Heavy rainfall brings boon to lone croc farm

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW

Vol. 5 Num 1133 Mon. August 06, 2007

Front Page Heavy rainfall brings boon to lone croc farm Fida-e-Tashfia Although heavy rainfall in the preceding months has brought innumerable miseries for the overwhelming majority of the people, it has been a boon for the country's lone crocodile farm, with its inmates laying over 500 new eggs. "Last year reproductive activities of the crocodiles were affected due to 50 percent less than usual rainfall, but this year the weather has favoured us and 14 of our crocodiles have laid eggs," said Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and chief executive officer of Reptiles Farm Ltd (RFL). The private reptile reproduction enterprise was launched in 2004 with the aim of farming saltwater crocodiles commercially for export. Located in Hatiber village of Uthura union under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh, the farm's 13.4 acre compound houses 68 crocodiles in 12 artificial ponds and two lagoons. The large reptiles, ranging from 7 feet to 12 feet in lengths, were brought in from Malaysia on December 22, 2004, at a total cost of around Tk 1.25 crore. Of the 75 crocodiles imported initially, one died in its cage during the airplane journey, and six others also perished since. Fourteen of the remaining crocodiles are males, while 54 are females. Each female can lay 30 to 40 eggs a year. The eggs will be hatched artificially, and the offspring will be sold on the international market when they become four years old. "Over the past year, we have built special incubation facilities and other infrastructure for hatching the eggs and raising the baby crocodiles," said Mushtaq Ahmed. RFL employed Geoff McClure, an Australian crocodile expert, to design the state of the art infrastructure for the company. He also helped the company to establish and follow Australian reptile farming protocols, which are among the most widely used and successful in the world. After a slow start, it seems the company's activities are finally gathering momentum. "We are expecting 30 to 40 percent yield of hatchlings from the 500 plus eggs we have gotten this year. Next year, we anticipate a substantially larger number of eggs, and a higher yield rate of about 60 to 70 percent," said Mesbahul Haque, chairman of the farm. While the project is Ahmed's brainchild, it was Haque's investment that helped turn the dream into a reality. The two entrepreneurs were aided in their maiden venture with technical assistance from South Asian Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) and with financial support from the equity and entrepreneur fund (EEF) unit of Bangladesh Bank. RFL also received assistance from Southeast Bank Ltd. "Bangladesh Bank holds 49 percent equity in the company, and their support has been invaluable, but we wish they were more active as partners," said Haque. "We also hope the government will formulate an exotic wildlife farming policy to facilitate exploration of this field, as the sector can make valuable contributions to our export basket," he added. Currently the farm employs 12 full time staff, who have been trained locally and internationally. As part of its human resource development programme, RFL encourages all its employees to pursue higher studies in local universities. The employees are bound to follow strict safety protocols, and have been instructed not to allow any visitor on the farm premises, for safety and commercial reasons. The calm and isolation has proven to be beneficial not only for the crocodiles, but also for local birds, since they can nest there without any disturbance. Flocks of birds have adopted the area as their home. RFL also planted over 5,000 trees of 40 different species of fruits, wood and medicinal plants, whose yields they plan to sell locally. Meat, skin and bones from the crocodiles will be exported to countries around the world. Charcoal made from crocodile bones is indispensable to the global perfume industry, while crocodile meat is widely consumed in Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and the Americas. Mesbahul Haque also informed The Daily Star that a kilogram of crocodile meat sells for eight dollars on international markets, while a single purse made of crocodile skin can sell for up to Tk 20,000. "Cost of rearing a crocodile for four years is projected at 20,000 taka, and export of each one is expected to bring in 40,000 taka to 50,000 taka," he said. The company expects to start commercial export in 2009. A crocodile, left, at the country's lone crocodile farm in Bhaluka, Mymnesingh; a farm employee, right, collecting eggs of the reptile

www.reptilesfarm.net

crocodilefarmer@gmail.com

Bangladesh exports crocodiles to Germany

re: Bangladesh Economy: News & Updates

Pakistan Defence

BSS, Dhaka

An unconventional product was added to Bangladesh's export basket as the country's lone crocodile farm has finally been able to send 67 crocs to Germany through air yesterday, half a decade into its inception.

"A Thai Airways flight carrying the 67 frozen saltwater crocs of different age groups yesterday left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Germany ", Mustaq Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Reptile Farm Ltd (RFL), told BSS.

"We are very much delighted with the maiden export of crocs from Bangladesh as our dreams were fulfilled at last," he said, adding Bangladesh is the first country in South Asia to export farm grown crocodiles.

Mushtaq said Germany's Heidelberg University is importing the crocodiles for research purposes. "The export of crocodiles from Bangladesh would fetch US Dollar one lakh, ushering in a hope of croc business in the country," he said.

