October 12, 2005

Pakistan's breeder poultry losses over one million following earthquake
 

Pakistan's poultry sector lost over one million breeder poultry in the recent earthquake that devastated parts of the country, Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) said.

The earthquake had hit the areas of Mansehra, Batagram, Balakot, Shinkiari and other parts of the North-west Frontier Province (NWFP).

PPA added that the NWFP was the major region for breeder poultry due to its suitable climate and low-cost production. Initial reports estimated between 175 and 200 farms in the affected areas were completely destroyed.

The association expressed concern that a shortage of breeding birds in the country was likely, especially since poultry framers in NWFP already made improvements in their hatcheries. They also supplied 35 percent more breeder poultry to the Punjab and Sindh provinces until September.