Growing up in Gopinathpur village of Chuadanga, Md. Enamul Haque (26) understood the realities of financial hardship from an early age. After completing his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 2016, he joined his family’s small grocery shop to help support the household. While the business provided a modest income, Enamul dreamed of building something bigger. Seeing the growing demand for medicinal plants, he developed a business plan to cultivate Akani, a high-value medicinal crop. However, limited capital prevented him from turning his vision into reality.
A new chapter in Enamul’s entrepreneurial journey began in September 2024, when he was identified through a field survey conducted by WAVE’s SME financing program. Following a business assessment, he received his first SME loan of BDT 15 lakh. Combined with his personal savings, the loan enabled him to cultivate 3.33 acres of Akani. The venture proved highly successful, motivating him to expand his grocery business, establish a pesticide dealership, and make further investments in commercial agriculture. Building on this success, WAVE continued to support Enamul’s business growth by providing additional SME loans of BDT 7 lakh in 2025 and BDT 20 lakh in 2026.
With continuous financial support from WAVE, technical guidance from agricultural experts and his own determination, Enamul transformed his business into a diversified agribusiness. Today, he cultivates 10 acres of Akani along with 2.67 acres of Malta, 2 acres of Guava, 1.67 acres of Dragon Fruit and 1.67 acres of Paddy, covering a total of 18 acres of owned and leased land. His grocery and pesticide businesses have also expanded with a large warehouse and commercial facilities. During the last financial year alone, he produced approximately 8,000 kilograms of Akani, earning an estimated BDT 45 lakh in net profit. His agricultural products are supplied to local markets, traded through Dhaka’s Chawkbazar, and exported through business linkages with companies in China and India, with representatives from Chinese companies visiting Bangladesh to establish direct business relationships.
Today, Enamul’s enterprise provides regular employment for 20 workers, creating stable livelihoods for around 20 rural families while inspiring many young people to view agriculture as a promising business opportunity.
With confidence Enamul said, “WAVE Foundation believed in my dream when I had only a business idea and limited resources. Their financial support gave me the confidence to invest in commercial agriculture. Today, I am not only supporting my own family but also creating employment opportunities for many others in my community.”
Looking ahead, Enamul plans to expand commercial farming, introduce modern agricultural technologies, strengthen export opportunities for medicinal plants and fruits and establish a processing and packaging facility. Through its SME financing program, WAVE Foundation empowers rural entrepreneurs, creating employment and strengthening local economies.