Earlier on January 21, the Department of Forest (DoF) gave the permission for exporting the crocodiles, Mushtaq said thanking the media for their sincere cooperation to this end.

He along with Mesbahul Huq, a pharmacist, set up the croc farm on 15 acres of land at Hatiber village under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district.

After exporting 67 crocodiles to Germany, there are now about 700 crocs in the farm, Mushtaq said.

While the project is Mushtaq's brainchild, it was Haque's investment that helped turn the dream into a reality. The two entrepreneurs were aided in their maiden venture with technical assistance from South Asian Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) and with financial support from the Equity and Entrepreneur fund (EEF) unit of Bangladesh Bank. RFL also received assistance from Southeast Bank Ltd.

The duo brought 75 reptiles ranging from 7 feet to 12 feet in lengths from Malaysia for commercial breeding of crocs at a cost of Taka 1.25 crore. Of them, eight died on the way to the farm established in October 2004. Mushtaq said they set up the farm with an aim to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually and create a base for earning up to US$ 5 million by 2015.

Different countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have shown keen interest in importing croc skins from their farm, he said, expressing hope that their farm would be able to export 500 croc skins by next two or three years.

He said there is a huge demand for croc skins, meat and bones in Europe, America and other developed countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore and China, and charcoal made from crocodile bones is indispensable to the global perfume industry.

Mushtaq said their farm follows the Australian standard and fulfills the criteria of IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in breeding crocs.

Crocodiles are being commercially farmed in 40 countries including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Fashionable items made of crocodile hide also have great global demand. Well-off people pay high prices for those.

A good quality crocodile leather bag is sold for US$ 50,000 to US$ 55,000, and the clients are even willing to wait for two to three years for delivery. Crocodile teeth, and other by-products are used for making ornaments including necklace and showpieces, which also enjoy high international demand.

Crocodile eggs up for sales on Bangladesh local market

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jul 4, 2010

With the growing global market for crocodile products, the country’s lone crocodile farm is now offering such products in the local market on a limited scale alongside its exports abroad.

The Reptiles Farm Ltd now offers crocodile eggs, teeth, and live crocodiles for the local market on a limited scale through online marketing.

The crocodile products were put in one of the online portals, celbazaar.com, on Saturday as the company put the offer, ‘The country’s only commercial crocodile farm registered with CITES is making available a small quantity of crocodile eggs. You can eat these eggs like any other eggs; you can make Moghlai Parata or even Pizza if you want.’ The farm also assured to provide recipes on request.

Most of the viewers of the online advertisement were curious about such products, especially the eggs, and many left lamenting comments for the high price.

The farm is offering crocodile eggs at Tk 1,200 a piece, crocodile tooth at Tk 50,000 a piece and baby crocodile at Tk 1,50,000.

The farm’s managing director, Mushtaque Ahmed, told New Age that he received an overwhelming response and most of them were curious about eggs as it was the cheapest item.

Many of them also inquired about crocodile teeth and few wanted to know how they would keep a crocodile as a pet, Mushtaque said.‘We actually do not market such products locally. On a test basis we had advertised to sell some unfertile-eggs as we felt there are many people curious about non-conventional items. I think most of the people are interested in keeping the eggs as souvenirs,’ he said.

‘Although crocodile eggs are edible but such an idea is still a cultural shock here. And I think few would be interested in eating an egg at Tk 1,200,’ he added.

The farm began its journey in 2004 with 75 crocodiles, ranging from 7 feet to 12 feet in length, imported from Malaysia for commercial breeding at a cost of Tk 1.25 crore.

It made its first shipment of crocodile export worth $100,000 on June 4, 2010 to Heidelberg University of Germany for research purpose.

Mushtaque said that they had set up the farm with the objective of exporting over 5,000 crocodile skins annually and creating the means for earning up to $5 million by 2015.

Various countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have shown interest in importing crocodile skins from the farm, he said, and expressed the hope that they would be able to export 500 crocodile skins annually within next two or three years.

Now, crocodiles are Bangladesh’s new export item

Sat Jun 05 2010 16:26:34 GMT+0600 (Central Asia Standard Time) by IANS ( Leave a comment )

Dhaka, June 5 (IANS) Bangladesh has a new item on its export list - crocodiles. The first consignment that has just left for Germany is worth $100,000, a media report said Saturday.
The maiden export was conducted Friday by the Reptile Farm Ltd., country’s lone crocodile farm, five years after it began farming the reptile.

The farm, located in the Hatiber village in northern Mymensingh district, now has 825 saltwater crocodiles.

Finding crocodiles should not be a problem in a country criss-crossed by rivers, said Mustaq Ahmed, managing director of the farm, adding that this consignment is of 67 frozen saltwater crocodiles.

