Photo : Messenger
Establised in 1984 on a three-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Kurigram central bus terminal, alongside the Rangpur-Kurigram (RK) highway, the Regional Duck Breeding Farm (RDBF) in Kurigram has weathered adversity and transformed over the years.
Originally conceived as a poultry farm, it underwent a significant transition in 2017 when it shifted its focus to duck breeding.
The farm boasts an impressive infrastructure, comprising six layers of sheds, a grower shed with the capacity to accommodate 2000 ducks at 150 days of age, a brooder (referred to as brooder-1) designed for ducklings aged 0-90 days, an office-cum-residence center situated on the first floor, and a dormitory building on the third floor. Each layer has the capacity to house 3000 ducks, although at present, it accommodates only 950 adult-sized ducks. Additionally, there are 1153 ducks aged two months. The farm specializes in breeding two distinct duck varieties: Khaki Campbell (originating from England) and Zinding (originating from China). Notably, Khaki Campbell ducks are prolific layers, boasting an impressive annual egg production of between 230-250 eggs per year. All ducks raised here belong to high-yielding varieties, as indicated by official sources.
The farm primarily specializes in the sale of unfit eggs for hatching and aged or rejected ducks. Moreover, it actively encourages private duck farm owners to establish additional farms, both for the economic benefits it provides and to meet the growing demand for protein in the region.
The farm has managed to achieve significant sales figures, distributing approximately 8500 chicks per month. This year, it successfully met the target for layer duck rearing, set at 1000. Similarly, the objective for rearing one-day-old chicks for the year was 50,000, but it exceeded expectations, reaching 64,000 chicks. These one-day-old chicks are priced at Tk 25 each, with around 60-70 farm owners purchasing chicks from the farm every month.
Nonetheless, the farm grapples with several challenges. While the hatchery currently operates with two three-ton AC units, there is a compelling need for one more AC unit to optimize operational efficiency. Asaduzzaman, the Poultry Development Officer and Senior Assistant Director of Kurigram Duck Breeding Farm and Hatchery, underscores that the farm currently functions with only two office staff members instead of the intended five, necessitating additional personnel. The presence of iron-mixed water adversely affects production, with the potential for more promising results if fresh water were available. Furthermore, the farm currently lacks a drainage system for the disposal of wastewater, leading to the stagnant accumulation of dirty water, which poses the risk of incubating diseases among the ducks.
Messenger/Rabbani/Disha
