Quest for self-reliance

Three unemployed youths started rearing ducks in the Karatoa river three months ago to materialise their dream of becoming self-reliant.

The close friends started their venture at Rahimabad Dakkhinpara in Aria union under the upazila through taking loans from banks and individuals.

The youths are Nayan Mia, 24, son of Sabed Ali, Ariful Islam, 23, son of Iman Ali of Rahimabad village, both are students at Government Azizul Haque College, and Golam Mostafa, 23, son of Abu Jar Ali of the village and a student of local Demajani Degree College.

They encircled six decimals of land on the bank of the Karatoa River at Demajani area and have been rearing over six hundred ducks there.

Nayan said they started rearing ducks at the suggestion of the livestock department in the district, adding that they borrowed Tk 1.5 lakh.

They feed wheat, maize and vitamin-enriched food to the ducks, and the ducks have been vaccinated, added Nayan.

Mostafa said they have 80 male ducks and 520 female ducks, adding that the females will start laying eggs within two months, which will continue for six months. They will lay eggs again after two months, and this will continue for two years. They are hopeful of getting good profit selling eggs, Mostafa added.

“Initially, some ducks became sick and died, but the 600 ducks we have are well as they have been vaccinated,” added Mostafa.

His father of Abu Jar said they are very excited about the attempt of his son and his two friends to remove joblessness.

Aria Union Parishad Chairman Atiqur Rahman Atik said the three youths are an example for the unemployed youths of the district.

Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Nargis Khanom said they have been advising the owners of the farms to vaccinate 40-day-old chicks.