Md. Motaleb Hossain, a fish farmer from Furshedpur village in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, struggled for years to earn a stable income from traditional fish farming and agriculture. With a 1-acre pond and 0.67 acres of farmland, he produced around 1,500-2,000 kg of Rui (Labeo rohita), Catla (Labeo catla) and Mrigel (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) annually, earning only BDT 2-3 lakh in net profit. The decline in fish prices in 2022 further deepened his financial difficulties.
A turning point came when Motaleb participated in a safe fish production training organized by WAVE Foundation through its Agro-Microenterprise Development Unit, with support from PKSF. The training introduced him to modern and sustainable aquaculture practices and the potential of G-3 Rohu, an improved variety known for faster growth, better disease resistance and strong market demand. Building on the resources he already had, Motaleb transformed his 1-acre pond from a source of low and uncertain returns into a productive fish enterprise. He began producing G-3 Rohu fingerlings and adopted improved aquaculture practices, enabling him to make better use of his existing pond and significantly increase his productivity and income.
Today, his annual net profit has risen to around BDT 8 lakh. The increased income is helping him support his children’s education, build a permanent home and save for the future. He also earns additional income by growing vegetables along the pond banks. His success has also inspired eight other farmers in the community to adopt G-3 Rui farming. Recalling those difficult days, Motaleb Hossain said,
“I worked hard throughout the year, yet there was almost nothing left in the end. Today, this pond has become my family’s greatest source of hope.”
With continued support from WAVE’s Agro-Microenterprise Development Unit, Motaleb now looks ahead with bigger ambitions. He plans to expand his fish farming enterprise by leasing an additional 1.5 acres of land and cultivating G-3 Rui, Katla and carp fish across 2.5 acres. He also dreams of introducing modern aquaculture equipment, supplying fish directly to Dhaka and establishing a large fish farm by 2030 that will create employment opportunities for people in his community.
