Financial hardship and family responsibilities kept 29-year-old Shakil Talukder of Nazirpur village in Khetlal upazila, Joypurhat, from pursuing higher education. After passing the higher secondary examination, he entered the struggle to earn a living. He later built a farm through training and hard work. What began with two cows and six goats has expanded into livestock, fish farming and agriculture. His farm now employs 12 workers, and about 40 young people from his village have joined farming and farm-based work after being inspired by his success.
Shakil is the eldest of three brothers. He could not continue his studies after higher secondary school because of the family’s financial crisis. He had to find work while caring for his elderly parents, paying household expenses and supporting his younger brother’s education. His middle brother works in a shop.
Shakil realised that he would have to create his own employment to become self-reliant. In 2021, he trained in livestock, fisheries and animal husbandry through the Department of Youth Development. In 2023, he also took freelancing training from the department. Using what he learned, he decided to become an entrepreneur and took loans, including a youth loan, to begin raising livestock.
At first, his farm had two cows and six goats. He reinvested the income from selling cow’s milk into the farm. The operation gradually expanded and now has 12 cows and 10 goats.
Shakil has also moved into agriculture and fish farming. He grows sugarcane, chillies, tomatoes, rice, elephant foot yam, bottle gourd, sweet pumpkin and other crops and vegetables on about three acres of land. He also farms fish in two ponds. His businesses now provide jobs for 12 workers.
Shakil’s success has changed not only his family’s life but also how other young people in the village think. Some became interested in vegetable farming, others in fish farming, while others have tried to start their own agricultural enterprises. About 40 young people have found a path to employment by following his example.
Mohammad Kabir Hossain, Abdul Gafur and Shahid Ali of Nazirpur said they were inspired by Shakil’s work. They began growing vegetables and fish after following his plans and methods. They said his example showed them that hard work could make people self-reliant even in a village.
Alongside farming, Shakil is involved in community work. He serves as the team leader of Ansar and VDP in Alampur union and takes part in social-awareness activities with Ansar members.
District Youth Development Officer Abu Bakar Siddique said training and hard work were central to Shakil’s success. He described Shakil as highly diligent and said he had applied the knowledge gained through training to establish himself as a successful entrepreneur.
Shakil’s journey shows that people do not have to wait only for jobs; they can use skills and training to create their own ventures. His operation, which began with two cows and limited means, now supports his family and inspires young people across the village.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report