Cumilla: What began as a fascination with the graceful dance of a peacock has turned into a thriving farming venture for Md Shah Ali of Homna upazila in Cumilla. In December 2019, Shah Ali, from Babarkandi village in Nilkhi Union, invested Tk 1.65 lakh to purchase a pair of peacocks, captivated by their colorful feathers and unique courtship displays. Over time, what started as a hobby evolved into a full-fledged peacock farm, boasting 85 birds with an estimated value of Tk 28 lakh.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shah Ali's journey into peacock farming began with the purchase of additional birds, eventually expanding his collection to seven. His dedication bore fruit, and the birds multiplied significantly. Today, Shah Ali's farm has not only gained local fame, with some referring to him as 'Peacock Shah Ali,' but it has also generated substantial income. He has already sold peacocks worth nearly Tk 24 lakh.
Shah Ali's farm, however, is not limited to peacocks alone. It includes cattle, goats, sheep, guinea fowl, and quails. Visitors from various regions frequent his farm, drawn by the allure of the majestic birds. Despite having studied only up to Class VIII, Shah Ali's early experiences helping his father with a cattle farm in Dhaka and buying and selling birds in Mirpur paved the way for his current success.
His initial investment in peacocks was modest, funded by savings from selling birds and cattle. The first pair of peacocks laid 18 eggs, resulting in 12 chicks. On returning to his village, he invested in building enclosures and purchasing more birds. His venture has required around Tk 10 lakh in investments for purchasing peacocks, feed, care, and construction of sheds, but it has yielded significant returns.
The price of peacocks varies, with pairs selling from Tk 50,000 to over Tk 1 lakh. The farm also generates income from selling peacock feathers and eggs. The monthly operation cost of the farm is approximately Tk 25,000, including the salary of a hired worker.
Shah Ali advises aspiring farmers to start small and gain experience before attempting large-scale operations. He emphasizes the importance of having an alternative source of income due to the irregular nature of peacock sales. Dr Md Shafiqul Alam, Homna upazila livestock officer, acknowledges Shah Ali as the sole peacock farmer in the upazila and assures regular support for his venture.