The hard days are gone. He has changed his life and now dreams of affluence.

He is grateful to officials of Patuakhali-Barguna Aquaculture Extension Project (PBAEP) for their advice and co-operation.

His three 'integrated gher farming' (IGF) earned him about Tk 50, 000 last year from fish and vegetables.

He inherited only the homestead with a ditch in front of his house at Shqrik Khali village in the Sader upazila. Like others he had left school while in class five.

One day in December 2001, PBAEP official Balayet went to his house and advised him to start an 'integrated gher forming' (small scale fishery and vegetable growing) in his ditch and surrounding areas. he also offered all cooperation.

As per Belayet's advice, Khalil took six days' short training. After the training he borrowed Tk 3000 from his brother in January 2001 and collected fish fries produced in a hatchery with the help of PBAEP.

He sold the fish for Tk 30,000 and earned a net profit of Tk 20,000.

This was a miracle for Khalil. He repaid the loan and leased three bighas of land at Tk 4,000 per year. He grew fish in the ponds and seasonal vegetables on the banks. He earned Tk 20, 000 by selling vegetables, Khalil told this correspondent during a visit to the village on Sunday.

Khalil was the first such farmer in the village. following his example, Jalil, Jahangir, Monir, Kamal, Amjed, Rahim, Nurul Haq and Mizan of the village are now better off. They are trained by PBAEP men.

Habib-Al-Asad, Senior Training Officer of PBAEP said 2600 IGFs have been set up in the PBAEP. More 4000 will be set up this year. The project was started in 1997 with assistance from DANIDA.