The Reptiles Farm Ltd (RFL) has started commercial raising of crocodile at Hatiber village in Uthura union in Bhaluka upazila to export their meat, skin and bones.

It imported 75 adult crocodiles from Malaysia last month. Of these, 60 are female and 15 male. One male crocodile died during import, sources in the company said.

It has bought 13 acres of land and dug 14 ponds in four acres, where the crocodiles have been kept. The ponds have been dug in three steps with curving banks for easy and natural movement of the crocodiles.

It would take at least six years to start export, RFL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mushtaq Ahmed told this correspondent during a visit to the farm on Saturday.

"We launched the project after a survey and have already spent Tk 1.25 crore."

Mushtaq said the climate and environment of Bangladesh is very much suitable for crocodile farming.

"It can earn a huge amount of foreign exchange like other vital sectors like garments and frozen food.

"Crocodile has a 75 billion US dollar market in the world and our country can easily have a big slice of it every year" he said.

Rearing a crocodile for three years after hatching will cost Tk 20,000 to 25,000 and it's meat, skin and bones will be sold at around Tk 50,000 after processing, he said.

There are good markets in Australia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Japan and Singapore. These countries now meet demands through import.

"Crocodile may open a new horizon in export earning", he said.

Mushtaq said he got the idea from one Rommo Rahim in 2002 and was later inspired by Anisuzzaman Khan of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"We have plenty of salt water crocodiles, which have highest skin value among 23 species", Mushtaq said.

He said the 60 female crocodiles are expected to lay 1800 eggs next year. Three months will be needed for hatching the eggs through artificial process at RFL.

Dr SMA Rashid, Director and Chief Scientific Officer (CSF) of RFL said they have a plan to export over 5000 crocodiles annually to earn around 50 million US dollars. Another mission of the farm is to support conservation by breeding endangered species of crocodiles. A research wing will also be added soon, he said.

The farm will also be a recreation spot for visitors, they hoped.

Megbahul Haqul, Chairman of the company, said RFL would also provide training to interested persons on crocodile rearing, which will expand the business in the country and earn foreign exchange and create jobs.

Twenty-five people including seven technical hands are now working in the farm.

Shetol Kumar Nath and Hasan Zahid Chowdhury of the company said the crocodiles are given 300kg feed two days a week. These include poultry birds, fish and meat. Water of the ponds are replaced timely.

The RFL has also a plan to start snake farming. Snake venom and skin are very costly and have good export potential, they said.

RFL Consultant Prof. Abdur Razzaq said crocodile farming has created great enthusiasm in the area and people are extending all out cooperation.

Shah Bazlur Rahman, Chairman of the local Union Parishad, said he is giving all out support to the new venture. This will create jobs.

Md Shams Sadik Roman, a computer graduate from Bangalore in India, said this will ultimately contribute to development of his village. Young businessman Liton Chowdhury at Uthura Bazar was equally enthusiastic.