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Rajbari’s yogurt maker helps local economy grow
PHOTO: SUNZIT KUMAR DAS
SUZIT KUMAR DAS, Faridpur
Md Niamul Islam did not like to eat the yogurt or curd sold at sweetmeat shops. So, he tried to make it himself at home using his own cow’s milk. Little did he know that this effort would one day make him an entrepreneur.
Other than achieving success in his own right, Naimul employs seven youths in his village at his yogurt factory, centring which several dairy farms have been established in the area.
Naimul, who hails from Shirirampur village under Madapur union of Rajbari Sadar upazila, was admitted to Islamic University in 2006. But due to poverty, he had to leave his studies after one year.
Now though, Niamul earns Tk 50,000 per month from his yogurt factory called “Halal Sor Doi.”
“After returning from the university I started fish cultivation in our small pond and reared a cow. In 2010 I joined a local Madrasah as teacher but Ieft the job as they demanded Tk 2 lakh for my post as MPO in 2014,” he said.
After that, he started rearing two cows and could collect 5-6 liters of milk from each but there was a problem in selling the milk as there were not enough customers in the area.
So, Naimul decided to use the milk to make sweets and yogurt.
“I saw a cup ice-cream that sold at Tk 20. Then I hit upon a plan that I would make yogurt at home in the same cup and it would be sold Tk 20 in 2018,” he said.
“I spoke with a shopkeeper about it, he inspired me to do that and gave me word he would sell my yogurt at his shop,” Naimul added.
He supplied some yogurt the next day and got good feedback from customers.
After that he gradually increased the quantity from 3.5 liter and within one year the quantity raised at 50 liters of yogurt.
At first he would collected milk from different houses of his village but it was not enough for him as the demand of his yogurt had already increased.
“I had to appoint someone to help me make yogurt and market it. All the people of our area who rearing cows gave their milk and I gave them the market price. That why, they stated rearing more cows at their house,” he said.
Now Niamul needs 620-650 liters milk every day to full fill the demand of his yogurt at different markets, including those in Dhaka, Faridpur, Kushtia and Rajbari.
Sumon Islam, a resident of Rajdhorpur village under Baliakandi upazila in Rajbari, said he started his dairy farm with two Australian cows in 2016.
“And I gradually increased the number of the cows in my farm but there was a problem in selling milk at local markets as I collected 50 kgs or more every day,” he said.
“Now though, I have 35 cows in my farm, of which 10 give 120 liters of milk daily. I do not face any problem as I give all the milk at Niamul yogurt.,” he added.
Md Nazir Hossain, another dairy farmer of Surjadia village under Madapur union of Rajbari sadar upazila, said he initially started hiscattle farm with two cows.
“Now I have seven cows that give 35-40 litter milk every day. I will collect more 25 liters milk from another two cows from next month. Due to Niamul yogurt factory we can easily sell all milk at his farm,” he said.
Another dairy farmer of Rajdhorpur village, Saharul Mollha, said he once worried about being able to sell his milk as there were not enough customers in the area.
“We previously had to go different sweet shops at Rajbari town to sell milk. Due to Naimul, we can sell milk from home. So people of our area who are involved in farming are rearing two-five cows and sell milk,” he added.
Abdul Kudus, a resident of Gobindapur village said, Naimul’s yogurt factory opened a new business for him.
“I visit different villages near my house and buy milk at Tk 45-48 per liter and I sell it to Niamul at Tk 50 per liter. This way I earn Tk 500-800 per day,” he said.
To prepare 320-350 kgs of yogurt at Niamul’factctory, which situated at his house, he needs seven or more people.