Mehedi Hasan, a physically challenged youth from Gholgholia village of Satkhira’s Debhata upazila has become self-reliant after he was trained in gardening by the local agriculture office.
Mehedi's father Abul Kashem said, despite being 100% speech impaired and 40% physically challenged, Mehedi became the highest earning member of the family and supports his family with his hard work.
Mehedi grows red spinach, water spinach, eggplants, chili peppers and a few other vegetables at the garden by his home. He has been farming fish in a pond while raising a few cows who are regularly being taken care of and milked by Mehedi himself.
Besides, he is also successful in farming rice on a small piece of land by a beel (marsh) near his home
Mostak Ahmed, an agriculture officer of Debhata upazila, said he learned about Mehedi's physical condition when he was working in Townsreepur and Gholgholia zones under his office. Mehedi became very interested and active after he was trained and has now become self reliant.
Sharif Md Titumir, an agriculture officer of Debhata upazila, said a number of trainings were provided to Mehedi from the Department of Agricultural Extension. After he was trained, we have provided him vegetable seeds, fertilizers, and other materials.
"Agriculture officer Mostak Ahmed taught Mehedi the techniques of preserving the seeds and growing crops first hand."
Mehedi's father Abul Kashem said: "I suffered a lot watching the state of my son. He suffered due to being physically challenged and speech impaired. Now, many people are amazed by his work and I am proud of him.”
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Taslima Akhter said: “Mehedi has made us really proud. I urge everyone to take lessons from Mehedi's exemplary effort."
