Jhenidah ATI students take interest in integrated duck, fish farming

JHENIDAH, Nov 04: Students at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Jhenidah, are showing their interest in integrated duck and fish cultivation. They are learning the farming process in the institute practically.

A total of 1,000 ducks are being raised in ATI pond, thanks to extensive care taken by the authority concerned.

Md Najim Uddin, sub-assistant instructor at ATI, who was in charge of supervision of the project said, "We are rearing the ducks in a suitable shade which is conducive to duck health, unlike the congested henhouse used in rural areas to accommodate many hens and ducks at the same small chamber."

Some of the ducks started laying eggs just as they were six months old. The number of eggs is on the increase.

"At present, we are getting 250 to 300 eggs daily from the seven-month-old ducks. In the near future 80 per cent of the ducks are expected to lay eggs at a time," Najim Uddin added.

An indigenous duck can lay 60 to 70 eggs a year while a Khaki Campbell duck gives around 300 eggs per year, sources said.

Though the cost of raising country ducks is the same and following the same rearing method, on average 300 eggs can be received from a Khaki Campbell duck, sources added.

"Now we need to spend over Tk 4,000 daily for feeding the ducks. But once most ducks - around 800- start laying eggs regularly, the birds will be fetching the us huge profit,'' Najim Uddin further added.

Md Abdul Kader, principal (in-charge) said that the students were being motivated to learn how to rear ducks in large numbers in a proper way.

He also said, "We brought 1,150 ducklings costing Tk 35 per piece seven months ago. And we have now around 1,000 ducks to rear.  The rest could not survive."

"A cooperative society comprising teachers and employees of the ATI is investing in raising ducks. The net profit will be divided into three parts. One portion will be submitted to the government exchequer, one will go to the cooperative society members while the third portion will be distributed among the students as educational assistance," Abdul Kader said.

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