Without poultry, CPDO comes to a grinding halt

The ever-busy Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO) and Training Institute will now be without any activity as its entire stock of poultry has been culled.

The Institute will now have to wait for at least three months to renew its activities.
An uneasy calm prevails at CPDO as the Avian Influenza, which proved disastrous, has rendered it jobless. The institute, known for business activities, research and training, will remain without any breeding activity or business until it is declared disease-free and safe to breed and rear birds.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, sources here said the institute will have to start from the scratch after it receives a no-objection certificate.

“We will not be operational for about 90 days until we are certified as sanitised by the Government of Karnataka, which is taking up the operation to clean up the place and ensure that there is no viral strains left here,” said an Institute source.

The Institute was established in the 1960s as Central Poultry Breeding Farm with the primary objective of development and multiplication of high producing layer stocks, broiler stocks and turkey stocks. It was extended to cover ducks in the early 90s with technical collaboration from the Government of UK. This was to introduce high-yielding variety of ducks for the farming community.

It was with the extension of poultry to quails and emus, that the institute got emu farm and an ostrich brought in to breed.

Known for its best quality birds, the institute used to send birds to every nook and corner of the country as the place was known for its quality breeding. “Even when there were several other diseases which affected the poultry sector, there was not much of loss to the institute, but this is the first time we have been rendered helpless,” said a staffer.

As per the World Health Organisation norms, the entire institute will be cleaned by removing the litter. It will be kept vacant for at least three months, disinfected and fumigated before the State authorities declare it fit to resume work.

According to the guidelines to prevent the flu, the Deputy Commissioner should conduct an inspection and declare the centre safe and free from flu.