Rezaul Islam Montu has become self-reliant by setting up a quail farm in Naliardangi village of Magura Sadar upazila. Eggs from his farm now meet local demand and also go to Dhaka and other parts of the country. Because quail meat is tasty and nutritious, he also sells a thousand pairs of quail chicks every month. For financial reasons, however, he has not been able to expand the farm.

Many unemployed young men from the village have become self-reliant by working on the farm. Some come in the morning and go home in the afternoon. Montu and his two brothers have improved their own fortunes by giving their time to the farm.

Wholesalers say that because the eggs from the farm are a good size, traders from different places crowd into Naliardangi village. Sellers also profit from the eggs because of their good size and shape.

Rahman Sheikh, a van driver from the village, told Jagonews24 that the farm, built on two and a half acres (250 decimals) of land, has created jobs for 14 to 15 unemployed young men from the village. Several families are now living well. Many van drivers also work there: because they earn a fixed Tk 200 a day, they have given up carrying passengers to take up this work.

Montu told Jagonews24 that he first went into poultry and layer farming in 1996 but suffered financial losses. In 2001 he took training from Youth Development, and then, as a hobby, started afresh with a quail farm. He has kept the business going ever since and has succeeded. He has bought a house, land and even a tractor for farming.

Because quail farming carries less risk and more profit than poultry and layer farming, many local people are now thinking of starting quail farms. Young people in the area say one farm has also been set up in Sreepur upazila.

Magura Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Anwarul Karim told Jagonews24: "If these small farmers were given loans on easy terms or interest-free, along with better market arrangements, it would make a big difference to the country's economy." He also urged those concerned to take the initiative in running microcredit.

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