Duck farming is becoming a dependable source of income in Rajshahi, where farmers, rural women and unemployed young people are finding steady earnings from eggs, meat and small-scale livestock work. The growing demand for duck products, along with low production costs, has made the business attractive for many families who once struggled to find regular work. Some farmers are also mixing duck rearing with fish farming, which helps them earn more from the same land and makes the system more efficient. Government support has played an important role in this growth through vaccines, improved ducklings and technical advice that help farmers keep their birds healthy and productive. In Gopalpur village under Godagari upazila, Rakesh Babu shows how far the business can go. He began with only 175 ducklings and now keeps around 1,500 ducks. He raises ducklings for about four months until they start laying eggs, spends about Tk 5,000 a day on feed, medicine and wages, and collects roughly 900 eggs daily. That work now brings him nearly Tk 1.20 lakh a month, giving him a clear path after years of unemployment. In Mohanpur upazila, Rubel Islam also moved from day labour to duck farming and now earns Tk 20,000 to 25,000 a month from eggs and duck sales. His story reflects a wider change in the region, where more people are turning to livestock as a practical business. Farming experts say ducks are a great choice for this type of farm. They are really easy to take care of because they only need simple shelters. Ducks are also tough enough to handle all sorts of weather. Plus, feeding them is cheap! You can give them low-cost foods like boiled rice, broken rice, or rice polish. Teachers and animal health experts also point out that duck farming supports poverty reduction, creates jobs and improves family nutrition. Women, especially housewives, are becoming active in raising indigenous ducks at home, which adds income while keeping work close to the family. Some challenges remain, including high feed prices and shortages during the dry season, but experts believe that better use of natural feed, regular vaccination and balanced feeding can help farmers grow stronger businesses. With continued support and rising market demand, duck farming is giving Rajshahi a simple but powerful route to self-reliance and rural growth.
