Stories
Ashraf Ali of Kalitala, Sariakandi Upazila, Bogura, retired from a construction company at the age of 60. After retirement, he started some businesses but lost his capital. He broke emotionally. Later, he saw the lucrative possibility of raising Garol Sheep on YouTube and became enthusiastic about Garol rearing.
He said, “I started the farm a year ago with 25 Garols. However, I had no idea about their proper management and disease. As a result, faced a series of problems one after another.” He was identified as an entrepreneur in the Value Chain Development sub-project under the RMTP through its partner organization named Gram Unnayan Karma – GUK. He started raising Garol in a modern system with the support of RMTP project. With proper farm management and support from the services providers, at present, in his farm, a total of 92 Garols. Also, three employees are working in his farm.
This IFAD–funded project is implemented by PKSF through its partner organization, Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK). Through this project, he began modernizing his Garol farming and, with proper farm management as well as support from the services providers, he was able to increase the number of Garols on his farm.
He added, “There is a huge demand for Garol meat in the market as it is delicious. Now, Garol meat is selling at BDT 800 per kg in the market. ”
He participated in the Livestock Exhibition-2022 organized by “District Livestock Office, Bogura” in Sariakandi Upazila to inspire others to keep Garol rearing. Garol became the main attraction at that fair, and he won first place.
Ashraf Ali said, “Female Garol start giving birth at the age of six months. They usually eat all kinds of food like goat or sheep.” After deducting his monthly expenses for running the farm, he earns about BDT 12,000.
Many people are enthusiastic to visit his Garol farm and have set up a Garol farm in this area. Mia, a student from Dhap village in Sariakandi Upazila, said, “I’m rearing Garol in my home beside study. Now, I’m able to provide extra financial support to my parents and bearing my education cost.“
Ashraf Ali said that, he will increase the size of his Garol farm in future, so that he can supply more Garol to the interested Garol farmers.
Osman Gani, a field worker at the Sariakandi Livestock Office, said Ashraf Ali is the pioneer of Garol farming. Following his success many of the local farmers rearing Garol in this area. Through the RMTP project, 70 Garol demonstration farm have been established by 8 Partner Organizations.
