Now, AP ducks wade into Telangana territory

Kothagudam: Duck-rearing is the only way they know to eke out a living. When the life becomes tough in their native place of Kandukuru in Prakasam district due to poor rainfall and crops failing on that count, they prefer to migrate to Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Suryapet and other districts in Telangana herding ducks with them. Such migrants are thriving in the Bhadrachalam agency area selling duck eggs.

Among them are a couple, Peramdasu and Lakshmi of Kandukur in Prakasam district who have moved to Telangana after crops failed during the last three years. The couple is able to earn their livelihood selling duck eggs.

Peramdasu and Lakshmi told The Hans India that they were among the 50-60 families from Kandukur who have made duck-rearing and sale of eggs as their main source of generating income. They said the families were selling an egg at rates varying from 50 paise to Rs.2 depending on the demand.

These migrants pitch tents close to the highways near the fields. They take care to fix a special fencing for ensuring safety of the birds from unwelcome visitors while resting in their makeshift dwellings during nights.The couple expressed anguish that that these families have been forced to migrate for feeding their kith and kin, disregarding the vagaries of nature during the monsoon and summer seasons.

At the same time, Peramdasu and Lakshmi say with pride that these families are able to ensure continued education of the younger members by keeping them with their family members in their villages. At times, these families send ducks to Chennai when there is a jump in their prices.