Author: Ehsanul Habib
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Stories
March 8, 2025

From domestic worker to a business owner

Marjina Khatun, 55-year-old, from Ranigram in Pabna Sadar Upazila, has transformed from a domestic worker to a successful entrepreneur. Four years ago, she was cleaning other people’s homes, struggling to make ends meet. Today, she has converted waste into resource by fish scale business and created jobs in her community. Now, her family is financially self-sufficient.

With great enthusiasm, Marjina shares her journey. While she worked as a domestic worker, her husband and disabled son managed a small fish business in the local market. However, their financial situation remained dire. In 2022, the RMTP project selected her as a beneficiary, providing essential training in fish scale collection, processing, and marketing. Additionally, she received a cash grant of BDT 125,000 from RMTP through PKSFs implementing partner, Program for Community Development (PCD).

With these funds, Marjina established a processing room, a wooden drying floor, and a hygienic workspace, ensuring a strong foundation for her business. The project also connected her with dealers who purchase processed scales directly from home, significantly reducing transportation costs. The processed scales are sold to third-party suppliers who provide manufacturers in China with raw materials for fish feed and pharmaceutical capsules.

Marjina actively collects fish scales from local traders and employs two women to assist her in the processing work. She sources scales from fish markets, neighbours, and hotels, ensuring a steady supply. The process involves carefully removing spikes, sun-drying the scales, and storing them for up to two months. She buys 50 kg of wet scales for BDT 1,000-1,200, which turn into 40 kg of dried scales and sell for BDT 2,500-3,500. Each month, she processes about 600 kg, spending Tk 15,000 and earning a profit of around Tk 33,750.

Marjina is grateful to the project for expand her business. She supports her three daughters and one son. Her goal is to empower her daughters to be self-sufficient. Through her journey, Marjina has gained confidence, improved her decision-making, and become a financial leader in her family.

By Ehsanul Habib
Stories
March 8, 2025

Preetilata Tripura becomes self-reliant through black pepper cultivation

Spices have been essential to culinary traditions for centuries. The people of the Indian subcontinent have been familiar with cinnamon, black pepper, and pepper since ancient times. Though 57-year-old Preetilata Tripura lacked detailed knowledge of their historical significance, she recognized the potential of black pepper cultivation and took on the challenge of growing this unconventional crop.

A century ago in the same district, Pritilata Waddedar, the first female martyr in the fight against the British colonialism, was honored as a ‘Veer Kanya’ (Brave Woman). Today, another Preetilata from Koila village in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram, Bangladesh, has gained recognition as a model black pepper farmer, turning her determination into inspiration for others.

Preetilata shared, “They told me black pepper has good yields and higher profits. In 2018, I planted saplings on 125 poles, with four saplings per pole. The production began in 2021, and I sold 25 kgs of black pepper that year. Last year, I sold 40 kgs.” Since then, she never looked back. She has expanded black pepper cultivation to new areas, including her lemon and jackfruit orchards in the Golachipa village.

Using techniques learned from PKSF’s RMTP project, she now also grows and sells black pepper saplings. Among those who started black pepper cultivation with her, only Preetilata has succeeded in expanding her out-of-the-ordinary venture. To promote eco-friendly farming, she uses organic fertilizers and pesticides for her crops. Over the past few years, she has earned approximately BDT 2.4 lakh from black pepper, saplings, and inter-crops like ginger and turmeric.

Her success has also positively impacted her family. Her eldest daughter, Mitali, completed her bachelor’s degree before being married off. Preetilata’s second daughter, Shiuli, is pursuing her bachelor’s with honors at Barishal Nursing College. Her son, Amit, has passed SSC and now serves in the police. 

In recognition of her achievements, Preetilata was awarded the ‘City Group-Prothom Alo Agriculture Award 2024’ as the best female farmer. Her resilience and determination have made her a role model for others in her community.

By Ehsanul Habib
Stories
November 7, 2024

Tk2,225cr market: Poultry farming transforms lives in Joypurhat

Sabina Khatun of Joypurhat Sadar upazila has been running a successful poultry farm with 6,000 Sonali chickens in her backyard for 19 years.

Her journey into poultry farming started modestly, and now, alongside her husband Abdul Latif, she manages two farms dedicated to meat production.

Sabina’s business has grown significantly over the years, allowing her to earn Tk75,000 to Tk100,000 per month and fund her two daughters’ education in the city.

She believes poultry farming is a valuable opportunity for rural women, enabling them to balance household responsibilities with income generation.

Around 200,000 people in the district, most of them women, are directly or indirectly employed in the poultry sector.

