Where goose rearing a tradition

You will hardly find any family in Meherpur that does not rear a goose in the homestead because rearing geese has become a tradition for them.

They do this as most of the inhabitants in many villages commonly rear domestic ducks in their house yard.

“Ponds without geese are like pools without water,” goes a saying in the area.

People in Meherpur, a southwest bordering district in the country, usually love to rear geese in their homesteads, according to Divisional Livestock Office in Khulna.

Goose rearing has gained popularity in several villages in Meherpur Sadar upazila.

If one travels through Kulobaria, Chandpur, Boikunthapur, Subolpur, Nishchintapur, Garadoba, Dariapur and Govipur villages he will find geese in every house yard, pond or even on the roads.

The Bhairab river provides an  added advantage for the purpose, villagers said.

“I rear 10 geese along with 15 local varieties of duck at my courtyard,” housewife Sabina of Garadoba village in Sadar upazila, said, adding that she does not have to put any extra effort for rearing geese as it requires the same care that her ducks need.

Like Sabina, housewife Shahida rears 12 geese, Sanwara 16, Momejan 36, Rahima 14 and Jalemon 18 geese at their courtyards.

Many of the housewives said a goose usually takes wide variety of foods like corn, rice and rice particles.

Besides, they also have a natural instinct to manage their foods individually, the added.

Arshad Ali, a local union parishad member, said goose rearing has gained popularity among many villagers as it has a good demand in the markets and adds financial benefits to their regular income.

According to the villagers, meat from an adult goose can weigh 4 to 5 kilogram and each kilogram of goose meat is sold for Tk 200 to Tk 250 in local markets.

A female goose lays 6 to 10 eggs two times a year, the said.

“People here are still rearing goose domestically, Meherpur District Livestock Officer Mrinal Kanti said, adding, “We would encourage anyone who wants to set up a goose farm.”