Commercial duck farming gains popularity in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Nov 17: In the wake of gradual increasing demand and lucrative market price, commercial duck farming is gradually getting very popular among the farmers, specially the unemployed youths, in Rajshahi region.
In farming, they are applying a mixed method- duck along with the fish. This method is more profitable in commercial duck and fish production.
The eggs and meat of duck have a great demand in local markets. So, the duck farming business is being adjudged a great source of earning. In mixed method cultivation, one can earn quick profit from duck and fish farming easily, fisheries officers said.
Abdur Rahim, a commercial goose farmer of Godagari Upazila here, said that he did a good profit by duck farm. He started his farming with 1,000 goose babies near the bank of pond of his house at Habaspur village. He has started getting profit several months later. Then he made a house for duck farming and started goat farming.
Showing his success, many unemployed youths have started duck farming at Nabogram, Gogram and Habaspur village of the upazila. Many of them have taken it as commercial farming and changed their lot by farming duck in a short time.
Duck farming is less expensive, simple and risk free.  As a result, many youths are showing interest in commercial duck farming applying mixed method, he added.
According to the fisheries officials, in the mixed method, duck and fish farming is very profitable. Farmers can earn a quick profit in a short time in commercial duck farming. If anyone makes duck with fish farm together, the cost is less as fishes eat up all the rest foods of duck and its dust.
A goose gives 90 eggs generally, but some species can give 250 to 300 eggs. There are various species of duck here including Indian Runner, Chamble, Shylet Mity and Nogershori. These species of duck give eggs from five months to two years.
Farmers can use mixed method, intensive method or in an open water. In the method of open water land, it is possible to rear up 25 to 100 ducks. In intensive method, it can be possible to farm one lakh to 10 lakh duck.
If the project is started in a pond for 100 to 200 duck, then the costs will be Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000. If anyone takes the right care, it is possible to earn Tk 20,000 to Tk 50 thousand taka in the first year excluding all expenses, they added.
Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Saiful Islam said that country's weather is very favourable for duck farming.  Duck meat and eggs are much popular. Currently it has gained a lot of popularity. So, the unemployed youths are showing interest in duck farming and which is gradually increasing in Rajshahi region, the officer added.