Duck Farming: Opportunities, Constraints and Policy Recommendations

During early civilization, the localized expansion of human populations took place mainly along the river banks. Frequent encounter of human with waterfowl, especially ducks, led to domestication of this poultry species early, during first century BC in China. Duck farming is a major component of agriculture in paddy cultivating Asian countries. Ducks possess a number of advantages like disease tolerance, excellent wetland foraging ability and flocking behaviour. The synergy of duck is utilized as predator of insects and producer of natural fertilizer in paddy cultivation. The ducks reduce weed population and improve the physical property of the soil; altogether contribute to higher paddy yield and profit. On the other hand, shrinking water bodies, pollution of grazing fields, difficulty in sourcing of inputs like birds, feed and medicines, marketing hardships and disease outbreaks like epizootics of avian influenza are the major constraints. Comprehensive action plans and policies from the local governments like conservation of duck genetic resources, ensuring the supply of critical inputs like birds, feed, biologicals, medicines, veterinary services, finance and training, formation of Farmer Producer Groups and marketing supports like establishment of quality standards and grading are necessary to safeguard the interests of duck farming community.