Rajshahi: Murad Parvez's entrepreneurial journey began by following in his father's footsteps in the mango trade, yet with a modern twist. By leveraging the power of social media, Murad transformed a traditional business model into a thriving e-commerce venture.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Murad, hailing from Paikpara village in Paba upazila, pursued his education in Food Technology and Nutrition at Noakhali Science and Technology University. He further enhanced his expertise with a master's degree in Food Safety and Public Health Nutrition. With a foundation in nutrition science, his ambition was to provide nutritious food, a goal that has significantly contributed to his success as an entrepreneur.
Murad launched his e-commerce platform, Mango Lover, in 2020, setting himself apart by offering online mango orders with doorstep delivery. Despite initial skepticism and sarcastic remarks from others, Murad remained undeterred. His innovative approach quickly gained traction, and he expanded his offerings to include pure date molasses during the winter months.
Today, Mango Lover stands as one of the largest entrepreneurial ventures in the district, providing employment to 35 people directly. Additionally, Murad's initiative indirectly employs around 80 sap collectors, or gachhis, who produce pure date molasses from approximately 6,000 date palm trees. This enterprise not only offers high-quality products to customers but also ensures fair compensation for the gachhis, who hail from villages such as Bajrapur, Kathalbari, and Amgachhi.
In a region where adulterated molasses has been a concern, Murad's commitment to quality has been recognized by the Department of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP). During an inspection of date palm jaggery production in Bajrapur village, Ibrahim Hossain, Divisional Deputy Director of the DNCRP, expressed satisfaction with the traditional methods used by the sap collectors for Mango Lover.
The success story of Murad Parvez is part of a broader trend of burgeoning e-commerce entrepreneurship in Rajshahi, fueled by digital skills initiatives, support from local IT firms, and women empowerment programs. Entrepreneurs like Nipa Sengupta, who started with a modest investment in millet powder and burley flour, have also thrived. Her business has expanded to include a variety of nutritious, adulteration-free products, contributing to the economic empowerment of women in the region.
Overall, the e-commerce sector in Rajshahi is experiencing rapid growth, driven by innovative business models and a focus on quality, benefiting both entrepreneurs and consumers alike.