Balancing education with entrepreneurship, 24-year-old Md Akibul Islam has become an inspiration for unemployed youths in Kashiani upazila by running two poultry farms and earning around Tk 9 lakh a year.
A third-year BBS student at Ramdia Sreekrishna College, Akibul is the son of Borhan Uddin of Sajail village under Sajail Union in Kashiani.
About four years ago, he took over two poultry farms established by his father at Dighargati village in Mahmudpur Union. The farms had only around 800 chickens at the time.
Akibul initially faced several difficulties, including high chicken mortality. However, with advice from livestock officials, modern treatment methods and intensive care, he turned the farms into profitable ventures within the first year.
The farms now have more than 3,000 chickens, and Akibul earns around Tk 9 lakh annually from selling them. His income from the farms is about three times higher than what his father previously earned.
Besides running the farms, Akibul provides online training on poultry rearing. More than 50 people, including expatriate Bangladeshis and unemployed youths, have so far received training from him, while around 20 trainees have established their own poultry farms.
Sadhan Roy of Dighargati, who spent six years in Saudi Arabia, said he received poultry-farming training from Akibul online while abroad. After returning home, he also gained practical experience by working at Akibul's farm.
“Now I am raising around 2,000 broiler chickens on my own farm. After deducting expenses, I expect to earn around Tk 2 lakh from a 90-day production cycle,” he said.
Roy said Akibul had trained him and others in disease prevention, proper care, the balanced use of poultry feed, primary treatment and other aspects of poultry management.
College student Niloy Bay, another trainee, said Akibul had demonstrated that poultry farming could be a profitable profession.
“He showed me that a farm with 1,500 chickens can generate at least Tk 5 lakh a year. So, instead of running after jobs, I have decided to establish a poultry farm,” Niloy said.
Local resident Jasim Molla said Akibul's success had encouraged many people in the area to take up poultry farming.
“There were only two poultry farms in the village before. Now there are around 20, creating employment opportunities for about 60 people,” he said.
Akibul said he plans to expand his farms and establish a large poultry-based industry in the future.
“I want to create employment opportunities for thousands of people. I am working towards that goal. I will continue providing online training so that more unemployed youths and expatriates returning home can become self-reliant through poultry farming,” he said.
Gopalganj District Livestock Officer Dr Gobinda Chandra Sardar praised Akibul's initiative and assured him of all possible support.
“If educated and hardworking young people like Akibul come forward, the poultry sector can experience a revolution,” he said.
He added that following proper farming practices could reduce chicken mortality, increase the production of safe broiler meat and help meet the country's protein demand. At the same time, poultry farming can create rural employment and help young people become economically self-reliant.