Farmers said that improved training and market access have made poultry farming more profitable in recent years, a sharp contrast to earlier challenges.

The poultry revolution in Joypurhat began after 2000, transforming the region’s economic trajectory, which had previously depended heavily on agriculture.

Now poultry farming has become a significant contributor to the local economy, with 7,340 farms housing nearly 1.75 crore chickens producing 89,000 tonnes of meat annually, contributing Tk2,225 crore to the economy. Additionally, over 2,00,00,000 chicks are produced annually at 47 hatcheries in the district.

According to the district livestock department, the surplus meat, far exceeding the district’s demand of 42,000 tonnes, is supplied to other parts of the country. Belal Hossain, another farmer from Joypurhat’s Jamalganj, started small in 2012 with just 350 chickens.

His initial investment of Tk4,200 soon turned into a profit of Tk17,500, encouraging him to expand. He quit his job at a private organisation and focused solely on poultry farming.

Now, with the support of his wife, Jannatun Faurdous, the couple manage three poultry farms and several thousand chickens. Their business is now valued at over Tk1.5 crore. Belal’s success allowed him to buy land, support his brother’s education, and branch out into corn and egg production.

 His wife Jannatun, who is pursuing her studies at a national university, shares his dream of expanding their business to include cattle farming. They credit government and non-government training programmes for their continued growth.

 The JAKAS Foundation, a Joypurhat-based non-governmental organisation, plays a crucial role in supporting this poultry boom. Through the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and Danish International Development Agency, they provide training on safe meat production, modern farming techniques, and market access for farmers. They are directly working with 10,000 people involved in the industry.

Mohammad Nurul Amin, executive director of JAKAS said, “We are training farmers in safe meat production, using technology, and connecting them to global markets. This benefits farmers and consumers alike.”    

Mahbubur Rahman Raihan, trained by JAKAS, has become a Livestock Service Provider, offering services to 50 farms in Joypurhat. His work in providing health services to poultry has transformed his livelihood, allowing him to earn up to Tk1,500 a day.

Tech-driven farms and safe meat production

PKSF data show that 86,555 people in 12 districts of the country, including Joypurhat, Bogura, Naogaon, Rangpur, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Shariatpur, Faridpur, and Cox’s Bazar, have been brought under the RMTP project.

 Through the project, they are working to make quality services, materials, and technology easily available for livestock-related initiatives. They are working on traceability of produced products, productivity, and more. This is increasing the income of ordinary people and improving the quality of life.

Retired army officer Syed Shamsul Anam, now a poultry farmer, believes modern farm management is crucial. He installed a sprinkler system to control the high summer temperatures in his chicken farm. This helps chickens survive and grow, reducing mortality and improving their health.

Fazlul Kader, acting managing director of PKSF, said, “We aim to expand safe meat and food for everyone. We want a safe brand that people trust. We support farmers in producing safe food and creating a sustainable agricultural system.” Farmers in Joypurhat are increasingly adopting modern technologies and practices to ensure safer meat production.

Anisur Rahman, who has been working in the poultry industry for over 20 years, said farming was much harder before access to modern medicine was made available. Now, with the availability of veterinary services, disease outbreaks are less frequent, resulting in healthier chickens and more stable production.

Future of poultry farming in Joypurhat

Government and private sector initiatives are increasingly focused on safe meat production.

Green Harvest Meat, for example, works with 60-70 select farmers who follow good agricultural practices. These initiatives are creating new employment opportunities and boosting demand for safe, high-quality meat.

Manjurul Alam Rico, a farmer from Jamalganj who has 10,000 chickens on his farm, said he faces rising costs for feed and utilities but still remains committed to safe and modern farming techniques. The demand for his farm products remains strong, particularly for eggs.

Maher Uddin, the district livestock officer, stressed the importance of continuing to educate farmers on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and improving animal health.

The efforts of both government and non-government organisations are helping to ensure that Joypurhat remains at the forefront of safe and sustainable poultry farming in the country.

By Ehsanul Habib
Stories
November 7, 2024

Sirajganj’s Tk100cr dairy market thrives on milk production boom

Abdul Khaleque was perplexed when he received an order via WhatsApp from several people in Kolkata’s Jorasanko, India, requesting several tonnes of buttermilk products locally known as “ghol” and “matha.”

The Indian customers had tasted the buttermilk from his shop in Sirajganj’s Salop area during their visit to Bangladesh a year ago and were interested in starting a business selling these products in Kolkata. However, Khaleque could not fulfill their order as he struggles to meet the high demand for buttermilk in his own area.

