Digholia: In the quiet village of Brahmagati under Digholia upazila in Khulna, a once struggling mason has turned his life around through hard work and determination. Mizanur Rahman, a 35-year-old local youth, is now a successful poultry farmer and an example of how dedication and self-belief can lead to prosperity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, before starting his farm, Mizanur worked as a construction labourer to support his family. “Life was hard, and my income barely covered daily expenses. But instead of giving up, I dreamed of building something of my own. Two years ago, encouraged by my friends and local farmers Khalid Khan and Baki Khan, I decided to start a small broiler farm in my village,” Mizan said on Thursday while talking to BSS.
Mizanur shared that he visited several local farms and learned from experienced farmers before starting his own. He began with only 300 broiler chickens, despite having no previous experience. He invested about Tk 2 lakh to build the poultry shed and purchase necessary materials. Although his first batch yielded little profit, Mizanur persisted, learning from his mistakes and gradually expanding his farm.
Currently, his farm houses approximately 1,200 broiler chickens. Each production cycle requires an investment of about Tk 3.5 lakh, yielding a profit of roughly Tk 1 lakh per batch after selling the chickens for around Tk 4.5 lakh. His journey has not been without challenges; a disease outbreak last year resulted in the loss of about 200 chickens. However, Mizanur adapted by becoming more vigilant about farm management and health safety.
Mizanur and his wife manage the farm together, handling all aspects from feeding to selling. They have not relied on bank loans or government assistance, instead operating entirely on their own capital. Digholia Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Mahmuda Sultana praised Mizanur’s dedication, noting that his success is motivating other young people in the area to pursue poultry farming, thereby contributing significantly to the rural economy.
The demand for Mizanur’s chickens has been rising steadily in local markets, prompting many young men to visit his farm for advice and to learn about poultry management. Mizanur aspires to expand his farm into a larger enterprise, aiming to create jobs for others. He believes that hard work and honesty will lead to success.
Mizanur Rahman stands as a beacon of inspiration for many, particularly in a time when numerous young people are seeking government jobs. His story demonstrates how determination and perseverance can transform dreams into reality. Mushfiq Shakil, another poultry farmer, considers Mizanur an inspiration for himself and other unemployed youth who have become self-reliant through poultry farming.
Livestock experts highlight that family poultry farming is a common subsidiary occupation for farmers in rural Khulna, providing significant economic benefits and employment opportunities, especially for women. Despite challenges such as disease outbreaks, family poultry farming has improved livelihoods by promoting savings, enhancing social status, and empowering women.