The note presents the relevant facts to help an understanding of 1) the economic importance and 2) the current management practices and problems associated with duck rearing in India with special reference to the North-East Region. It can be used to discuss the issues involved in the management of duck farms at the enterprise level and those in the management of duck development programmes drawn by the Government of India and the state governments. Two generalized cases to bring out the economics of duck rearing on small scale have been presented. These cases can be used to debate whether or not the policy of providing subsidies for starting duck farming be continued.