Born into poverty in Panpatti village of Galachipa Upazila, Akhinur Begum was forced to leave school after SSC due to financial constraints. After marrying Md. Jalil Akon in 2007, the couple faced further setbacks when Jalil’s small brick-making business collapsed due to lack of authorization, leaving them jobless and burdened with losses of BDT 8–10 lakh. For a time, even two meals a day became uncertain.
A turning point came in 2020 when Akhinur was identified as an ultra-poor household under the PPEPP–EU project and became a member of a Participatory Village Committee (PVC) group supported by WAVE Foundation. Through regular group sessions, she gained confidence and guidance to explore income-generating activities. In 2023, she received a BDT 15,000 project grant and a BDT 20,000 loan, along with continuous technical support from WAVE and the Upazila Agriculture Office, to start safe, high-value vegetable cultivation.
Using modern techniques such as mulching, trellis systems, improved seeds, and organic pest control, Akhinur now cultivates vegetables on 100 decimals of land, earning BDT 25,000–30,000 per month. In addition, the couple successfully produced off-season monsoon watermelon on 12 decimals, generating BDT 65,000 in a single season. “I never imagined that vegetables grown safely and with care could lift us out of poverty and give us dignity,” she said.
“With proper guidance and a little support, we realized that our hard work can truly change our lives,” said Jalil. Today, Jalil no longer works as a day labourer; instead, he works alongside his wife. Their improved income has enabled them to lease more land, purchase two cows, and raise poultry, significantly strengthening household food security and nutrition.
Now respected entrepreneurs in their community, Akhinur and Jalil inspire others to adopt safe farming practices in transforming lives and building sustainable rural livelihoods.
