Many people of the flood-prone district have got involved in duck farming as they found it more profitable than other businesses.

They have set an example of how one can change their fate by rearing ducklings.

Those who are involved in the business have now met the demands of running their family and are also saving money for their future.

Sources said there are 4500 duck farms in nine upazilas of the district and most of those have been set up by the youth on their own initiative to solve their unemployment problem.

People who are involved in duck farming said they bought ducklings at a cost of Tk 20-25 from the local market and sold them after rearing for three and half months.

They have to spend Tk 90-110 for the duck feed and other costs while one piece duck is being sold at Tk 400-450 which brings them a handy profit per piece of ducks.

Besides, those who are involved in releasing their ducks in the nearby waterbodies have earned much from the others as they have to count less in feeding purposes.

Sajedul Islam, 28, a resident of Sitaijhar village in Sadar upazila became self-reliant and changed his life by rearing ducks, setting an example for others in his locality.

Sajedul said: “I belong to a poor family and when I read at class VII my father passed away. I was the younger son among the five children of my parents. I obtained my SSC in 2009 and could not continue my study due to poverty. Later I got involved in the duck farming business following the advice of an elder brother of my locality two and half years back.”

“At first I bought some ducklings from Gaibandha after taking loan from others and started my farm with 100 ducks. Now there are 400 ducks in my farm. I used to buy 300 ducklings now and sell them after rearing them for three months. I have earned Tk 90,000 to one lakh while spending Tk 30-35 thousand as expenditure cost which helps me to manage my family. I can also save money for the future,” he said.

He also dreamt of making a big farm on a vast tract of land. “It would have been better for me if I get some assistance from the government,” said Sajedul.

Like Sajedul, Sakimuddin, another young man of Shulkur Bazar in the upazila have got involved in duck farming to remove his unemployed status. He is now an owner of 400 ducks. Of these, there are 200 ducks of the Khaki Campbell variety.

“I divided my farm into two side...200 Khaki Campbell ducks for rearing while 200 others for selling eggs. I got 150-200 eggs everyday from my farm. I also get profit by selling duck eggs as the demand of eggs is high in the local market,” said Sakimuddin.

However the new ones who got involved in duck farming like Ashraful Alam of Kadamtala village in Panchgachi union of the upazila did not see any success due to the coronavirus  pandemic situation.

“I have started my business with 3,500 ducks but I failed to rear those up due to recent floods which caused the deaths of many ducks. I have bought some ducklings again after selling the previous one at my farms with a hope to come back.”

Rashid Ali, another duck farmer said “I have been doing this business for the last six years with 200 khaki Campbell ducks and I release my ducks to my pond which helps me to spend less than other farmers on feeding purpose.”

Delwar Hossain, Chairman of Pachgachi union, said “Sajedul is an active boy and he conquers his unemployment by rearing ducks. Like him many young men have got involved in the business.”

Dr Mohammad Abdul Hye Sarkar, Kurigram District Livestock Department officer, said, “There are 450 small and big duck farms in the nine upazilas of the district. The number of duck farms has increased every year as it is proved to be a profitable business.”

“The farmers are given proper advice to rear their ducks and the work to send the list of farmers for stimulus packages announced by the government due to Coronavirus, is underway and once they get the government assistance they will be more benefitted during the pandemic coronavirus situation,” he said.

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