Ismail Hossain Tuku of Jamalganj in Akkelpur upazila is a successful poultry entrepreneur. In 2000 he started his farm in three sheds with just 5,000 Sonali chicks, and he has not looked back since. He now has eight farms in three-storey and six-storey buildings, producing more than 100,000 chickens.

"I started the farm with Sonali chickens from the beginning, and it is still Sonali chickens," Ismail Hossain Tuku said. "In all, 120 employees work on the eight farms. The farms now have 30,000 Sonali chicks, 20,000 pullets and 50,000 laying birds. We also have several businesses, including SSB Poultry and Hatchery Complex, Rafid Agro Industries and Rifad Agro Industries."

Ayub Ali, a farmer from Rukindipur village in Akkelpur upazila, said: "I used to do another business. I started a farm with 500 Sonali chicks from Ismail Hossain Tuku bhai. Now I have three farms where I raise 15,000-20,000 chickens. Tuku bhai helped me a lot in setting up the farm. I am now a successful farmer, and eight employees work regularly on my farm."

Nurnabi, a farmer from Shahapur village in Joypurhat Sadar upazila, said: "I was unemployed. I started a farm by taking chicks on credit from Tuku bhai and paid him back by selling the chickens. That is how I increased the number of farms. Inspired by Tuku bhai's farm, I have become a successful farmer."

Raju Ahmed and Golam Morshed, employees on Ismail Hossain Tuku's farm, said: "We have been working on bhai's farm for eight years. What we earn there keeps our families going well."

Dr Amirul Islam, Akkelpur upazila livestock officer, said: "Ismail Hossain Tuku is a successful farmer in Joypurhat and Akkelpur upazila. Following his example and with training from him, many people have succeeded in raising chickens. We regularly monitor his farms and others and always give them advice."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.