Khaleque told that he needs 100 maunds of milk every day to make ghol, matha, curd, and ghee for the domestic market. “At least Tk1 crore worth of products are sold in my shop every month,” he said.

Currently, 10 to 12 buttermilk shops have been established in Salop, with the market trading about Tk40 crore worth of these products annually.

As in Salop, the dairy products market in the district has been thriving due to a boom in cattle farming, supported by both government and private organisations. Officials report that dairy products worth over Tk100 crore are produced annually in the district, fostering the growth of hundreds of local entrepreneurs.

According to the District Livestock Department, there are about 33,000 small and large cattle farms in Sirajganj, housing more than 1.5 million cattle and producing around 7.16 lakh tonnes of milk per year. Companies like Baghabari Milk Vita, Aarong, and others collect about three lakh litres of milk daily from farmers, with daily sales amounting to over Tk1.65 crore.

Referring to Sirajganj’s history of milk production spanning over 100 years, Abdul Khaleque, owner of the ISO-certified shop, said that he and his brother Abdul Maleque have received training and loan assistance through various projects related to producing high-quality products.

“About 50 people are employed in our two shops. There is huge demand for our matha and ghol in Malda and Siliguri in India. However, we have not been able to export our products there due to the high local demand,” Khaleque said.

Women farmers power dairy boom

"I have seen cows affected by various diseases before, but I learned how to rear cows healthily after training in the RMTP project." Cattle farmer Hashi Khatun from Ullapara, Sirajganj

To develop the market for multi-purpose milk products, the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP) is being implemented in 12 districts across the country, funded by the International Agricultural Development Fund (IFAD), Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).

The project provides technical, technological, and marketing support to 201,480 farmers and entrepreneurs, aiming to create a robust dairy products market and foster new entrepreneurs.

PKSF officials say safe milk and milk products are being produced in the district in an environmentally friendly manner. Entrepreneurs are increasing their income through processing and marketing, with rural milk collection centres set up to support their efforts.

Eco-friendly housing, pollution prevention measures, and modern machinery and technology for producing various dairy products have also been provided to the entrepreneurs.

Namita Halder, managing director of PKSF, stated that this sub-project has expanded the businesses of several hundred thousand people and increased their income.

Most of the cattle farmers involved in the project are women, who, after receiving training, started rearing cows at home. 

"At the training, I learned how to raise cattle at low cost. We were also introduced to milk traders, and through them, we now sell milk on a monthly basis."
Cattle Farmer
Meera Sanyal

One such farmer is Hashi Khatun from the Ullapara area of Sirajganj.

Hashi had six high-breed cows in her backyard farm, selling three recently and retaining three.

“I have seen cows affected by various diseases before, but I learned how to rear cows healthily after training in the RMTP project,” she said.

Taposhi Khatun, from Kamarkhand upazila, took a loan from the National Development Programme’s (NDP) Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project funded by the PKSF and IFAD in 2022 to start a cattle farm. Her farm now has two heifers and several cows.

“I underwent training on cow rearing from various institutions. I also cultivate grass on 16 acres of land. Silage is made from the grass and fed to the animals,” she said.

Taposhi Khatun, from Kamarkhand upazila, took a loan from the National Development Programme’s (NDP) Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project funded by the PKSF and IFAD in 2022 to start a cattle farm. Her farm now has two heifers and several cows.

“I underwent training on cow rearing from various institutions. I also cultivate grass on 16 acres of land. Silage is made from the grass and fed to the animals,” she said.

Another farmer, Meera Sanyal, said, “At the training, I learned how to raise cattle at low cost. We were also introduced to milk traders, and through them, we now sell milk on a monthly basis.”

Farmers say they have been trained in maintaining a healthy environment and managing waste. Many have set up biogas and vermicomposting plants and have purchased lawn mowers for mechanisation. They are also utilising telemedicine services via mobile apps.

Md Alauddin Khan, executive director of NDP, which has been working to implement modern dairy practices, told TBS, “The country will benefit if the farmers in this area are guided on how to produce and market milk in a modern and safe manner.”

Sirajganj Livestock Officer Dr Omar Faruque said, “Sirajganj has long been known as a dairy industry region. Among its upazilas, Ullapara and Shahjadpur are particularly famous for milk production. There are 37 dairy factories in these two upazilas.”

