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AI Outbreak in West Kalimantan
Pontianak - One after another, problems hit poultry farmers in West Kalimantan. Besides avian influenza wrecking havoc in farms, there are also cases of smuggled day old chicks (DOC) from Malaysia.
“I have suffered a loss of Rp 120 million after 5,000 of my chickens died. The AI outbreak happened fast and severe. In one night I lost 1,000 chickens,” said Muhari Yanuar (35), a chicken farmer in Mempawah, Pontianak district.
This outbreak is only one of the many troubles haunting chicken farmers. In Mempawah, Pontianak district, at least 25,000 birds suddenly died in the last 2 weeks. Testing of samples confirmed that the incidence was caused by avian influenza.
“Not only small farmers like us, but many large farms in Pontianak are suffering avian influenza outbreaks. Only, they have managed to clean up the dead chickens overnight so it seems as if they aren’t affected and are not recorded,” said Muhari.
Head of the Livestock and Animal Health Service Office of West Kalimantan, Abdul Manaf Mustafa, suspected the virus was introduced by poultry from outside the island.
“The agricultural quarantine agency can only control poultry transported through official harbors and entry points into West Kalimantan. Meanwhile, there are many local harbors along Kapuas River that can serve as entry points for poultry from outside the island,” said Manaf.
The Livestock and Animal Health Service Office of West Kalimantan has prohibited the importation of poultry from outside the island to prevent avian influenza virus introduction after West Kalimantan was certified free from avian influenza by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2010.
“But, in several inspections, we have found poultry at local harbors. One of the birds we found positive for avian influenza, it was in Rasau Jaya, Kubu Raya district,” said Hazairin.
Adding to that problem is DOC smuggling from Malaysia. Authorities discovered the chicks in a poultry shop in Puring Market, Pontianak city, last Wednesday (9/2/2011).
The owner, Sood (67), admitted buying the chicks from Kuching, Serawak state, Malaysia for Rp 5,000 and was planning to sell it at Rp 6,000, far lower than local market price which is Rp 8,250. “I ordered the chicks to the owner and asked it to be delivered to Pontianak, but I don’t know the delivery process. As far as I know, the chicks were transported using a truck with various other items,” said Sood.
Head of the Action and Monitoring Section of Class I Agriculture Quarantine Agency of Pontianak, Faisyal Noer, said the smuggling was well planned. The chicks were transported along with many other items, making it difficult for officers to detect.
“In fact, we have a quarantine post in Entikong, Sanggau district. Agricultural commodities and products are checked there by officers,” said Faisyal.
General Chairman of the Poultry Agribusiness Association of West Kalimantan, Bambang Mulyantono, said that poultry farming is an economic force in West Kalimantan. Every month, approximately 3.5 million birds are supplied by farmers to the market.
“But, farmers are still facing many troubles in their business. Avian influenza and smuggled day old chicks and chickens are still a problem,” said Bambang. (Agustinus Handoko | Ed. Yuli)
Source : Kompas [edited]