Germany’s Heidelberg University is importing the reptiles, of sizes between 12 inches and 14 feet, for research, Ahmed said.

“If the shipment reaches in time, scope for export of crocodiles from the country will widen,” the New Age newspaper reported on its website quoting him as saying.

The country’s maiden move to export crocodiles was delayed several times due to bureaucratic tangles over issuance of permits to exporters.

He said the farm was ready to export crocodiles to Germany in December, but it could not be undertaken as the forest department did not give the green signal then.

The farm began commercial breeding of crocodiles by importing the reptiles from Malaysia.

Ahmed said they had set up the farm with the aim of exporting over 5,000 crocodile skins annually and earning up to $5 million by 2015.

France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have shown keen interest in importing crocodile skins from the farm, he said.

Bangladesh’s principal exports are readymade garments and manpower.

www.thaindian.com

Bangladesh may be first S Asian country to export croc skin, meat

Archive news of Saturday October 11 2008

Financial Express

A man who had been in quest of a profession with a difference finally had his passion landed in a commercial crocodile farm at Bhaluka in Mymensingh, the first in the South Asian region, reports BSS.

Mushtaq Ahmed, a university graduate, had browsed different professions, including one in UNHCR, but could not settle down anywhere.

He along with Mesbahul Huq, a pharmacist, then set up the crocodile farm, the Reptiles Farm Limited (RFL), at Hatiber village under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district on a land of 15 acres.

While the project is Mushtaq's brainchild, it was Huq's investment that helped turn the dream into a reality.

The two entrepreneurs were aided in their maiden venture with technical assistance from SouthAsian Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) and with financial support from the equity and entrepreneur fund (EEF) unit of Bangladesh Bank.

The RFL also got assistance from Southeast Bank Limited.

The duo brought 75 reptiles ranging from seven to 12 feet from Malaysia for commercial breeding of crocodiles for Tk 12.5 million (1.25 crore). Of them, eight died on way to the farm established in October 2004.

Talking to the news agency at their Lalmatia head office in the city Friday, RFL Managing Director and CEO Mushtaq said, "We have set up the farm with an aim to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually and create a base for earning up to US$ 5.0 million by 2015."

Different countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have shown keen interest in importing crocodiles from their farm, he said, adding the farm is likely to export skins, meat and bones of 140 saltwater crocodiles next year.

"We are very much hopeful of exporting skins, meat and bones of at least 140 crocodiles from Bangladesh by December, 2009", Mushtaq said and expressed the hope that the number would go up to 500 within the next two to three years.

He said there is a huge demand for crocodile skins, meat and bones in Europe, America and other developed countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore and China, and charcoal made from crocodile bones is indispensable for the global perfume industry.

To meet this demand, more crocodile farms could be set up in the country, Mushtaq said.

But, he said, there should be a policy on launching this unconventional business, otherwise its future could be disastrous like our shrimp industry.

"We hope the government will formulate an exotic wildlife farming policy to facilitate exploration of this field, as the sector can make valuable contribution to our export basket", he added.

Mushtaq said the international price of a kilogramme of crocodile meat is about US$ 200, while a baby crocodile is expected to fetch $700 to $1,200.

He said the number of crocodiles at their farm now stood at 447 from 68 through rearing in the last four years.

There are now 32 ponds at the farm with 447 saltwater crocodiles. Of them, 380 are small and 67 big in size and the length of the biggest crocodile is 14 feet and the smallest is eight feet, he added.

"In the last four years, we have built special incubation facilities and other infrastructure for hatching eggs and raising baby crocodiles", Mushtaq said.

Currently, he said, the farm employs 10 full-time staff, who have been trained locally and internationally. As part of its human resources development programme, the RFL encourages all its employees to pursue higher studies at local universities, he said.

