BOGURA, Feb 20: Commercial duck rearing is gaining ground in village areas of the district as a good number of poor farmers have attained self-reliance from the venture.
The district livestock office arranges short-term training courses on duck rearing regularly so that people can set up their own farms and earn their living.
Hundreds of grassroots farmers in Dupchanchia, Nandigram, Sherpur, Adamdighi, Kahaloo, Shibganj, Sonatola, Sariakandi and Gabtoly upazilas of the district are engaged with duck rearing and making a handsome profit.
Dulal Hossain of Kahaloo upazila said duck rearing has changed his financial condition.
"Once, I had to work in the croplands as a labourer. Now I employ three people at my duck farm", he added.
Another rearer Asim Kumar Das of Nandigram upazila said he started rearing ducks last year after borrowing Tk 10,000 from one of his relatives.
"After one year I am in a profitable situation. I have already returned the money I had taken", he added.
A one and a half kg duck is selling at Tk 250 to Tk 300 in the retail market across the area whereas farmers usually spend Tk 150 to Tk 180 to raise it, said trader Akram Hossain of Gabtoly upazila.
A high official of district livestock office said the department encourages the grassroots people to start rearing ducks on commercial basis after taking training on the venture.
