While students in Bangladesh spend about four years just finishing a degree, undergraduate Mariam took a different path. Alongside her studies she has built a garden and has already emerged as a successful entrepreneur.

When people were confined to their homes during the coronavirus pandemic, Mariam dreamt of building a garden. She started with a single plant costing Tk 350 and has not looked back. Today her garden holds plants worth lakhs of taka. She pays for her own studies and supports her family. Mariam Nahar Mou is a fourth-year student in the management department of Government Titumir College. She passed her SSC and HSC in Cumilla and lives with her family in her home village.

She began on just 3 decimals of her family's land; her garden now covers 10 decimals. "My garden now has about 150 species of flowers, including succulents, lilies and water roses, and 60 colours of grass flowers," Mariam said. "In normal times I earn about Tk 6,000 a month just from selling flowers, grass and seedlings from the garden. Besides, there is a good profit in the plants' various special seasons."

She also grows seasonal vegetables on the same land. "Growing vegetables meets my family's needs, and by selling the surplus I have increased my income further," she said. "There are two benefits: unadulterated vegetables meet the body's nutritional needs, and the extra income creates employment."

Asked about the obstacles she faced, she said: "At first my family did not really support me. Later my family became my strength. My parents stand beside me like a shadow. At first some people close to me belittled my gardening, but later they said nothing more, because today I am successful. I am very proud to say that because of the success of my garden business I have become well known in the village too."

For new entrepreneurs Mariam said: "My small garden is in a small village in Cumilla. I have dreamt of this since childhood, and today it has come true. With effort and will, people can do anything. My wish is that many girls like me will fulfil their hobby by gardening and become self-reliant. I also dream of making my garden bigger and creating employment for others."

Written by Siam Mahmud, a student at Government Titumir College, Dhaka.

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