Choosing entrepreneurship over government service, young Ripon Khan, a resident of Uttar Shialkathi village under Bhandaria upazila in Pirojpur, has become financially solvent through his dairy farm.
He began with seven cows on his farm, which now stands at 60, and fetches him 300 liters of milk every day.
Selling the milk brings him Tk5.75 lakh, and after covering expenses, it leaves him with a hefty profit of Tk3 lakh.
He recollected how he set up Anowara Dairy Farm in 2018 soon after he completed his undergraduate studies with only seven cows.
The dairy farm now contains different varieties of cows such as Friesian, Jersey, Sahiwal, Sindhi and Moo (a form of cattle).
Seven labourers have been recruited to look after the 60 cows, Ripon added.
Abdul Barek, an elderly resident of Uttar Shialkathi village, said that previously their village did not have sufficient supply of cows.
This led to scarcity of cow's milk in the region, as well as lack of livestock to assist farmers in working in the fields.
"But now that Ripon is faring well with his dairy farm, he is also letting farmers use his livestock for agricultural purposes on a temporary basis," Barek mentioned.
"I earn Tk20,000 every day just by selling milk," Ripon informed, adding "After covering labourers' expenses, livestock feed, vaccines and other costs, I can earn as much as Tk3 lakh per month."
He expressed his vision to expand his dairy farm. "It is becoming difficult to hold 60 cows in my existing shed," Ripon added, "It would be appreciated if I could get some support from the government in this regard."
Abdullah Al Mamun, agriculture officer in Bhandaria upazila, said Ripon is becoming a positive example among youths in the region thanks to his flourishing dairy farm.
The agriculture office will support his endeavours in every way possible, he added.