Croc farm sees first of eggs

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW

Vol. 5 Num 879 Fri. November 17, 2006

Front Page Croc farm sees first of eggs Aminul Islam, Mymensingh Crocodile farming at the country's first ever reptile reproduction enterprise has witnessed its first success as two crocodiles laid eggs this season. Reptiles Farm Ltd, a private entrepreneurship reptile reproduction farm, started farming crocodiles commercially at Hatiber village of Uthura union under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh in 2004. Currently, there are 68 crocodiles including 54 female crocodiles in the farm. "We hope to get 2,500 to 3,000 eggs next year if the weather condition favours because moderate rainfall is needed to stimulate the crocodiles for reproduction," said Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and chief executive officer of the farm. Three entrepreneurs Mesbahul Haque, Mushtaq Ahmed and Dr Sheikh Muhammad Abdur Rashid jointly launched the farm investing Tk 5 crore with 49 per cent financial support as interest free loan from the Equity and Entrepreneur Fund (EEF) of the government. Initially, they imported 75 saltwater crocodiles from Malaysia including 15 males on December 23, 2004 at a cost of Tk 1.25 crore. One croc died on its way to Bangladesh and six more died later after reaching the farm leaving the total to 68 that included 14 males. The crocodiles in the farm are between 10 to 24 years of age. Farm sources said there are 25 types of crocodiles in the world, the saltwater one being the largest of the species. Saltwater crocks can also be reared in freshwater. The imported reptiles were released in 12 specially designed curved ponds and in two lagoons in the project area, which covers 13.4 acres of land. Two crocodiles laid 69 eggs during wet season this year. The eggs resemble swan eggs and are being incubated in Dhaka, said Dr Sheikh Muhammad Abdur Rashid, a biologist and chief scientific officer of the farm. "It takes 80 to 90 days to hatch the eggs and we hope to get babies from the eggs this month." "Moderate rainfall is needed to stimulate the crocodiles for reproduction and we hope to get 2,500 to 3,000 eggs next year, provided favourable weather conditions," said Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and chief executive officer of the farm. "We would get more eggs this year, but reproductive activities of crocodiles were affected due to almost 50 per cent less than usual rainfall in this region." There are commercial crocodile rearing farms in some 40 countries of the world including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam, said farm sources. Crocodile meat is consumed widely in Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and the Americas. One kilogram of crocodile meat is sold between seven to eight dollars in international markets, added the sources. Crocodile teeth, scrap hide and other by-products could be used for making fashionable commodities, garlands, ornaments or showpieces, which are in high demand in both local and international markets. Women's purse made of crocodile skin is sold at Tk 20,000 apiece in Australia, said Mesbahul Haque, chairman of the farm. Charcoal made from crocodile bones is used in manufacturing perfumes throughout the world, sources said. Cost for rearing a crocodile for four years till maturity is estimated at Tk 20,000 and it is expected to bring in Tk 40,000 to Tk 50,000 in revenues from export of each croc. The crocodiles at the farm are fed with beef, fowl or other meat twice a week. On an average, each crocodile takes two kilograms of food at a time. The pond water has to be changed every month. In the vast area of the farm, some 2,500 saplings of 30 different varieties -- fruits, wood and medicinal plants -- have been planted to create familiar greenery for the crocs, the sources added. The farm also has plans to start rearing other types of reptiles such as tortoise, snake and monitor lizards (locally known as guisap) in the future. "If our first endeavour succeeds, we would go for other projects," said an official of the farm. The authorities are also considering setting up a bird sanctuary and a butterfly museum in the future to offer recreational activities to the people. The entrepreneurs thanked the locals and the officials of the local forest department for their all-out support to the farm. Until recently, the project area was open to the public for several months when people would come from far away to get a glimpse of the crocs. However, the authorities restricted visitors from entering the project area as the movements of visitors disturb the breeding process of the reptiles. The farm sources also said long-term investments of around Tk 2 crore more is needed for infrastructure development of the farm. Special types of temperature-controlled ponds for the croc babies would be needed soon. The investors would have to wait five to seven years to count profits from the project, said the investors. An Australian crocodile-farming expert has been hired at the farm for a month to train the project staff on the latest technology of crocodile farming.

A Bangladesh company to export, for the first time, the skin, bones, teeth and meat of crocodiles

Sun, 2009-05-31 01:45 — admin

• News

M.A. Qader-Our Correspondent in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 30 May (Asiantribune.com): Bangladesh for the first time will export the skin, bones, teeth and meat of crocodile by an export company from this December.

"We expect to start the export of crocodile parts from next December," said Mushtaq Ahmed, the chief executive of the country's only company dealing with crocodiles - Reptiles Firm Ltd, recently.

"As many as 100 crocodiles will be exported in first batch," he said

"The hide of the crocodile will be the main export product. A crocodile with all its meat, bone, and teeth can be sold up to $ 1500."

The firm launched a crocodile farm on 15 acres of land at Uthura of Valuka in Mymensingh after bringing 75 salt water of crocodiles species from Malaysia in Dec 2004.

Of them, eight died later on, he said

Mushtaq said that they would not have any problem in getting buyers as the skin of such crocodiles is in great demand in the world market for manufacturing luxury product.

He also expressed the desire to turn the reptile farm in to a tourist spot.

"We want to grow 15,000 crocodiles by 2015 with export of 5,000 crocodiles a year"

Mentioning the benefits of crocodile farm, he said, "The project requires a few workers . Apart from this, crocodiles are less vulnerable to disease."

Mushtaq said initial investment was Tk 5 crore which now stands nearly at Tk 8 crore.

The chairman of the company, Mesbahul Huq, a pharmacist, financed the project.

In the beginning, the Equity and Entrepreneur Fund unit of Bangladesh Bank approved around Tk 2.5 crore in loan to begin this project.

