In 2019, Fazlu, then a small-time tea seller, liquidated almost all his savings to buy a pair of pigeons of local variety for Tk 800. And soon this humble villager turned his hobby into a full-fledged business -- that of pigeon rearing.
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"On an average, I spend Tk 5,000-6,000 a month on pigeons, that's on food and medicines, and earn a profit of Tk 25,000-30,000 per mensem by selling the birds," Fazlu says.
The 30-year-old does not have any formal education, and that's why he started selling tea at Badaghat Bazar. "I used to toil day and night to ensure two square meals a day for my family. Now, I am a successful entrepreneur," he says.
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Fazlu owns a small pigeon farm on the premises of his home, big enough to house 100 pairs of 15-20 different species, including Homer, Red Siraji, Giribaj, Moyurponkhi and China. "My wife is also actively involved in our business," Fazlu says.
Every day, people from different parts of the district flock to Fazlu's farm to purchase pigeons. "These birds are prone to viruses and contagious diseases. So, they need a very clean environment and we ensure that in our farm," he says.
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Recently, Fazlu also took a loan of Tk 1 lakh from a local NGO, ‘Asha’, to expand his pigeon farm. He dreams of owning a large-scale business. "The government must take necessary steps to ensure hassle-free loans for entrepreneurs like us," he says.
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Fazlu is admired by many in the village. “He is a bird lover and inspiration for youths in the village," says Mohammad Shah Alam, a local doctor.
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