PABNA, Feb 18: Poultry farming has been playing a vital role in poverty alleviation in the district for long.
According to the district livestock office sources, over 3,000 small, medium and large poultry farms were set up across the district over the last few years.
More than 12,000 people in the areas are engaged with poultry farming directly and indirectly, sources added.
Poultry farmer Abu Raihan of Sujanagar upazila said he begun the business last year spending approximately Tk 0.1 million.
He started with 20009 chicks and sold some mature hens two months at Tk 0.2 million.
The farmer said poultry farming is profitable. It is possible to make handsome profit from it every month.
Wholesaler Lokman Hossain of Faridpur upazila said farmers are geting fair price of hens and eggs this season.
A huge number of hens and eggs are being transported to different kitchen markets in Dhaka every week, he added.
During a recent visit this correspondent found Pakistani hen is selling at Tk 200 to Tk 250 per kg and broiler hen at Tk 140 to Tk 175 per kg.
Each hali (four pieces) of egg is being sold at Tk 31 to Tk 32 in the retail market while Tk 28 to Tk 30 in the wholesale market.
"I started rearing 1,000 hens at my own farm set up on 20 decimals of land two years ago. I spent Tk 50,000 in this connection," said farmer Salam Hossain of Atghoria upazila.
"I have already made some Tk 60,000 profit", he added.
To grow a two-kg broiler hen, farmers usually spend Tk 200 to Tk 210 and sell it at Tk 300 to Tk 320, said a livestock official.
The district poultry development officer said present market price is encouraging the grassroots people to get engaged with the initiative.
President of the district Poultry Owners' Association said poultry farming has already changed the socio-economic condition of the farm owners.
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