Alappuzha: The Kuttanadan duck is a favourite brand of Keralites because of the tasty dishes made out of it. But now ducks from Tamil Nadu disguised as Kuttanadan are being lined up all over Alappuzha by traders to make a killing during this Christmas season.
John, a duck seller in Kainakari, says, “there is a dearth of local breed because several duck farmers had given up business due to the monsoon floods.”
Rajan, a farmer, says, “the imported ducks tagged as Kuttanad breed can be seen everywhere in water bodies near paddy fields. They are mostly available on the Alappuzha-Changanassery road. The current rate of a duck is Rs 250 which could go up soon,” he says.
Dr A. Jalaludheen, director of academics and research, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, said a team of scientists was conducting a study on Kuttanadan duck breeds to revive duck farming, promote backyard duck rearing and make people aware of waterfowl products and effective control of vector-borne diseases.
Laiju Daniel of Alappuzha says the meat and bones of Kuttanadan duck are harder and tastier than the hatchery-bred ones. Many of the Kuttanadan ducks sold in nearby districts of Alappuzha are also from Tamil Nadu, he says.
Dr Chandran Kutty, Director of animal husbandry department, told DC that the import of ducks can’t be banned. “The government policy is to conserve traditional products. Hence, the department stresses the sale of locally-bred ducks and eggs,” he said.
