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Moslem’s aim was always to become successful at whatever he does
Moslem Uddin and his family had to struggle immensely to make ends meet. From working for others to ferrying goods from one market to another, they had done it all.
But it was through cultivating lemons and malta, also known as sweet oranges, that finally brought them out of poverty, and made them self-sufficient.
A resident of Kirtankhola village under Gajaria union of Tangail’s Sakhipur upazila, extreme hardship had deterred his progress in school, forcing him to drop out at an early age. But his aim was always to become successful at whatever he does.
An opportunity of working abroad cornered him into another dead end, as the intermediaries swindled him out of his money.
But he never lost hope. He began to grow lemons and malta in his courtyard, which brought him some money.
Moslem decided to take help from Sakhipur upazila Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE)’s office, who provided him with training, and logistical support to expand his cultivation.
In 2013, he managed to take on lease, a bigger piece of land from an acquaintance, and never looked back.
He started cultivating Bari-1 malta and lemons on 4.5 acre in 2016, which later expanded with the local, sour variety of jujubes. He currently grows the three, along with three other fruits. Not only has this fetched him success, but has also generated employment for several labourers under him.
“One’s fortune can change even with agriculture,” Moslem remarked, “I have hired seven to look after my orchard, while 20-25 labourers are contractually hired to work on them.”
Obaidul Haque Khan, deputy agriculture officer at Sakhipur upazila, said his office has been helping Moslem Uddin ever since he approached them for help. “Others can emulate his model of perseverance, and try their luck to attain success.”
(DT)
