Giving priority to duck farming

Duck farming is gaining popularity among village people. Duck eggs are bigger in size and have higher nutritional values than chicken eggs. So, these eggs are selling at a higher price. Duck meat is also a good source of animal protein. This is why eggs and meat of duck have high demand everywhere in the country, especially in Chinese restaurants.

Our topography is also suitable for duck farming. We need to use this as an opportunity to create self-employment. Thousands of youths are looking for employment in our villages. The government should come forward to train our youths to transfer know-how of duck farming and arrange micro-credits, supply quality duck chicks for eggs and meat to the interested youths. We need at least one breeder for one-day duck chicks in each district area so that duck farmers can get the chicks easily and at a reasonable price. If duck farming gets top priority, it will reduce the dependence on chicken eggs.

We have more than 4.5 thousand unions in rural areas. One interested youth (male and female) from each union maybe selected for household duck farming. Then, the government should arrange training programmes for them on duck rearing and give 500 ducklings to each trained youth for setting up duck farms. This programme will create at least 4,500 duck farms and the same number of families will get an opportunity to increase their income. We will also get enough duck meat and eggs at reasonable prices to meet our nutritional needs. So, I urge the authorities concerned to look into this proposal, which will encourage others as well to engage in duck farming.

Md Ashraf Hossain,

120, Middle Bashabo, Dhaka-1214,

tahrimanithi@gmail.com