Photo: BSS

RAJBARI, June 6, 2026 (BSS) - In a time of economic hardship when many people struggle to find better job opportunities, a young entrepreneur from Rajbari has emerged as an inspiring example of determination and success. 

Starting with only Taka 500 borrowed from his mother, Zahid Hasan, popularly known as Tapu, has built a thriving agricultural enterprise worth crores of Taka.

A resident of Bhimnagar village in Baliakandi upazila, Zahid's journey from poverty to prosperity has become a source of inspiration not only in Rajbari but also in neighboring districts.

Forced to discontinue his formal education due to family financial difficulties, Zahid refused to let circumstances define his future. In 2010, he launched a small business with just Taka 500. Encouraged by the profits, he later borrowed Taka 8,000 from relatives and invested in a broiler chicken farm. His first venture earned him a profit of approximately Taka 33,000 after expenses, sparking his entrepreneurial ambitions.

In 2014, Zahid established a cosmetics and flower shop near the Baliakandi upazila office. Observing the high local demand for flowers and the losses incurred from transporting them from distant districts, he identified an opportunity in flower cultivation.

Without owning any farmland, Zahid leased land in 2018 and, after receiving training in modern agriculture and farm management from the Department of Youth Development, began commercial cultivation of marigold, gladiolus, and roses.

Alongside flower farming, he expanded into livestock rearing. Starting with only two Haryana-breed goats, he gradually developed an integrated livestock farm through scientific management and hard work. His success soon attracted the attention of local unemployed youths seeking inspiration and guidance.

Today, Zahid supplies flowers not only within Rajbari but also to neighboring districts, including Faridpur, Magura, and Kushtia. He currently cultivates high-yielding rice and various winter vegetables on nearly 10 bighas of leased land using modern farming techniques. He is also engaged in mixed fish farming.

Speaking to BSS on Friday, Zahid said, “The early days were full of challenges. Despite a lack of capital and various social obstacles, I never gave up. I believed that honesty and hard work could overcome any adversity.”

Encouraging unemployed youth, he added, “Rather than running after jobs, young people should consider entrepreneurship by utilizing their talents and labor. In doing so, they can create employment opportunities not only for themselves but also for many others.”

Zahid also said that greater government support and proper guidance could help him achieve even more.

Local Upazila Agriculture Officer Ratan Kumar Ghosh praised Zahid's remarkable achievements, describing him as “the pride of Rajbari's youth.” He expressed hope that Zahid would continue contributing to the development of the rural economy.

“With adequate government support, thousands of young entrepreneurs like Zahid can emerge from villages across the country and play a significant role in making Bangladesh's rural economy more prosperous and dynamic,” he said.