NETRAKONA: More than two hundred families at Kothurikona village of Tiyashree Union in Madan upazila of the district have become self-reliant by hatching duckling with hurricane lamp heat. The village is known as 'Hatchery Palli'. As it has proved profitable, more and more families are getting involved in this business.
Hatchery farmers first collect good-quality duck eggs. After collecting the eggs, they are cleaned in water and dried in the sun. The selected eggs are then lined up on a bamboo platform in a mud or brick house and covered with a mattress or thick cloth.
Hurricane lamp is placed under the scaffolding and adequate heat is given. When the eggs start hatching after 25 days, the cloth cover is removed. The eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days. Each one-day-old duckling is sold at Tk 20-30.
The number of ducklings produced in this method is not low. Although small, the innovation can play a role in rural economy.
Hadis Mia, son of Akkel Ali of Kothurikona village, first started hatching ducklings from eggs in his house in 1990 using hay and hurricane lighting. Later, more than a hundred people of the village adopted that method. Boys and girls in every family are engaged in this profession. Most families in the village have become self-sufficient.
Tiyashree UP Chairman Fakhar Uddin Ahmed said, "The occupation of the people of Kothurikona village is to raise ducklings. Most families in this village are now self-sufficient."
Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Masud Karim Siddiqui said, "Kothurikona village is known as Hatchery Palli. In this village, people of all ages can hatch in the manner of husk and hurricane. We train the people of this village at different times".
