Footballer turns poultry farmer

Failing to find a job, once the best footballer in Ishwardi upazila of the district took up poultry farming in 2012 with 500 layer hens, and has not looked back since then.

Abu Taleb Jowarder of Faridpur village has become a successful businessman in his area, and has inspired many unemployed youths to establish poultry farms.

He has also set up dairy, fish, and vegetable farms in his village.

“There are more than 5,000 hens in my farm now. I get around 4,000 eggs daily and earn about Tk 10,000 everyday,” Taleb said, adding that there is a bio-gas plant beside his farm, which saves fuel cost.

Taleb tried to get a suitable job a few years ago so that he could continue his playing career, but failed. He now organises football matches in his village.

“I realised that only playing is not enough to survive. Due to the struggle in my life, I had to stop playing football a few years ago. My life changed after I started the poultry farm. Now I have become a successful businessman and organise football matches in my village,” Taleb said.

Taleb has become an example in his village, showing how to survive in life with dignity, said Ishwardi Upazila Livestock Officer Mostafa Jaman, adding that Taleb is inspiring other unemployed youths in the village to be successful.

“Many people do not get suitable jobs and think they are failures in life, but this is not correct. A person earns success according to his own effort,” Taleb said, adding that many unemployed youths have taken up agro-based farming instead of trying to get a clerical job.