DHAKA, Nov 23, 2018 (BSS) -There is vibrance in the life of thousands with
the opening of incubator doors at this poultry farm. All around the sound of
chicks resonate with chirps of chicks which are just coming out of their egg
shells.
Thousands of chicks, born in the poultry hatchery of Hosne Ara, a
successful female entrepreneur of Natore, are spreading across the country
every day. In her decade-long colossal task, she has been able to create
numerous women entrepreneurs. Now her aim is to go far away.
Hosne Ara has set up the Jishan Poultry Hatchery in Chowkirpar area on the
north side of Rani Bhabani Palace of Natore which is the biggest of a total
of five poultry hatcheries in Natore.
Over one lakh eggs are placed in the trays of nine compartments in the
heater of hatchery incubator. The eggs are kept there for 18 days in 37.80
degrees Celsius temperature and then the eggs are shifted to the incubator
hatcher tray. After keeping the eggs in hatcher tray in 37.20 degrees Celsius
for three days, thousands of chicks are born there.
There are two “Sonali Chicken” farms with 11,500 capacity to supply eggs to
the hatchery. Besides there are more joint venture poultry farms for
supplying quality of eggs.
The chicks born in the hatchery are supplied within 72 hours through baskets
made of bamboo. Apart from Natore, the poultry farm owners of Rajshahi,
Bogura, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Pabna, Sirajganj, Kushtia and Mymensingh
districts purchase these chicks at Taka 18 to Taka 20 each. Excluding the
cost, the amount of profit is not bad.
The success of Hosne Ara not came overnight. She earned this success
through her hard lanour and merit. She embarked on poultry hatchery business
10 years back. Before it, she set up a poultry farm.
While talking to this reporter, Hosne Ara went back to two decades ago and
said: “I launched my poultry farm with 10 chickens and then increased the
number step by step.”
She said currently her husband and children are working as coworkers. But
at the beginning, their outlook was negative.
Hosne Arar’s husband Hafez Lutfor Rahman said they once demolished the
farm. “But she (Hosne Ara) was not broken down, rather touched the milestone
of her prosperity within two decades due to her rock solid mental strength.
Though there was no hardship in Hosne Ara’s family, they were not so much
solvent. Hosne Ara had to struggle a lot to maintain education expenses of
their four children. She widened the size of her farm and once took the
steering of her entire family.
Of the four children, eldest son Jishan is looking after her mother’s
hatchery completing his study in law. While her second son Imran got a job in
BCS Non-Cadre Service, third son Nayeem completed MBA from Dhaka University
after obtaining honours from Patuakhali Science and Technology University and
eldest son Tanveer is pursuing education in EEE at the OIC-run IUT in
Gazipur.
Hosne Ara not only expanded her business, she also generated permanent and
part time employment for about 30 people. She has created numerous female
entertainment who have brought solvency in their families by establishing
farms.
Sazeda Begum, an entrepreneur of Ghoragachha, said: “Hosne Ara Apa showed a
path of light to us and we’re ever grateful to her.” Hosne Ara has become a
bank loan guarantor of nearly 100 women entrepreneurs at the Natore Branch of
the National Bank. They got poverty alleviation loan from Taka 20,000 to Taka
50,000 at only five percent interest.
Marzina, a loan-recipient, said: “We’ve received the bank loan as (Hosne
Ara) Apa has become a guarantor and we’re trying to become self-reliant
through this credit.”
Natore Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Md Selim Uddin said honesty, hard
labour and perseverance have given successes to Hosne Ara, who is now the
owner of the biggest poultry hatchery in the district.
District Livestock Officer Dr Belal Hossain said as a successful woman
entrepreneur, Hosne Ara’s activities are to be followed by all. After
visiting Hosne Ara’s hatchery, Natore Deputy Commissioner Shahina Khatun said
Hosne Ara is not herself a successful entrepreneur, she is continuing working
to create numerous entrepreneurs.
“Hosne Ara will reach her desired goal with the blessings of all,” the DC
said.
While talking about her target, Hosne Ara said she has to go far away. “I’m
trying to achieve a success in antibiotic-free poultry farming … I’ve an
aim to export poultry meat alongside presenting safe meat to the country and
nation.”