Although it looks much like a chicken, the guineafowl (titir) is in fact a bird. Known for its strong resistance to disease, this African bird is called the "China hen" in rural Bangladesh. It reached South Asia from Europe through British colonies, brought by the English.

The guineafowl is an ornamental bird, but rearing it is quite profitable. Shubharan Khatun, wife of Yunus, of Boalmari village in Natudah union of Chuadanga's Damurhuda upazila, has built just such a profitable commercial guineafowl farm.

She began rearing the birds after watching YouTube. Many people are coming from far away to see her farm. The woman entrepreneur has 300 guineafowl on her farm, and by setting up a commercial farm at her own home she has drawn wide attention in the area.

"Disease is rare and the birds grow in a short time," Shubharan Khatun said. "With government help it would be possible to hatch chicks from the eggs and spread this on a large scale. That would also meet demand for eggs and meat."

A visit to the farm showed that she set it up seven months ago by buying about 350 guineafowl. In seven months she has spent several lakh taka on the birds. Entrepreneurs and buyers are coming from far away to see and buy them. She has already bought a Tk 1.6 lakh machine to hatch eggs and sell the chicks, and she hopes each chick will fetch a good price.

"Guineafowl farming is very profitable," Shubharan Khatun said. "With little capital, the business pays in a short time. The birds can be raised easily in your own yard. Rearing them can end unemployment and make you self-reliant. The current market value of 350 guineafowl is about Tk 8 lakh. With government help the farm could be made bigger and more profitable. Many unemployed people are coming to the farm for advice. Everyone will be helped to set up a farm."

Her husband Yunus said: "Along with all the housework, my wife has made a success of the farm. I am impressed by her determination and interest in the work. I also help her on the farm. Many people come to see it and take her advice. The jobs and extra income have brought comfort to our family. My wife and I really started rearing these birds after watching YouTube."

Lijon Sheikh of the same area said: "At first she bought five to seven guineafowl as a hobby. Now she has about 350 on her farm. We want Shubharan Khatun to become a successful woman entrepreneur, and for people in our area and across the world to know her."

Mehedi Hasan Milon, a young man who came from neighbouring Karpasdanga union to see the farm, said: "Shubharan Khatun has built this farm and we came to see it. The guineafowl have started laying. Many people like me come to see the farm every day. We want the farm to inspire more entrepreneurs and help people become self-reliant."

Neighbour Sofia Begum said: "Shubharan rears these birds next to my house. There is a little noise, but otherwise no trouble. Many people come to see them. We will all rear them like Shubharan and succeed."

Dr Mihir Kanti Biswas, acting district livestock officer, said: "The guineafowl is a hobby bird. Rearing it needs a lot of care. We are giving such farmers every kind of support through the district and upazila livestock offices."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.