-Asian Tribune-

Crocs eye forex

Crocs eye forex

Local farm all set for maiden export

Aminul Islam, Mymensingh

Employees of Reptile Farm Ltd in Mymensingh are collecting crocodile eggs. Right, croc offspring hatched in captivity will soon reach their adulthood and be ready for export. Photo: STAR

Four years after its inception, the country's first commercial reptile farm--The Reptiles Farm Ltd--in Mymensingh is now all set to make its first export of crocodiles.

The Bhaluka-based farm's Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed told The Daily Star that they are at the final stage of signing deals with a few importers in France, Germany, Italy and Japan. They are expecting to export around 100 crocodiles aged over two years by November this year.

"Export of each crocodile will fetch us Tk 75,000 and we will get a reasonable profit from the first export," Mushtaq said hoping that his farm would earn up to Tk 35 crore from crocodile exports by 2015.

Mushtaq and another entrepreneur Mesbahul Hoque started working on crocodile farming in 2002 but now it has become a viable business, said Mushtaq.

The two entrepreneurs jointly launched the farm investing Tk 5 crore with 49 percent financial support from the Equity and Entrepreneur Fund (EEF) of the government in the form of interest-free loan.

Established at Hatibeer of Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh, The Reptiles Farm Ltd got approval from the Forest and Environment Ministry on May 5, 2004. First they imported 75 salt-water crocodiles from Malaysia on December 23, 2004 at a cost of Tk 1.25 crore. During the shipment, one crocodile had died while six more died after reaching the farm.

The number of crocodiles was 68, including 55 females. The crocodiles were between 15 to 28 years of age then.

During the last four years the farm expanded. The farm's crocodiles produced 140 hatchlings in 2007 and 240 last year. Some 400 hatchlings are expected from some 550 eggs laid this year.

"We are waiting for the grand day when our venture bears fruit and our hard labour and investment pays off," said the farm's Chairman Mesbahul Hoque.

Crocodiles are being cultivated commercially in 40 countries of the world including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, farm sources said. They also said the flesh of crocodile is consumed widely in Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and America. One kilogram of crocodile meat is sold between $7-8 on the international market, the sources added.

Fashionable items made of crocodile hide have great demand. World celebrities have good eyes for such goods and a good quality bag made of crocodile hide is sold between $50,000 and $55,000, farm sources said. Celebrities even wait for two to three years to get the delivery of such a bag.

Crocodile teeth, hide and other by-products are used for making garlands, ornaments of different kinds and small showpieces, which enjoy high demand in local and international market, said farm sources.

Charcoal made from crocodile bones is used for preparing perfume.

Officials of Reptiles Farm Ltd said the government is now formulating a Crocodile Farming Guidelines for new entrepreneurs interested in investing in this sector. Recently, a workshop was arranged by the Forest Department on this issue to accommodate views of stakeholders, farm sources said.

Bangladesh crocodile farm aims to bite into luxury market

By Azad Majumder

BHALUKA, Bangladesh | Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:47am EDT

(Reuters Life!) - A Bangladeshi entrepreneur wants to add bite to the country's meager exports with skin and meat from crocodiles, products he says are largely recession-proof as they're targeted at the rich.

Mushtaq Ahmed's Reptiles Farm Ltd is the first to commercially farm saltwater crocodiles in largely impoverished Bangladesh, with the aim of supplying the luxury goods market.

It took Ahmed several years to get the necessary financing and bureaucratic approvals to set up the farm, which started operating in late 2005 with imported crocodiles and fulfils all international wildlife protection treaties.

"People first thought it was a crazy idea. But I always knew it was going be a successful project," Ahmed told Reuters.

"Four years on, it is now home to over 400 crocodiles, which is more than the combined total of wild saltwater crocodiles in Bangladesh," he said at the farm in the village of Bhaluka, 110 km (65 miles) north of the capital Dhaka.

Later this year, the farm will start exporting baby crocodiles and skin from the larger ones, with several European buyers already showing interest, Ahmed said.

The skin is used to make luxury leather products such as belts and handbags, and Ahmed aims to export over 5,000 crocodile parts annually, eyeing an income of about $5 million by 2015.

Crocodile teeth are used to make necklaces or decorative pieces, while bones are used in perfume production. Crocodile meat is also widely consumed in several parts of the world.

With all these commercial prospects Ahmed is confident his business will succeed, even in difficult times.

"This industry is not going to a affected by the global recession because those who use crocodile skin are targeting the really rich," he said.

Commercial crocodile farming exists in several countries, notably Australia, Thailand and Malaysia, but Ahmed says Bangladesh has a competitive advantage because of special import tariff agreements with the European Union.

