Duck Farming: A Potential Source of Livelihood in Tribal Villa

Abstract

The Khaki Campbell an improved breed of duck was intervened in tribal village of Saraitoli, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The investment cost and return on duck farming were collected by administration of a well-structured data sheet for growth, feed, egg production, egg weight, egg consumed, egg sold, live bird sold on the body weight basis by the stakeholders. The data were analyzed and accordingly production efficiency was calculated. The average age of bird laid first egg at 151±2.11 days and body weight was recorded 1553±17.26 g. The first laid egg weight was found 61± 0.26 g, whereas after 36 and 52 weeks, it was found 62± 2.23 g and 64± 3.57 g, respectively. The average total egg production per bird was recorded 126.58 ± 1.87 numbers. The total cost of production was found INR (Indian rupees) 430.23 per bird and production cost per kg of live weight was INR 182.98. The cost of feed, 30 days old ducklings and medicine, transportation cost, etc was calculated about 56.35 %, 41.84 % and 1.81% of the total production cost, respectively. The gross return per bird was found INR 726.15. The net returns per live bird including sell of egg and fresh live weight was INR 295.92. The proportion of egg and meat gross income accounts for 35.21 % and 64.76 %, respectively. The gross expenditure incurred of INR 42,592.70 and gross income of INR 71,889.00 was found in duck farming. The net income obtained from the duck farming was INR 2663.30 /household/year with benefit –cost ratio of 1:1.69. The meat -feed ratio was found 3.44. The result revealed that duck breed Khaki Campbell intervention improved tribal people’s source of income and significantly contributes to rural livelihoods.