Ducks drive away poverty

Farming of ducks along the Baleshwar river has brought financial solvency for many poverty stricken families of Tangrakhali village in Kachua upazila of the district.

Locals said nearly 40 farmers of Tangrakhali village and its adjacent villages are now engaged in duck farming as they can rear their birds in the nearby Baleshwar river and other marshlands and canals.

During a visit to the village this correspondent saw a youth was keeping a watch on some 400 ducks of Khaki Campbell variety in a local canal.

The youth, Hasib Sheikh, son of Gias Sheikh of the village, said, “We bring the ducks to the canal every morning and then to the marshlands along the Baleswar river where they eat fishes, oysters, snails and insects.”

“We start for home around 2:00pm and reach there in the evening,” Hasib added.

Gias Sheik, a duck farmer, said, “Most of the people do not know that ducks can lay more eggs than hens.”

“Farming of ducks can bring more profit than hens as ducks take 60 percent of their food outside the farm or home,” Gias added.

Farmers purchase each duckling for Tk 26 or so and feed the bird for the next seven weeks, he said.

The Khaki Campbell variety of ducks starts laying eggs in 18 to 21 week and it continues till the ducks turn one and a half years, Gias said, adding that after that they sell each duck for Tk 350 in local markets.

“I get 150 to 175 eggs daily and sell those to wholesalers for Tk 750 per 100 eggs. In this way, I earn Tk 40,000 every month, whereas I have to spend Tk 12,000 to Tk 13, 000 for their food and vaccination purpose, Gias said.

Jannati Akter, a madrasa student, said, “Gias uncle's success has encouraged many farmers of the village and they are also planning to start duck farming business.”

Bagerhat Livestock Officer (DLO) Dr Saifuzzaman Khan said the ducks of Khaki Campbell variety came from Indian Runner and Ruel Kagua variety and they are able to lay eggs more than the local ones.

“'We have provided training on duck farming to about 40 farmers. Besides, we are also supplying necessary vaccines for a token amount of money,” the DLO said.