Kendrapara: Minakshi Kabiraj Rai, a housewife of Kharinasi village of Mahakalapada block in this district, has become popular for raising her ducks in her rear yard.
She developed a fancy for ducks to meet her family needs. Subsequently, she took up rearing ducks as her occupation with 500 birds initially. At the end of the year, the number soared to 1000. Now, around 400 ducks lay eggs daily on an average and she sells them in Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Jajpur districts at the rate of Rs 10 per egg.
Minakshi’s husband helps her in the business. Many local farmers seek her advice to launch the business. “I bought ducks from a nearby farmhouse and my wife started the business. Ducks cost Rs 200 to Rs 500 depending on their size., but their price doubles in the winter season. The profit from the farm is around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum excluding expenditure,” said her husband Kalyan Rai.
Minakshi takes care of the finances and the farm along with her household affairs while her husband looks after marketing the products.
“We bought ducks from a farm and now they have multiplied into a thousand birds. I make a good profit selling eggs and ducks. I am happy that our business is doing well,” added Minakshi.
