Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Poultry Farmers Still Await Bird Flu Compensation
Bird flu was found in poultry farms in Navapur, Maharashtra, in April.
Officials killed many farm birds and destroyed eggs and feed to help stop the disease from spreading.
The farmers are supposed to receive money to make up for these losses.
They have received part of the promised money, but the rest has not arrived.
The state says it is waiting for more money from the central government.
Some backyard birds were not culled because their owners wanted payment immediately and officials did not have funds ready.
Farmers say the current payments do not cover what it costs to raise their birds.
They are trying to restart their farms while waiting for the rest of the compensation.
Bird flu was reported in Navapur taluka on April 30, prompting the culling of 413,682 layer birds and destruction of eggs and feed.
Nandurbar’s total compensation claim was Rs 9.80 crore for birds, eggs, feed and operational expenses.
Farmers received a first tranche of Rs 6.73 crore by the end of September; the remaining funds are pending.
Officials cancelled plans to cull nearly 10,000 backyard birds because owners sought immediate compensation and funds were unavailable.
Farmers say compensation rates fall short of their costs and are seeking higher payments and compensation at the time of culling.
- Who
- Poultry farmers in Navapur taluka, Nandurbar district, whose birds were culled or whose eggs and feed were destroyed.
- What
- Farmers are awaiting the unpaid portion of a Rs 9.80 crore bird-flu compensation claim.
- When
- The outbreak was reported on April 30; the first payment reached farmers by the end of September, more than five months later.
- Where
- Navapur taluka, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The compensation balance has not been released; state officials say they are awaiting the Centre’s remaining share.
Farmers’ concerns
Government’s position
Timing and completeness of compensation
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers are still waiting for the remaining compensation and have sought payment at the time of culling.
Government’s position
State officials say the outstanding funds depend on the Centre’s release; the state says it cannot release its share before the Centre’s share arrives.
Adequacy of compensation
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers say the prescribed rates do not cover their costs; one industry representative said raising a layer bird until it begins laying costs around Rs 500.
Government’s position
The articles report the existing compensation rates, while officials explain that funding is assessed after an outbreak because its scale and costs cannot be known in advance.
- Total compensation claim
- Rs 9,80,11,586
- First tranche paid
- Rs 6.7344 crore, with equal Centre and state shares
- Birds culled
- 4,13,682 layer birds
- Eggs destroyed
- 24,91,723 eggs
- Poultry feed disposed
- 5,48,958 kg
- Backyard birds affected by cancelled culling plan
- Nearly 10,000
- Compensation rates cited
- Rs 140 per adult layer bird, Rs 4 per egg and Rs 25 per kg of feed