Austagram: Cattle and duck farming in haor areas is becoming a profitable occupation for impoverished women, transforming the lives of many. Among these women is Shahara Khatun, a housewife from Austagram upazila in Kishoreganj district, who has achieved self-reliance through cattle farming. Her success story has inspired other women in her community to strive for self-dependence.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shahara Khatun’s journey is distinct from other women in her area. Married to local farmer Nasir Mia in 1998, Shahara began her entrepreneurial journey by starting a duck and hen farm at her home after just one year of marriage. Within a few years, she amassed considerable earnings by selling duck and hen eggs. With her husband’s stable income as a farmer covering household expenses, Shahara was able to save and invest in her business, which also served as the family’s main source of nutrition.
In 2008, Shahara expanded her venture by purchasing four cows, embarking on a new path in cattle fattening. With her husband’s encouragement and assistance, she now owns seven cows. She strategically sells and replaces cattle during Eid-ul-Adha, a practice that has yielded her approximately Taka 14 lakh in earnings. Last year, Shahara invested Taka 8 lakh in purchasing an acre of cropland. Her financial independence also enables her to support her four sons’ education, with her eldest studying law at a private university in Dhaka.
Reflecting on her achievements, Shahara expressed her aspiration for self-reliance, a dream her husband supported. “Though my husband is a successful farmer, I never sought any financial support from him. Instead, I helped my family in the study of my sons,” she stated, emphasizing her independence.
Monira Begum, a widow from the same village, shares a similar success story. Following her husband’s passing, Monira turned to cattle farming to support her six children. She now sells 6-8 liters of milk daily from her four cows, earning about Taka three lakh annually. Monira started her venture with a Taka 20 thousand loan from her brother, purchasing a cow cub which grew into her current cattle farm.
Syeda Nasima Akter, a social worker and women leader in Austagram upazila, noted that many women like Shahara and Monira are achieving self-dependence through such farming initiatives. She expressed hope that more women in the haor region would find prosperity in cattle and duck farming.