(Writing by Anis Ahmed; Editing by Miral Fahmy)

Dhaka gives green light to crocodile exports

» 02/01/2010 12:16
by William Gomes

The government authorises the country’s only crocodile farm to ship 67 specimens to a German university for research. Reptile Farm Ltd managing director says the product represents an important source of foreign exchange. The goal is to reach US$ 5,000,000 in earnings by 2015.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – For the first time in its history, Bangladesh is going to export crocodiles for commercial purposes. On 21 January, the Department of Forests authorised the country’s only crocodile farm, Reptile Farm Ltd, to sell reptiles to Germany. Exotic animals represent a large market in Europe, the United States and a number of Asian countries. The goal is to generate up to US $ 5 million in revenues by 2015.

Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and CEO of Reptile Farm Ltd., said that on 31 August of last year, his company applied for a permit to export 67 frozen crocodiles to Germany and 10 live ones to Malaysia. After months of waiting, the Forest Department gave the green light.

He said an agreement was reached with Heidelberg University of Germany to ship 67 crocodiles, ranging from nine inches to five feet in length, which the university will use these in research. “We will export the crocodiles next month,” he said.

Reptile Farm Ltd. is situated in Hatiber village (Mymensingh district), and owns 825 saltwater crocodiles, including 67 specimens that are big size.

Ahmed noted that the regular export of crocodiles from Bangladesh would be an important source of foreign exchange earnings. The aim is to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually and create a base for “earning up to US$ 5 million by 2015.”

There is a huge demand of crocodiles in European nations like France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Crocodile skins, meat and bones as well as charcoal made from croc bones used in the perfume industry are in great demand.

To meet this demand, more crocodile farms could be set up in Bangladesh, Ahmed said.

Rearing crocs, Bangladeshi firm eyes $50 mn exports

The Hindustan Times

Article date:

January 19, 2005

Dhaka, Jan 19 -- Perhaps for the first time in South Asia, a Bangladeshi firm is rearing crocodiles for their hide, meat and bone in what is expected to fetch $50 million in annual exports.

"This kind of venture is the first in South Asia and there is a potential market in Europe for salted crocodile hides and in China, Taiwan and (South) Korea for crocodile meat and bone," Mushtaque Ahmed, managing director and CEO of the newly formed Reptiles Farm Limited, told IANS.

Some young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs began farming crocodiles on a commercial basis in Hatiber village in Bhaluka, about 72 km north of Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

The company expects to fetch at least …

Crocodile farming in Bangladesh

Xinhua News Agency

January 18, 2005

DHAKA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Some young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs began farming of crocodiles on commercial basis in northern Bangladesh, first of its kind in South Asia, reported the daily New Age on Tuesday.

They selected such an uncommon sector to develop their business, considering the export potentials of crocodile skin and allied products.

The idea of rearing crocodile came from Mushtaque Ahmed, a business executive and also environment activist. The idea has lured many people and at one stage, a company, Reptiles Farm Limited, emerged.

Mushtaque, now the managing director and chief executive officer of the company, said …

Read all of this article with a FREE trial

Bangladesh crocodile farm aims to bite luxury market

27th March 2011

A crocodile farm grown up at Bhaluka -The Industry

Staff Correspondent: A Bangladeshi entrepreneur wants to add bite to the country’s meager exports with skin and meat from crocodiles products, he says these are largely recession-proof as they’re targeted at the rich.
Mushtaq Ahmed’s Reptiles Farm Ltd is the first to commercially farm saltwater crocodiles in largely impoverished Bangladesh, with the aim of supplying the luxury goods market.
It took Ahmed several years to get the necessary financing and bureaucratic approvals to set up the farm, which started operating in late 2005 with imported crocodiles and fulfils all international wildlife protection treaties.
‘People first thought it was a crazy idea. But I always knew it was going to be a successful project,’ Ahmed told.
‘Four years on, it is now home to over 400 crocodiles, which is more than the combined total of wild saltwater crocodiles in Bangladesh,’ he said at the farm in the village of Bhaluka, 110 km (65 miles) north of the capital Dhaka.
Later last year, the farm has started exporting baby crocodiles and skin from the larger ones, with several European buyers, Ahmed said.
The skin is used to make luxury leather products such as belts and handbags, and Ahmed aims to export over 5,000 crocodile parts annually, eyeing an income of about $5 million by 2015.
Crocodile teeth are used to make necklaces or decorative pieces, while bones are used in perfume production. Crocodile meat is also widely consumed in several parts of the world.
With all these commercial prospects Ahmed is confident his business will succeed, even in difficult times.
‘This industry is not going to an affected by the global recession because those who use crocodile skin are targeting the really rich,’ he said.
Commercial crocodile farming exists in several countries, notably Australia, Thailand and Malaysia, but Ahmed says Bangladesh has a competitive advantage because of special import tariff agreements with the European Union.

