupees with the hope of getting some profit in return, are left stranded high and dry. Assurances given by officials and ministers about the poultry being safe have not turned the people towards these products.

Farm owners distributing chicken

The adverse effect of the said rumour is disastrous particularly in Chikkodi sub-division bordering Maharashtra. The rumour has swamped the poultry farmers unexpectedly. It is said that Sadashiva Desinge in Rayabagh town who has poultry farms, has distributed over 40,000 birds by visiting individual houses in 20 villages in the region. Many are in a dilemma as huge loans and accumulated interest stare at them, and they cannot sell the hens not can they convince themselves to kill them. A few days back, chicken commanded a price of Rs 70 per kg, but now no one is interested even if it is offered at ten rupees a kg.

The farm owners, if they decide to retain the poultry birds, have to feed them, which will be added expenditure which might just go down the drain. The owners of the poultry farms do not know how long will the effect of the rumour last.