September 20, 2024

Odisha, India poultry association distributes free food made from chicken to alleviate bird flu concerns

In a bid to put an end to the bird flu fear among the public in Odisha, India, the Poultry Traders' Association of Odisha on September 13 distributed biryani and other food items prepared from chicken among people free of cost.

Over 3.5 quintal (350 kilogrammes) of biryani, pakora, and other chicken dishes were distributed to end the misconceptions regarding bird flu, spread awareness among people and demonstrate the safety of consuming properly-cooked chicken items.

"Around 1,200 people joined the awareness programme and ate biryani and chicken pakora served by our association," said association secretary Jyotikanta Mohapatra. "The main objective of the event was to sensitise people that nothing happens if we consume properly-cooked chicken items."

He said the hesitation among people to buy chicken after the outbreak of bird flu in some farms in Puri has severely affected the poultry industry in Odisha. "While the panic and hesitation is mostly due to misinformation, it has dealt a huge blow to the entire industry," he added.

According to the association, poultry farmers, traders, suppliers, and other stakeholders have been left in the lurch as chicken consumption has declined by 80-90% in the recent days following reports of bird flu outbreak near Puri and the city outskirts.

Mohapatra said the revenue loss has already run into hundreds of crores of rupees for the poultry industry.

Association leaders also requested the state government not to create panic by announcing further curbs.

- The New Indian Express