The year was 2022. Alongside his studies, Taijul Islam Ripon, a young man from Patirajpur village under Muladuli Union of Ishwardi upazila in Pabna, was working at RRP Feed Mill. After completing his Honors degree in Accounting from Ishwardi Government College, he left the job and began a feed business. This new business eventually inspired him to start duck farming.
In the same year, he established a duck farm on 1.5 bighas of his own land. Since a pond is essential for duck rearing, he also prepared one beside the farm. He started with 130 Khaki Campbell ducklings, marking the beginning of his journey toward self-reliance.
Using traditional or rural methods of duck farming, he faced no major complications; within just six months, he began getting expected results. The ducks matured and started laying eggs. As egg sales increased, the number of ducks also grew, and so did his income. Encouraged by the results, Taijul became more dedicated to improving the farm’s management.
A visit to the farm in Patirajpur found the “SRG Duck Farm” located beside the main road. The farm is fenced with thick steel wire on all sides. Inside the enclosure are open spaces for ducks to roam, a pond, and two separate structures—one for storing equipment and another for the caretaker.
Speaking to the farm owner, Taijul Islam Ripon said, “I started duck farming in 2022. While studying, I worked at RRP Feed Mill. Through that job, I developed the idea of duck farming. After completing my Honors degree, I left the job and built this farm. I began with 130 Khaki Campbell ducklings. Now I have 1,100 ducks.”
He added that he employs a full-time worker to look after the farm, with occasional day laborers hired for cleaning and additional tasks. A duckling becomes fully grown in three to three and a half months. In the wholesale market, each duck sells for Tk 400 to Tk 450. Over the past three years, he has earned several lakh taka from this business, he said. He also mentioned that the current batch of ducks will soon be sold, and from December, he plans to restart the farm with improved management and a fresh setup. His goal is to expand even further.
Despite the success, Taijul said duck farming does face challenges. Diseases like cholera occasionally appear, and he claimed that even after visiting the Upazila Livestock Office, he did not receive solutions. “A few months ago, cholera broke out among the ducks. When I informed the livestock officials, they said there was no vaccine available. Even when vaccines were in supply, they didn’t provide them,” he alleged.
Ishwardi Upazila Livestock Officer Akhlima Khatun said duck farming is increasing in Ishwardi as it is a profitable business. “If ducklings are raised with proper care, farmers can earn well. I have visited the SRG Duck Farm in Patirajpur and was impressed with the management. If Taijul maintains this system, he will benefit greatly,” she said. Responding to the vaccine complaint, she stated the allegation was not accurate. “If we don’t receive supplies, how could we provide them?” she added.
