Woman self-reliant thru duck rearing in Kalai

Saud Talukder, Kalai (Joypurhat)

Rehena Bibi, wife of a farmer Abdur Razzak of Hatior Sardarpara Village in Ahmedabad Union of Kalai Upazila in the district, has become self-reliant through rearing duck.

After marriage, she had to live in her husband’s family amid much hardship. The husband had a little farming land, and they somehow managed their family by farming. Since her childhood, she cherished a strong desire to stand on her own and do something independently. In this connection, she started duck rearing. There was no flaw in her efforts. Among them was to leave poverty behind and move forward.

Rehena Bibi studied up to class eight. Her father’s house is in Bishnupur Village of Dhalahar Union in Joypurhat Sadar Upazila. She is a mother of two children. Eldest daughter Suraiya was married off after passing HSC. Son Riyad Hasan passed SSC with GPA-5 this year. During the Corona period, she was inspired by an online video of a woman rearing ducks. Then she decided to start a duck farm. She started rearing Beijing duck.

While visiting on the spot, it was found that Rehena Bibi was standing behind the house with a bottle of feed in her hand. A little later her son Riyad Hasan started feeding the ducks. With the money given by her husband and her own savings, Rehena Bibi started the journey of commercial duck breeding with 200 ducklings of different species around 2019. She had to spend Tk 57,200 to start the farm. Now she has 1,200 ducks in her farm.

After feeding the ducks, Rehena Bibi said that when the door of the farm is opened in the morning, the sound of the ducks flapping their wings is heard. There is an uproar in the whole house. She also said that her duck farming has gained a lot of recognition in the area. Now many people have started small duck farms, she has given them various advices. Many people still come to seek advice if they have a problem. She wanted to stand on her own. She has earned Tk 2.50 lakh by selling ducks and duck eggs.

Rehena Bibi’s husband Abdur Razzak said that it cost Tk 40 to 43 thousand to buy 1,200 ducklings. The farm needs three maunds of paddy, wheat or maize every day. Medicines and food cost about Tk 2,000 per day. It takes two and a half to three months to nurture. A pair of mature ducks is sold at Tk 500 to 600 wholesale rate. Excluding all the expenses, there is a profit of Tk 7 to 8 lakh per year. At present, the profit is less due to increase in the price of duck feed.

On the way, this correspondent talked with Alauddin Ghatak of the same village. He said, “From the beginning, we saw that this family used to run amid poverty. Currently, they are very happy with their family by rearing ducks.”

Nazmus Saqib (W), Ward No. 4 member of Ahmedabad UP, said, “Rehena Bibi’s duck farm is truly exemplary. They have become self-reliant by rearing ducks and are living happily. Inspired by their success, more duck farms are being set up. I hope that unemployment in the area will be removed.”

Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Hasan Ali said that Rehena Bibi and Abdur Razzak, duck farmers of Hatior Village, often come to his office for advice on duck rearing. Many times, he also gives advice over the phone. This family has become self-sufficient today due to keeping ducks for a long time. This family is an example of success as a farmer.