Farmers’ attraction to Battai birds

Taplejung.

As small space, small investment, big income can be earned with less labor, the demand for Battai bird rearing is increasing in Taplejung. Demand for this specialty has grown significantly as a result of its high protein content in meat and eggs.

Premsin Tamang of Phungling Municipality-7 of Taplejung is making a good living by raising birds. He sold his mechanic shop in the district headquarters and started commercial farming. He has been selling batti eggs worth Rs 4,000 a year. Eggs are being sold in the market at Rs. 10 per egg. According to Tamang, they have been selling 200 to 400 per batai for meat. It has been two years since Tamang Battai, who has been opening a radio mechanic shop for a long time, started enjoying with birds. He has been raising more than 300 bats in his house. Tamang says that he is satisfied with the carpentry business as it will enhance the beauty of the house along with a good source of income. ‘Chicks had to be brought from other districts. “Many babies die when chickens are brought from outside the district, so I have started making hatching machines myself.

Similarly, seeing the good potential in the agricultural sector, Dilli Limbu of Phungling Municipality-5 has also started enjoying in the agricultural sector by selling a clothing shop which has been operating for a decade. Limbu has sold a shop and bought 100 ropanis of land in Phungling Municipality-8 and opened a commercial Mukkumalung Multi Agricultural Firm. The Limbu farm, which has been rearing Battai since its inception, has local chickens, Korathnath chickens, various breeds of goats and piglets. Commercially producing bananas, oranges, lemons and other fruits.

Battai birds are becoming a good source of income as they can be started with a small investment and the birds can earn a steady income after one and a half months.