Banking News – Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services is preparing to distribute nearly Rs. 520 million in compensation to farmers in 11 districts affected by avian influenza (bird flu) within the next week.

The relief will be provided to compensate farmers for birds, eggs, and feed destroyed during disease control operations. According to the department, eligible farmers will receive 75 percent of the assessed value of their verified losses.

Department spokesperson Mukul Upadhyay said compensation will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of affected owners whose claims have been verified for losses involving poultry, poultry products, and poultry production materials.

He added that farmers who are unable to receive compensation by the end of the current fiscal year will be paid during the next fiscal year.

The department said relief payments will be made in accordance with the Bird Flu Control Regulations, based on verified damage assessments. Upadhyay also urged affected farmers to submit applications, along with all required supporting documents, to their respective District Livestock Service Offices.

According to the department, the districts most severely affected by bird flu include Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi.

So far, approximately 700,000 birds, 1.1 million eggs, and 300,000 kilograms of poultry feed have been destroyed as part of disease control efforts. The department estimates the outbreak has caused economic losses of around Rs. 700 million.