Turkey bird farming benefits grassroots farmers 

Turkey bird farming is gradually gaining popularity in Rajshahi region as it is more profitable than other poultry farms along with low farming costs, taking less space for rearing the birds and less risk of diseases.

Local sources said rearing the birds has brought diversification to the existing field of poultry birds farming as many people have changed their fortunes.

The grassroots farmers, particularly the ethnic minority and other marginalised ones, have been rearing the birds side by side with other native ones after taking advantage of more profit commercially boosting its popularity among the farmers and consumers.

Ashraful Islam, a farmer in Dargapara area under Bagmara upazila, has been operating a turkey bird farm successfully. After starting the business with 45 birds, he is now the owner of 120 birds worth around Tk 3.5 lakh with a gap of only three to four months.

With his curiosity, he bought turkey chicks from Joypurhat and the birds started laying eggs at the age of three months. He said the eggs are being hatched in an incubator machine. He is earning more than Tk one lakh through selling both adult birds and
chicks per month.

Azizul Alam Bentu, another Turkey bird farmer in Haragram area of Rajshahi city, said farming the bird is suitable for small and marginal farmers as it can be easily grown in an open space or under a semi-intensive system.

He started the farm with 43 turkey chicks a year ago. In nine months, he started selling chicks and eggs. He said that currently there are 415 big turkey birds, and 275 chicks on his farm. He gets 125 to 150 eggs per day.

Bentu said that many people, especially youths and housewives are building farms taking eggs and chicks from him. Every day, people come from neighbouring areas to take eggs, and chicks and advice about turkey farming.

He said one pair of chicks aged one month can be sold at Tk 2,000, and for two months, it can be sold at Tk 3,000.

Apart from Ashraful Islam and Bentu, many others, including youths and housewives, have brought happiness to their respective families through turkey bird farming in the region.

Divisional Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Nazrul Islam said turkey birds grow very fast in a short duration. Currently, every kilogram of turkey meat in the market is being sold at Tk 500 to Tk 550.

In five months, the weight of a turkey bird stands at five to six kg, whose market value is Tk 3,000 to 3,500.

Besides, the expenditure on turkey farming is very low. The birds eat the same foods that are available in the market for other poultry chicken.

Turkey birds also eat grass and vegetables. As a result, farmers do not have to depend only on the market's food.

Dr Islam added that it can be kept in open areas. The possibility of contracting diseases in turkey birds is less. So it needs less medicine.

Prof Dr Jalal Uddin Sarder, Dean of the Veterinary and Animal Science Faculty at Rajshahi University, said turkey bird farming is gaining popularity among youths and housewives in the area.

Commercial turkey farms have been developed in the city area and its outskirts as well as different upazilas in the district. More than 200 turkey farms have been established here in the last year.

Besides, many people have started keeping the bird in their houses on a small scale.

He also said substantial and sustainable farming of the birds can be a vital means of poverty reduction by ensuring the supply of safe and quality poultry meat and eggs. The meat of turkey birds contain very low-fat, so its consumption is good for health.