After completing the Master’s degree in Physics from Khulna BL College, Mohsin Kabir, 28, explored opportunities in both government and private organizations with the hope of building a secure future for himself and his family. When a suitable employment opportunity did not come his way despite repeated efforts, he decided to explore a different path. In 2024, Mohsin began commercial guava and malta cultivation on 0.66 acre of his father’s land in Katapol village, Jibannagar, Chuadanga, turning his interest in agriculture into an opportunity for self-employment.
His decision faced criticism from family, friends and neighbors who questioned whether agriculture was suitable for a postgraduate. Although his father provided land, he could not offer financial support. Undeterred, Mohsin invested BDT 15,000 saved from private tutoring to plant his first guava saplings.
Determined to make farming profitable, he received technical training from government institutions and NGOs on orchard management, sapling care, fertilizer application and pest and disease control. As his orchard expanded, weed management became a major challenge, increasing labour costs and consuming considerable time. After unsuccessful attempts to obtain a mini power tiller, he learned about WAVE Foundation’s “Promotion of Value Added Fruits for Sustainable Growth and Instituting RECP Practices (SMART)” project through a friend.
Under the project, WAVE arranged a mini power tiller through its grant for model fruit growers. The equipment made weed control and cultivation easier, faster, and more cost-effective, reducing his dependence on labor. The SMART project also provided hands-on training on climate-resilient agriculture, Good Agricultural Practices, organic pesticides, organic fertilizers and vermicomposting. Applying these skills, Mohsin gradually reduced chemical inputs and adopted safer, environmentally friendly farming practices.
“WAVE’s support has given me the confidence and skills to make farming more productive and sustainable,” said Mohsin.
His enterprise has now expanded to around 2.64-3.30 acres where he cultivates fruits alongside vegetables such as onion and coriander. His annual income is around BDT 5 lakh and his enterprise has created local employment opportunities.
For Mohsin, farming is no longer a fallback after an unsuccessful search for a job. It has become a business he is building with his own skills, investment and growing experience. The mini power tiller helped him address a practical challenge in the orchard, while training and technical support enabled him to improve the way he manages his land. Today, his expanding fruit and vegetable enterprise provides him with a steady source of income and creates work for others in the community. With the right tools and knowledge, Mohsin has turned a modest start in farming into a growing agricultural enterprise and a viable source of livelihood.