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/sirajganjs-tk100cr-dairy-market-thrives-milk-production-boom-884601

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
October 23, 2024

IoT in fisheries sector

The Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping industries, allowing remote automation through interconnected hardware and software. RMTP has introduced an IoT-based water quality monitoring device for the fisheries sub-sector in Barishal, Khulna, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Chattogram. Entrepreneurs can now access real-time data on crucial water indicators like temperature, pH level, ammonia (NH3), dissolved oxygen (DO), and salinity directly on their Android mobile phones. This cutting-edge technology allows informed decision-making for optimal fish farming conditions. The IoT system goes beyond data provision; it automates water quality parameters maintenance. When levels dip, aerators activate, and lime is added, ensuring an ideal environment for fish health and growth. The project is successfully piloting 30 such demonstrations for fisheries sector and two demonstrations for vegetable sector.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
October 23, 2024

Certified dairy products promoted through RMTP 

RMTP helps entrepreneurs introduce a range of diversified dairy products. These include sweets, curd, ghee, butter, buttermilk, and cheese. The milk used in these dairy products is collected from farmers who maintain GGAP compliance, ensuring high-quality standards. To support the entrepreneurs involved in the production of these dairy products, the project has provided comprehensive training on various business aspects such as production, processing, fortification, marketing, branding, and certification.

Besides, the project provides modern machineries to the farmers. As a result, 57 entrepreneurs have received BSTI and 41 have received ISO certificates. These certified products are now selling on online and offline marketing platforms. Also, they are exporting cheese and ghee to foreign markets. 

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
October 23, 2024

Meat processing plant established

In Bogura, Al Hasan Siyam established a meat processing plant, named ‘Bogura Meat’, with the support of GUK, a project-implementing partner organization of PKSF. RMTP provided technical and marketing assistance for this initiative. Additionally, the project facilitated linkage between Bogura Meat and local livestock farmers who adhere to GGAP compliance in cattle rearing. At the plant, cattle are slaughtered in accordance with halal standards. The demand for processed meat is significantly high in the local market. Furthermore, Al Hasan Siyam sells 1,200 kgs of tenderloin, sirloin, short loin, and round-cut beef steaks to restaurants in Dhaka every week.

RMTP has helped establish six such meat processing plants across the country. Similarly, Mama-Bhagne Agro Safe Meat, a safe beef sales centre, at Shialkol in Sirajganj sadar, has achieved ISO certification through the technical support of National Development Programme (NDP), a pewrtner organization of PKSF. Abul Kalam Azad, owner of the meat firm, said since its launch in February, beef from an average of 45 cows is being sold every month in the establishment. It has gained recognition in the district as well.

Even the district livestock officers regularly purchase beef from there. It sells meat at market prices. There is a separate clean and hygienic area for slaughtering cattle there. After halal slaughter, the blood and waste of the cattle are buried under the ground.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
August 27, 2024

Double-deck trucks and boats for livestock transportation

RMTP, in collaboration with PKSF’s partner organizations, has introduced double-deck trucks and boats for livestock transportation. This innovative system allows for the simultaneous transport of small and large animals in separate decks. This way, the project aims to significantly decrease transportation expenses, leading to increased profits for farmers and traders.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
August 25, 2024

Drip irrigation system expansion in horticulture sector

Drip irrigation is widely recognized as the most efficient water and nutrients delivery system for growing crops. By directly targeting the root zone of each plant, this system ensures that the right amount of water and nutrients is provided precisely when it is needed. Consequently, plants can grow optimally, resulting in improved yields and resource utilization.

RMTP has successfully introduced 15 drip irrigation systems across the country. The project has not only equipped farmers with an advanced technology but also fostered sustainable farming practices. By implementing drip irrigation on such a scale, the RMTP project has contributed significantly to water conservation efforts. This technology reduces water wastage by minimizing evaporation and runoff, allowing farmers to make the most of their available water resources.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
August 25, 2024

Expansion of silage production business to ensure livestock cattle feed  

Silage is a type of fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by fermentation to the point of acidification. It can be fed to cattle, sheep, and other such ruminants (cud-chewing animals). Making silage is an important way for farmers to feed cows and sheep during times when pasture isn’t favorable, such as the dry season.

RMTP established 70 demonstrations on silage production and provided entrepreneurs with the support of machinery purchase, market linkage and market promotion, both offline and online. Also, contract farming agreement was made between maize/grass growers and silage producers for the consistent supply of maize/grass to the silage factory. This initiative has led to a monthly production of 3,500 tonnes of silage. Additionally, 12,226 farmers are supplying maize/grass to the silage producers, while 33,757 farmers are purchasing the raw materials from them. This initiative has significantly enhanced the efficiency, productivity, and sales of silage producers. Moreover, it has resulted in a 25% increase of income for entrepreneurs and has created employment opportunities.

By Ehsanul Habib