Hobby that led him to a successful entrepreneur

There are more than nine foreign breeds in the farm including European Brahma, Cochin, American Sebright, Silkie, Frizzle, and Nederland's Polish Cap, Malaysian Serama, and Indian Kadaknath and Bantam.

Four years ago, a college student named Sujan, 25, had begun a poultry farm on the rooftop of his house for pleasure. 
Starting with two chickens, he has now more than 150 chickens of different foreign breeds in his farm. He earns around Tk25,000-30,000 a month.

Sujon Hasan Joy, son of Sirajul Islam at Munjitpur area in Satkhira, is a second-year student at the Department of Islamic Studies in Satkhira Government College. 

He has decided to go for chicken rearing as it requires a small investment and is profitable. Every day, many unemployed youths from various areas visit the farm.

Joy told The Business Standard, "I set up the farm with two American Silkie chickens four years ago on the rooftop of my house. The number of chickens increased when the two chickens started breeding. Besides, I have collected different foreign breeds of chickens from many places."

There are more than nine foreign breeds in the farm such as European Brahma, Cochin, American Sebright, Silkie, Frizzle, and Nederland's Polish Cap, Malaysian Serama, and Indian Kadaknath and Bantam.

All the chickens amount to more than Tk5 lakh. People usually keep these breeds as a hobby, Joy said.

Chickens are transported to interested customers in Dhaka, Bogura, Barishal, Khulna, Mymensingh and Chattogram. There are some buyers at his locality too.

Joy said he has become self-reliant by rearing chickens and he does not have to work hard. 

He earns around Tk25,000-30,000 a month while he spends around Tk5,000-6,000 for taking care of those. 

"Joy contributes to the family with his earnings from the farm. I often look after the chickens in his absence. Many youths from different areas visit the farm," said Lily Begum, mother of Joy. 

Being inspired by Joy, housemaker Sakila Begum of Munjitpur area has bought a pair of American Sebrite at Tk5,000 and has started a farm. 

Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam, a livestock officer of Satkhira, said his department can help young entrepreneurs like Joy.

"Joy has not come to us yet. We can help young entrepreneurs like him through the government's National Agricultural Technology Programme. 

The government has also initiated a mega project named Livestock and Development Project. Besides technical assistance, we can provide the financial support required to expand his farm," he said.