Self-reliant through quail rearing

There's a wise saying: Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

Meet Mahbubul Alam Naeem, a post-graduate from Dhaka University, who has set an example for jobless youths. He had to go through the typical ups and downs of life after completion of his formal education but nothing can bring him down.

Once frustrated, Naeem now can earn about Tk 48,000 a month by rearing quails. The 35-year-old is now the inspiration for many jobless young people of his locality.

The tranquil journey of his struggle began with two quails, said Naeem, a resident of Shikder road area in Kalapara upazila headquarters.

“After completing my Masters in Information Science and Library Management in January 2016, I joined an international non-governmental organisation. As it was a project- based job, I worked there for about 16 months,” he said.  

After the project was over, he became very frustrated over getting new job and, at one stage, he returned home, said Naeem.

“One day, I bought two quails from local bazar and started rearing them out of curiosity. Later on, the idea of quail farming business struck my mind. I set up a farm at my home compound and started the business with 600 young quails spending Tk 50,000 in the mid of 2017, and since then I have not looked back,” he said.

“At present, there are 1,200 quails in my farm and I earn over Tk 40,000 every month from there. Apart from the expenses, my net income is now Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 per month,” said a smiling Naeem.

He gets at least 800 eggs a day from 1,200 quails. He sells each egg at Tk 2 and earns Tk 1,600 daily. Apart from this, he sells each full grown quail at Tk 70 to Tk 80.

A quail lays at least 320 eggs in a year and that is very profitable, Naeem said, adding that besides quails, there are ducks, hens and pigeons in his farm. He also cultivates fish.

“There's a kind of pleasure in business as I'm now self-reliant. Besides, it is very good for me as I am earning better than a job,” he said.

There's a huge demand for quail's eggs and its meat in the local market as it is nutritious, said Naeem.

Local youth Forkanul Islam said Naeem's success really inspired a number of jobless youths. Many young men of the locality have already decided to rear quail after seeing his success.

Upazila Livestock Officer Md Habibur Rahman said, “Naeem often comes to us and we provide him technical support.”

Quail rearing is popular in the area considering its local market demand, he said.