Nomadic herded duck production as a livelihood tool in some selected areas of Bangladesh: A case study
S M Rahman, S K Fouzder and N R Sarker
Date : 2017-03-13 Volume : 9

Recently popularized nomadic duck production systems in Jamuna Floodplains of Sirajgonj and Pabna districts and the lower Padma basin in Faridpur and Madaripur districts were studied. Direct interviewing and FGD (Focus Group Discussion) was carried out to obtain required data for assessing the profitability of farming, feeding and management practices in the selected areas. The flock size varied from 146-687 number farmer-1 depends on the economic base of each farmer. The farmers were categorized into three depending on their number of ducks farm-1. Averaged price of each duckling was BD Tk. 25.55. Nomads usually moved from place to place for searching natural feeds enriched area from the start of monsoon to mid-autumn. During nomadic rearing, a lump sum amount of supplementary feeds such paddy, wheat and maize grains were supplied in the afternoon after day-long scavenging. The egg production was varied with seasons and availability of natural feeds. Economic analysis revealed that a farmer reared 285 ducks was obtained an gross return of Taka 330 450 per year. Non-availability of ducks vaccines and ducklings were the major problems identified in the nomadic duck production system in the areas. It may be concluded that nomadic duck farming is a profitable enterprise and is providing a huge contribution in family income, nutrition and overall livelihood of the farm families in the study. 1487662950.php