Poultry farming is one of India’s fastest-growing industries, giving people across the country an affordable source of protein and providing jobs to millions. But the sector often runs into trouble whenever avian influenza, better known as bird flu, strikes. In recent years, the H5N1 strain has repeatedly hit Indian states, causing panic, heavy losses for farmers, and big disruptions in the poultry trade. The latest cases in Uttar Pradesh in August 2025 remind us that this problem is far from over. This article explains the current bird flu situation in India, the financial damage it causes, the weaknesses in farm-level biosecurity, and what steps are needed to protect both farmers and consumers.
Introduction
India’s poultry sector has grown into a powerhouse — worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore today. Eggs and chicken are not only an affordable source of protein but also a daily income for millions of small and large farmers. However, with this rapid growth comes a big challenge: disease outbreaks. Bird flu has been the most worrying among these. First detected in India in 2006, it has returned almost every year in different states. The recent detection in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, shows how quickly the disease can reappear, forcing culling of birds, lowering consumer confidence, and creating fear in the market.
The Current Situation in India
- Where outbreaks occur: Bird flu is no stranger to states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Kerala often reports frequent cases because it lies on migratory bird routes.
- Fresh outbreak: In August 2025, bird flu was confirmed in Prayagraj (UP). The state government immediately sent Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to cull birds and disinfect affected farms.
- Wild birds play a role: Since India lies along the Central Asian Flyway, migratory birds often carry the virus. Past incidents in Himachal Pradesh, where wild geese died in large numbers, show how nature itself contributes to the cycle.
Economic Impact on Indian Poultry Sector
The impact of bird flu goes far beyond sick birds:
- Direct farm losses – Whenever bird flu hits, thousands of birds are culled to stop the spread, wiping out a farmer’s income.
- Crash in demand – Fear spreads faster than the virus. In many cases, even healthy chicken and eggs remain unsold because consumers panic. In 2021, prices in some markets dropped by 50–60% overnight.
- Disrupted trade – Some states restrict the transport of birds and eggs during outbreaks, creating shortages in one region and oversupply in another.
- Hit to allied sectors – Maize and soybean farmers, who supply poultry feed, also feel the shock.
In short, the outbreak leaves a chain reaction of losses — from small backyard farmers to large integrated poultry companies.
Biosecurity Gaps in India
Despite knowing the risks, India still struggles with gaps in biosecurity — the protective steps needed to keep farms safe.
- Backyard flocks: Nearly one-third of India’s poultry is reared in backyards, often without proper housing or fences, making them vulnerable to infection from wild birds.
- Limited awareness: Many farmers can’t easily identify bird flu symptoms or don’t know how and where to report them.
- Weak farm practices: Measures like foot baths, vehicle disinfection, or controlled farm entry are often ignored.
- Testing delays: Though ICAR-NIHSAD in Bhopal is the main lab, transporting samples from far-off regions slows down confirmation.
- Compensation issues: Farmers whose flocks are culled often complain about delayed or inadequate payments, discouraging early reporting.
Government Response & Policy Measures
India does have a National Action Plan on Avian Influenza (2021 update) under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). The key steps include:
- Culling birds within a 1-km radius of the outbreak.
- Compensating farmers for birds that are killed.
- Restricting the movement of poultry products from affected zones.
- Running awareness drives to assure consumers that properly cooked poultry remains safe to eat.
However, the effectiveness of these measures depends a lot on the state. Kerala and Maharashtra act fast, but in many states, response is patchy and slow.
Future Strategies for India
India stands at a critical juncture in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in livestock and poultry farming. While progress has been made in surveillance, awareness, and regulation, the journey ahead requires coordinated and innovative actions. The following strategies can strengthen India’s fight against AMR:
1. Strengthening One Health Approach
India must adopt the One Health framework more robustly, linking human health, animal health, and the environment. Establishing dedicated One Health centers at state and district levels can ensure integrated monitoring of antibiotic use and resistance patterns. This will also encourage collaborative policymaking between veterinary, medical, and environmental authorities.
2. Expanding Nationwide Surveillance Networks
Although initiatives like ICMR and ICAR surveillance programs exist, they need to be scaled up to cover rural, semi-urban, and backyard farms. Building farmer-friendly reporting systems using mobile apps or SMS-based tools will allow real-time tracking of antibiotic use and emerging resistance hotspots.
3. Incentivizing Farmers for Prudent Antibiotic Use
Farmers often resort to antibiotics as a low-cost solution to disease management. Providing financial incentives, insurance schemes, and subsidies for vaccines and probiotics can reduce this dependence. Certification programs such as “Antibiotic-Responsible Farms” can also encourage compliance while improving consumer trust in Indian poultry and dairy products.
4. Promoting Alternatives to Antibiotics
Future strategies should prioritize the research and adoption of non-antibiotic interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, herbal extracts, bacteriophages, and advanced vaccines. India’s traditional knowledge of Ayurveda and ethnoveterinary practices could be integrated with modern science to develop cost-effective solutions for livestock health.
5. Education, Training and Behavioral Change
Farmers, paravets, and veterinary pharmacists need continuous capacity-building programs on biosecurity, hygiene, and judicious use of antimicrobials. Community-based awareness campaigns through radio, TV, and local cooperatives will be vital to changing farmer attitudes towards antibiotics.
6. Regulatory Reforms and Market-Based Approaches
Enforcement of bans on critical antibiotics for growth promotion must be strictly implemented. At the same time, India can introduce market-driven incentives, such as higher prices for antibiotic-free milk, meat, and eggs. Encouraging organized retail chains to label and promote antibiotic-free products will create demand-led change.
7. Investment in Infrastructure and Research
India should increase investments in veterinary diagnostics and rapid testing kits to enable early disease detection, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. Public-private partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies can accelerate the development of safer drugs and diagnostic tools tailored for Indian livestock conditions.
8. International Collaboration and Export Readiness
As India seeks to expand its export share in poultry, dairy, and meat, aligning with global AMR standards (OIE, WHO, Codex Alimentarius) will be crucial. Strengthening traceability systems through blockchain and digital platforms will ensure compliance with international markets, improving both trade and biosecurity.
Conclusion
Bird flu is not new to India, but its impact remains serious. The 2025 outbreak in Uttar Pradesh shows that the virus will keep returning unless farms, governments, and consumers all work together. Stronger farm biosecurity, faster detection, fair farmer compensation, and public trust are the keys to keeping India’s poultry sector safe. With poultry playing such a big role in nutrition and livelihoods, managing avian influenza is more than an animal health issue — it’s about food security, farmer survival, and public confidence.