Over 500 people become self-reliant from dairy farming in Joypurhat

More than 500 ultra-poor dairy farm owners have become self-reliant in Joypurhat district in recent years.

Once in extreme poverty, they are now leading a life of dignity where they no longer have to turn to others for livelihood.

Some privately-owned dairy farms are also playing a revolutionary role in the fate of hundreds ultra-poor milkpersons.

In a recent visit at Madhupikur bazaar under Khetlal upazila of the district the correspondent of FE found each litre of milk being sold from Tk 40 to 50.

Local curd makers, known as Ghosh, gather in front of the milk markets from 11.00 AM to purchase fresh milk.

“Around 5000 litre milk is sold daily in the big milk markets as some ghosh of Dupchanchia upazila visit here,” said milk trader Rafiqul Islam, 34, Alompur village under khetlal upazila of the district.

“I have reared five indigenous cows in my tin shed farms taking loans from local non-government organisation (NGO) last year and got average 25kg of milk every day,” said Azadul Islam, 45, at Deyol village under Akkelpur upazila of the district.

“Every day, I spend Tk 250 on average to provide fodder to the cattle and get some 25kg milk worth Tk 1200 to 1250,” he added.

Local livestock (DL) officials said these people would used to work as day labourers before starting their farms. According to them, there is a huge potential milk of production in the region.

If dairy farm owners are provided loans on easy terms, the sector can expand significantly in the region, they added.

Dairy farms are gradually expanding in and around Joypurhat due to rampant demand of milk, which is used to prepare curd, sweet, khir, Chhana and so on in the region.