Frequent diseases have added to the situation, reports The Daily Star. Sources said, forced by the costly expenditure, owners shut down more than 200 poultry farms in the area in the last two years, rendering several thousand people jobless.

Besides, a few more farms which are still in operation, are also facing closure for other problems.

Several hundred men and women set up more than 1,000 big, medium and small scale poultry farms at their own initiative in Chatmohor, Bhangura, Faridpur, Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara, Shazadpur, Gurudaspur, Singra and Atrai upazilas of the district in early 90s to get out of unemployment and poverty.

But business in the poultry farms nose-dived in recession since they were attacked by various diseases, including avian influenza, and affected by price hike of feeds and other inputs in the last two years.

Poultry farmer Abdur Rashid of Chhaikhola village said a baby layer which was priced at Tk 15 four years ago, is now Tk 80.

Similarly, a baby broiler was available at Tk 20, which is now selling for Tk 75.

Another poultry farmer Rafiz Uddin of Danthia village in Chatmohor upazila said, people involved in the industry have to count huge losses due to exorbitant prices of feeds and vaccines, apart from attack of various diseases.

Price of poultry feed was Tk 15 per kilogram four years ago, but it is now Tk 38-40.

Per kg maize is selling for Tk 13-27 and soybean at Tk 55, sources said.

Price of meat-bone meal has also increased to Tk 65 from Tk 32.

Small and medium level poultry farmers said, since there is no government policy for the poultry industry, Indian eggs, chicks and medicines have flooded the local markets.

As a result, small and medium scale farms were shunt after failing in the competition.

Farm owner Moinuddin Pramanik of Gurudaspur said, a good number of unemployed youths took bank loan and established poultry farms to become self-reliant.

But due to continuous losses, 50-55 per cent farms had to be closed down.

Admitting the increased prices of feeds, Tarash upazila livestock officer Amin Faruqi said that due to various reasons, poultry business in the area is facing a downturn.