Crocs eye forex

Friday, September 25, 2009

Front Page

Local farm all set for maiden export

Employees of Reptile Farm Ltd in Mymensingh are collecting crocodile eggs. Right, croc offspring hatched in captivity will soon reach their adulthood and be ready for export.Photo: STARAminul Islam, Mymensingh

Four years after its inception, the country's first commercial reptile farm--The Reptiles Farm Ltd--in Mymensingh is now all set to make its first export of crocodiles.

The Bhaluka-based farm's Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed told The Daily Star that they are at the final stage of signing deals with a few importers in France, Germany, Italy and Japan. They are expecting to export around 100 crocodiles aged over two years by November this year.

"Export of each crocodile will fetch us Tk 75,000 and we will get a reasonable profit from the first export," Mushtaq said hoping that his farm would earn up to Tk 35 crore from crocodile exports by 2015.

Mushtaq and another entrepreneur Mesbahul Hoque started working on crocodile farming in 2002 but now it has become a viable business, said Mushtaq.

The two entrepreneurs jointly launched the farm investing Tk 5 crore with 49 percent financial support from the Equity and Entrepreneur Fund (EEF) of the government in the form of interest-free loan.

Established at Hatibeer of Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh, The Reptiles Farm Ltd got approval from the Forest and Environment Ministry on May 5, 2004. First they imported 75 salt-water crocodiles from Malaysia on December 23, 2004 at a cost of Tk 1.25 crore. During the shipment, one crocodile had died while six more died after reaching the farm.

The number of crocodiles was 68, including 55 females. The crocodiles were between 15 to 28 years of age then.

During the last four years the farm expanded. The farm's crocodiles produced 140 hatchlings in 2007 and 240 last year. Some 400 hatchlings are expected from some 550 eggs laid this year.

"We are waiting for the grand day when our venture bears fruit and our hard labour and investment pays off," said the farm's Chairman Mesbahul Hoque.

Crocodiles are being cultivated commercially in 40 countries of the world including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, farm sources said. They also said the flesh of crocodile is consumed widely in Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and America. One kilogram of crocodile meat is sold between $7-8 on the international market, the sources added.

Fashionable items made of crocodile hide have great demand. World celebrities have good eyes for such goods and a good quality bag made of crocodile hide is sold between $50,000 and $55,000, farm sources said. Celebrities even wait for two to three years to get the delivery of such a bag.

Crocodile teeth, hide and other by-products are used for making garlands, ornaments of different kinds and small showpieces, which enjoy high demand in local and international market, said farm sources.

Charcoal made from crocodile bones is used for preparing perfume.

Officials of Reptiles Farm Ltd said the government is now formulating a Crocodile Farming Guidelines for new entrepreneurs interested in investing in this sector. Recently, a workshop was arranged by the Forest Department on this issue to accommodate views of stakeholders, farm sources said.

Bangladesh exports crocs to Germany next month

January 30, 2010

Bangladesh is going to first-ever crocodile export next month as the country’s lone croc farm has finally obtained permission from the concerned authorities to this end, reports BSS.
‘We have finally got the permission from the Department of Forest on January 21 that paved the way for our croc export,’ Mushtaq Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Reptile Farm Ltd told the news agency Friday.
He added: ‘We have sought permission from the DoF to export 67 frozen crocodiles to Germany and import 10 live parent crocs from Malaysia on August 31, but after examining different aspects for about five months, the department at last gave permission.’
Mushtaq also said that their farm was ready to export crocodiles to Germany in December last, but it could not be possible as the DoF did not give green signal to them.
According to the agreement with the Heidelberg University of Germany, he said, their farm is going to export 67 frozen crocodiles ranging from nine inches to five feet in length to the university next month. ‘The university is importing the crocs for research purpose,’ Mushtaq said.
He said that the maiden export of crocodiles from Bangladesh would fetch $1,00,00, ushering in a hope of croc business in the country.
Mushtaq said the farm, situated at Hatiber village under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district, has now 825 saltwater crocodiles, of them, 67 are big size (average length 14 feet) and the rest are small to medium size ( 9 inches to five feet), he added.
After the end of the last year’s breeding season (July- September), he said, 411 baby crocodiles were born at their farm, which was 240 in 2008 and 140 in 2007.
He along with Mesbahul Huq, a pharmacist, set up the croc farm at Hatiber village on 15 acres of land.
While the project is Mushtaq’s brainchild, it was Huq’s investment that helped turn the dream into a reality.
The two entrepreneurs were aided in their maiden venture with technical assistance from South Asian Enterprise Development Facility and with financial support from the equity and entrepreneur fund unit of Bangladesh Bank. RFL also received assistance from Southeast Bank Ltd.
The duo brought 75 reptiles ranging from 7 feet to 12 feet in lengths from Malaysia for commercial breeding of crocs at a cost of Taka 1.25 crore. Of them, eight died on the way to the farm established in October 2004.
Mushtaq said they set up the farm with an aim to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually and create a base for earning up to US$ 5 million by 2015.
Different countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have shown keen interest in importing croc skins from their farm, he said, expressing hope that their farm would be able to export 500 croc skins by next two or three years.
He said there is a huge demand for croc skins, meat and bones in Europe, America and other developed countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore and China, and charcoal made from crocodile bones is indispensable to the global perfume industry. To meet this demand, he opined, more croc farms could be set up in Bangladesh.
Mushtaq, however, stressed the need for simplification of the procedures by the concerned department for exporting crocs from Bangladesh, saying that otherwise none would come forward for this unconventional business.

