June 13: 77 percent of commercial poultry farms in Nepal are operating without registration, finds a  new survey. The 'Poultry Survey' commissioned by Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) published on June 12  reveals that out of 21,956 farms in the country, only 5,040 have been registered. According to the CBS report, there are about 600 million chickens in poultry farms across the country during the review period. Out of them, about 500 million are broilers, 69 million layers and the remaining belong to other species of chickens.  The new CBS statsictics shows there are more number of poultry farms in province number 3 on the provincial basis. The bureau reports that 7,668 poultry farms are being operated throughout the province.

 Ambika Basyal, Director of the Agricultural Statistics branch of CBS informed the the survey has been conducted for the first time in the country. The survey aims to find out investment and expenses made in the Nepali poultry industry while also to estimate the production of meat, eggs and chicks. Similarly, also targets to find out data on employment generation and the industry's contribution to the national economy. The survey which was carried out  between 2013-2014 includes 64 districts. According to survey, the distrcits such as Solukhumbu, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa, Jajarkot, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Achham, Bajura and Humla have not yet started commercial poultry.

During the review period, the survey found that the poultry entrepreneurs earned a total of Rs 33.72 billion while the total amounted to Rs 26.88 billion. The CBS statistics shows that the large portion of expenditure is covered by the purchase of grains and chicks. According to the report, the value addition of  the industry is Rs 6.83 billion annually.