Nepalgunj, Dec. 29: Udayaram Pun of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality–2, Madui, has set an example by earning an annual turnover of more than Rs. 3 million through pheasant (Kalij) farming, proving that it is possible to earn more by staying in the village than by going abroad.

Pun started the business five years ago with 200 pheasants, and he now has more than 1,500. 

He said his turnover last year was about Rs. 3 million and that he expects it to increase to between Rs. 3.5 million and Rs. 4 million this year.

After repeatedly trying to go abroad but failing due to fraud by agents and lack of funds, Pun began pheasant farming in his own village as an alternative to foreign employment. 

He said that the income from pheasant farming has been better than he had expected. According to him, demand for pheasant is very high, and production is being increased in line with the growing demand.

Pun recalled that he faced many difficulties in the initial stage of the business. He said that even after more than 150 of the 200 pheasants brought from Dang died during the first attempt, he did not lose courage. 

Now, Pun has been running a well-managed farm on two kaththas of land and has also installed his own hatchery machine. 

He regularly supplies pheasants produced on his farm to Banke and Bardiya, as well as to Surkhet, Kalikot, Jumla and Dailekh in Karnali Province.

According to Pun, day-old chicks are sold at Rs. 250 per chick. Roosters are sold at Rs. 2,500 per kilogram, while hens are sold at Rs. 1,250 per kilogram.

The demand has increased as pheasant meat has become a special delicacy in hotels in Banke.

Currently, Pun has kept 80 female and 25 male pheasants separately for breeding purposes. He said he is preparing to expand the business to an additional four kaththas of land starting next March.

According to farmers involved in the business, pheasant farming is gradually developing as an alternative source of income in Banke district.