Image Courtesy: NewAgebd

Reptile farm pioneers crocodile farming

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2010

Reptiles Farm Limited (RFL), the first commercial producer of Crocodylus Porosus (saltwater crocodile) in Bangladesh even South Asia. According to media, Reptiles Farm Limited is the pioneer of crocodile farming in South Asia. The aim of the company is to produce commercially and display Bangladesh’s largest reptile in a sustainable manner, while protecting and promoting Bangladesh's wild crocodile population. “In June2010 the firm has exported 67 crocodiles of different sizes, small to large in Germany” said Md. Nasir, production assistant of Reptiles Farm Limited.
“University of Heidelberg, Germany imported those crocodiles in order to conduct its research functions” Nasir added. He also said that per KG crocodile meat is about US$ 200, while an infant crocodile is predicted to sell $700 to $1,200 in international market.
Referencing Mushtaq Ahamed, managing director and CEO of the firm, Nasir said that the farm has an aim to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually to earn US$ 5.0 million by 2015.
The firm was established at Hatiber village under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district on a land of 15 acres.
The crocodiles are fed up with meats of animals. While providing meat to crocodiles, food server calls a unique word and immediately crocodiles come up to have their food.
Reptiles Farm Limited does not take any crocodiles from the wild and fulfils the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) criteria for self contained breeding farms. Mesbahul Hoque, chairman and founder of Reptiles Farm Limited is a business graduate, who worked in multinational and national pharmaceutical companies at director and managing director level with top management experience of more than two decades.
Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and chief executive officer of Reptiles Farm Limited is the architect of this business plan. After earning his degree in commerce and working as an assistant manager at a tea plantation, he received professional training in management from England. He has wide administrative experiences in different sectors including tourism, United Nations and IT companies in mid and top-level positions.
He is also member of Crocodile Specialist Group (IUCN-SSC).
Mr. Geoff McClure, Consultant of RPL has a career spanning of over thirty five years in teaching, private enterprise and management, with a strong focus on the environment. He achieved considerable recognition in habitat regeneration, with emphasis on riparian and aquatic ecosystems. He is competent in wildlife park design and landscaping, and managing a construction site for tourist attractions.
He has a specific interest in the management of crocodiles, both captive and wild.
He has extensive contributions to crocodile management through various committees.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Business

Crocodile eggs up for sale

Bss, Dhaka

Tourists in Bangladesh will now find an addition to their menu as the country's lone crocodile farm has taken the initiative to sell the croc eggs commercially.

"Against the backdrop of demand for crocodile eggs in some hotels in the country, we have taken initiative to sell the croc eggs commercially," Mustaq Ahmed, managing director of Reptile Farm Ltd (RFL), told the news agency yesterday.

"We have already sold about 150 eggs to some hotels and its main consumers are foreigners."

Apart from selling croc eggs, Mushtaq said his farm has also taken steps to sell baby crocodiles to amusement parks in the country.

"Baby crocs were sold to Saudia Park Ltd, an amusement park in Bogra."

Earlier, the RFL exported 67 frozen saltwater crocs to Germany's Heidelberg University for research purposes.

"The export of crocodiles from Bangladesh fetched 1 lakh euros, ushering in a hope of croc business in the country," he said.

Different countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, have shown keen interest in importing croc skins from their farm, he said. He hoped the farm would be able to export 500 croc skins by next two or three years.

He along with Mesbahul Huq, a pharmacist, set up the croc farm on 15 acres in Hatiber village in Bhaluka upazila, Mymensingh.

After exporting crocodiles to Germany, there are now about 700 crocs in the farm, said Mushtaq.

The farm is now aiming to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually and create a base for earning up to $5 million by 2015.

"There is a huge demand for croc skins, meat and bones in Europe, America and other developed countries, such as Australia, Japan, Singapore and China. The charcoal made from crocodile bones is indispensable to the global perfume industry."

Crocodiles are being commercially farmed in 40 countries including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

The croc eggs can be bought online at cellbazar.com.