SIRAJGANJ, Dec 11: A good number of poor people in the district are now self-reliant by rearing duck at their homestead.
The district livestock office source said some 1,200 people from 450 families are engaged with duck rearing and earning a good amount of money. Their socio-economic condition has improved and they are living a better life.
"The duck rearers, who had struggled with acute financial scarcity five year ago, are now in a better condition," said Muslim Samad of Kazipur upazila.
Rearers collect ducklings from nearby brooder at Tk 15 to Tk 20 per piece. A matured duck is being sold at Tk 290 to Tk 300 in the retail market while the wholesale rate is Tk 250 to Tk 260.
A famer can grow around 1,000 ducklings in 1,000 square feet space. But, if they grow the duck for eggs, they need 3,000 square feet area. Rearing the birds on commercial basis is increasing in the area.
Farm owner Murad Hossain of Ullapara upazila said he started rearing some 200 ducklings spending Tk 25,000 two years ago. One year later, he made a profit of over Tk 30,000.
Duck rearers of the area said they want to expand their farm but high price of fodder hampers the initiative.
An official of local livestock office said, "Duck rearing plays a vital role in the area. It attained solvency to a numbers of families."
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