August 4: Poultry farmers in Sarpang are looking at the possibility of importing day-old hatchlings from Nepal to meet the shortage of poultry and poultry products in the country.

The shortage has been caused by the ban on import of poultry products.

Satara poultry in Bhur geog is the first private poultry farm to import hatchlings from Nepal in the Dzongkhag.

Farm owner Dremy Wangda said he imported nearly 2000 hatchlings from Nepal to substitute old birds. He said tax imposed by the government while importing the hatchlings and difficulty in getting layer-birds are some of the problems.

He said the farm will also try to supply birds to other local backyard farms in Gelephu and Sarpang.

Other local farm owners are thinking of importing as well.

The In-charge of Tashi Paykhel, Kinzang Wangdi said they are yet to confirm the rates and Druk Air charges. He said they are also trying to repair the incubator currently at the Fishery centre in Gelephu.

Once they get the incubator they plan to open a hatchery and distribute to local poultry farms in the Dzongkhag.

Meanwhile, most backyard farm owners who cannot afford to import fowls from Nepal are worried on how they will replace their old birds.

The Livestock Extension Officer of Chuzergang geog, Chogyel said since the birds are old, production has dropped to almost 60% at the moment. Some farm owners said earlier they get pullets at subsidized rates from the government. They said purchasing from private firms will be expensive.

Chuzergang geog has around eight backyard poultry farms.