Abdur Rahim, a young agricultural entrepreneur from Bhogdoba village in Birganj upazila, has successfully transformed his fortune through agriculture instead of chasing employment.
He has created a significant stir in the area by cultivating an improved local variety of pointed gourd using entirely organic fertilisers and toxic-free methods.
In the current season, Rahim cultivated the gourds on 45 decimals of land. His total expenditure, encompassing land preparation, seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation, amounted to approximately Tk52,000.
To date, he has sold his produce for Tk1.7 lakh, yielding a net profit of Tk1.18 lakh in just one season after deducting all costs.
Rahim attributed his success to the high demand and favourable prices for the gourds in the local market.
Inspired by Rahim’s achievements, other farmers in the area are now being encouraged to take up pointed gourd cultivation.
Local wholesalers are daily purchasing these high-quality gourds directly from the field to supply various parts of the country.
According to Birganj upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shariful Islam, pointed gourds have been cultivated on approximately 20 hectares of land in the upazila this season.
He noted that about 50 educated youths have found success in gourd farming this year, with the agriculture department providing them with modern consultancy and technical support, including IPM (Integrated Pest Management) technology.
Md Afzal Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Dinajpur, remarked that the involvement of educated youth in agriculture represents a major positive shift for the nation.
He said Rahim serves as a “bright example” of how a successful career can be built in agriculture through proper planning and hard work.
