Rangpur, May 18, 2025 :- There was a time when the family used to struggle. Even after cultivating paddy for two seasons of the year, the burden of debt remained behind. That reality has changed for Abdur Rahim (32), a farmer from Rahimapur village in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. He now earns about eight lakh taka annually by cultivating ducks and fish in his paddy fields.
Abdur Rahim's home is in Rahimapur village of Kursha Union, about seven kilometers from the headquarters of Taraganj Upazila in Rangpur. There, for 11 years, he has developed an innovative integrated farm - where fish and ducks are cultivated together along with rice. The
ducks eat the insects in the field and the duck droppings become food for the fish, and the movement of the fish keeps the soil soft, increasing rice production. This cycle has created an example of sustainable profit.
Abdur Rahim's father, Mujibur Rahman, was also a farmer. He managed to survive by cultivating rice on his three acres of land. He had no savings, but instead borrowed money from time to time to cover medical expenses and other urgent expenses. It was difficult for his son Rahim to think about these things. So after passing his Alim, he decided to try his hand at agriculture rather than chasing a job.
In 2013, Abdur Rahim focused entirely on agriculture. He kept thinking about ways to earn extra income besides paddy.
In continuation of this, in 2014, he bought 200 ducklings from Bamandanga, Gaibandha for 5,000 taka and dug a canal next to the land to build a duck house.
Abdur Rahim sold the ducks after 107 days and received 75,000 taka. After excluding expenses, his profit was about 50,000 taka.
This success made him even more courageous and enterprising. The next year, he started an integrated farm by building a dam on one acre of land. From here, with the right balance of rice, ducks, and fish, he earned one lakh taka in the first year. After that, Abdur Rahim never looked back.
Currently, his annual income is more than eight lakh taka. His farm produces rice, fish and ducks. People in the area now know this successful farmer as a 'guru' of integrated farming. Many have started similar farming on his advice.
Farmers Emdadul Haque, Ashraful Islam, Moniruzzaman, Abu Taleb, Safi Ullah, Badsha Alam and Mostafa Kamal of Rahimapur village have now brought prosperity to their families by cultivating ducks and fish in paddy fields. Many farmers from the neighboring Bishnapur and Joy Bangla villages have also joined this path.
Ashraful Islam said, 'Paddy is now cultivated in arable land. Paddy is cultivated at the expense of ducks and fish. In addition to paddy, ducks and fish farming on 40 acres of land, an income of 1.5 lakh is generated.'
Farmer Abu Taleb has been farming for seven years. Although he made losses at first, he later achieved success with the advice of Abdur Rahim.
He said, "I get more income from ducks and fish than from rice. After a year, I save a lot of money."
Upazila Agriculture Officer Dhiba Rani Roy said, "Integrated farming reduces the use of pesticides on the land, which protects the environment. Rice, fish and ducks - all three are safe. Many people are now benefiting from the path shown by Rahim."
Upazila Livestock Officer KM Iftekharul Islam said, "Abdur Rahim's farm is now an inspiration for the area. If his model is spread, many more farmers will benefit."
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