Bishapara: Bishapara village in Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur has gained recognition as the "Dugdha Village" due to its thriving dairy farming industry. Located in the Boaldar union, the village is home to 65 dairy farms rearing both local and foreign breeds of cows. Each farm houses around 16 to 25 milk-producing cows, with individual market values ranging from Tk 80,000 to Tk 200,000. Through dairy farming, the villagers have achieved economic self-reliance.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, livestock Officer Md. Habibur Rahman, attached to the Hakimpur Upazila Livestock Office and engaged in dairy research with the private development organization MBSK, stated that Bishapara currently hosts 68 dairy farms with a total of 265 cows, including 85 heifers, 65 crossbreeds, and 115 native cows. Approximately 85 cows produce around 570 kilograms of milk daily.
The village's economic transformation has been supported by NGO initiatives, providing training and resources for dairy farming. As a result, many families in Bishapara have become financially self-sufficient through milk sales. On January 1, 2017, the Hakimpur Upazila Livestock Office officially declared Bishapara as a "Dugdha Village."
A field visit to the village revealed the success of the dairy farming industry. Md. Masudur Rahman, a retired Bangladesh Army member and farmer, shared his journey of purchasing a Friesian cow six years ago. His farm now boasts eight cows, producing 50 to 60 kilograms of milk daily. Previously facing challenges in selling milk, Rahman now benefits from direct collection by wholesalers from Bogura, selling milk at Tk 50-60 per kilogram.
Amena Begum, another farmer, detailed their success story of purchasing foreign heifers with a low-interest loan. Their farm now includes seven cows, producing 50 to 60 kilograms of milk daily, and contributing to their financial stability by selling cows and purchasing land.
Hakimpur Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Abdus Samad highlighted the regular training sessions and medical support for farmers, emphasizing Bishapara's status as a model village for dairy production.