The turkey is a specialised foreign bird. In the developed world, especially Europe and America, it is hugely popular and in great demand, and in Bangladesh its popularity and demand are growing by the day. Turkeys adapt easily to the country's climate. From a health point of view the meat is also well suited, being relatively low in fat and cholesterol. As a way of meeting the country's demand for meat, especially as an alternative to broilers, the turkey is tasty and full of promise.

Turkeys are also cheap to raise. They eagerly eat soft leaves, grass and vegetables, and their disease resistance is good. If vaccines against Ranikhet, fowl pox and certain other diseases are given on time and the birds are kept in a clean environment, the chance of infection is very low. The risk is therefore small and the profit higher. Besides farm rearing, a few birds can comfortably be kept free-range at home.

Many young people across the country have now set up turkey farms, and some keep a few at home as a hobby. This is changing the fortunes of many unemployed young men, and many families have become better off.

Purely as a hobby, Rezaul Karim Khan and Rakib Khan, sons of Abdul Aziz Khan of Nali village in Arua union of Shibalaya upazila, Manikganj, have built a turkey farm together. Rezaul Karim Khan is a schoolteacher, while Rakib Khan is a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in the capital. Their farm now has about 150 turkeys of all sizes.

Many interested people from surrounding areas crowd in to see the farm, and seeing them, many are dreaming of starting turkey farms of their own. Rezaul Karim Khan told Jagonews24: "I was keen to work with turkeys from before. Thanks to Rakib's studies we were able to set up the farm easily. We have taken all the steps needed to produce quality turkey chicks and for farming."

Upazila livestock officer Dr Rezzakul Haider told Jagonews24: "Turkeys are gradually becoming more popular and in demand in our country. Many people like them are setting up turkey farms. We hope the turkey industry will soon find a good place in the country."

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