Rabeya Begum working along with labourers in her fish enclosure at Mithabari village of Tala Upazila. — FE Photo
JHENIDAH, Jan 11: Rabeya Begum (34) has set an unique example of making a huge amount of money cultivating fish in an enclosure (gher) taken on lease in Tala Upazila of Satkhira.
Rabeya, wife of Azinur Rahman of Saleh Para at Mithabari village under the Upazila, leased the enclosure covering 25 bighas of land, heightened its banks and released prawn fries in 2008.
However, the devastating Aila of 2009, destroyed the banks and all the fishes went out causing her a huge loss of around Tk 0.5 million. Her family faced an acute financial crisis. Later, she received loan of Tk 50,000 from an NGO and repaired the banks spending about Tk 0.4 million.
The woman again released prawn fries worth Tk 0.15 million in 2010 in the pond and sold white fish for Tk 0.5 million and shrimps at Tk 0.8 million from June to December. She made a net profit of Tk 0.4 million that year. In 2011, she sold fish for Tk 1.6 million while she had to spend Tk 1.2 million.
She spent Tk 1.4 million in 2012 and got Tk 1.9 million for the sale.
In 2013, Tk 2.5 million was earned after spending Tk 1.7 million.
This year Rabeya has spent Tk 1.8 million, and she expects to sell fish for Tk 2.7 million.
Besides, she planted 250 Kul plants in June, 2013 and sold the fruit for Tk 50,000 for the first time in December last. She is expecting to sell fruits next year at around Tk 0.15 million. Two permanent and 8/10 part-time labourers are employed to look after the enclosure.
Rabeya could not continue her studies as she got married while reading in class III. She is bringing up her three sons with utmost care. She dreams of making them graduates.
Rabeya Begum said, "If I get a loan from any bank under refunding facilities of Bangladesh Bank, I can make a contribution to economy of the country."
aminul104060@gmail.com
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
