Md. Majem Ali Molin,
Hundreds of commercial duck farms have sprung up in Chalon-sur-Sane. The income of these farms has changed the lot of many people in 6 upazilas inhabited by Chalanbil. Many more people are entering this profession after the good days of the poultry farmers.
According to the Natore Livestock Office, there are 451 duck farms in the list of farms listed only in Chalon-sur-Sane. There are 10 to 15 thousand ducks in each farm. Hundreds of farms have also been set up at the family level outside the list. In addition to these farms, about 50,000 people in the region have lost their jobs.
According to statistics, there are 36,550 swans reared at the farm level. Besides, 6 lakh 57 thousand 592 ducks. Farmers started rearing these ducks from 1 day old due to lack of food at the beginning of monsoon. After 6 months, these ducks start laying eggs. Each duck lays 200 to 300 eggs a year. Apart from the expenses, the farmers earn more than 10 thousand rupees per month, i.e. about 1 lakh rupees per year.
Locals say there are hundreds of duck farms in addition to the official list. There are more than 1 million ducks in these farms. Unemployment of 50,000 people in the region has gone up in poultry farming. Increased income. The demand of the locals for meat is also being met.
Natore Animal Resources Officer Golam Mostafa said there are 150 duck farms in Singra of Chalanbil, 60 in Gurudaspur, 56 in Naldanga, 60 in Baraigram, 60 in Bagatipara and 55 in Lalpur. According to the climate of Chalanbil, more than three species of ducks are reared. Of these, the purest Campbell breed is the most reared. Besides, farmers are also keeping Indian runner and Chinese breed ducks.
He said the government is providing various kinds of assistance to the farmers in poultry farming. The number of duck farms is increasing. In addition to the commercial farm stage, about 50,000 families are involved in poultry farming at the individual level. There are 6 to 7 lakhs in these farms. Each family is earning a good income from a private farm.
Going to the spot, it has been shown that there are farms in different places of Singra, Gurudaspur, Baraigram and Naldanga beel of Chalanbil. Some people are raising ducks by making nets. In the morning, the farmers and the people associated with it go to Athai Bill with ducks. In the evening he came back to the farm laughing again.
Rokeya, a resident of Dighapatiya Ghoshpara area of Natore Sadar Upazila, said he kept 20-25 ducks. In the morning the ducks go to the next pond. Eats snails and oysters in the pond all day. He also gives some food himself. Apart from meeting the demand for eggs and meat of the family, he is earning income by selling ducks.
Sohag, a farmer from Ningin area of Singra upazila, said he keeps ducks all year round. Now his farm has 572 ducks of Campbell and Jinding breeds. Sohag bought a 4-5 month old duck. They start laying eggs from the age of 5 and a half months. Now his farm is laying 480 duck eggs. He has a profit of 3-4 lakh rupees per year excluding expenses.
Afzal and Abdur Rahim, another farmer, said that it costs about one lakh rupees to buy one day old chicks and make 500 eggs useful. However, when you start laying eggs, you don’t have to worry about the cost.
