TV programme inspires expatriate returnee to build successful quail farm and hatchery, earning Tk 300,000 monthly. Photo : BSS

TANGAIL, Aug 17, 2026 (BSS) – When Shamim Al Mamun left the country for Saudi Arabia in search of a better life, he could hardly have imagined that a television programme on quail farming would one day inspire him to become a successful entrepreneur.

Today, the young entrepreneur from Kachua village under Sakhipur upazila of the district earns around Tk 300,000 a month from his quail farm and hatchery.

Shamim went to Saudi Arabia in 2005 and worked at a paint factory. One day, after finishing work, he watched a television report on quail farming. The programme sparked an idea in his mind: why not start a quail farm of his own?

After returning home in 2011, Shamim travelled to Bogura, where he received hands-on training in quail farming from experienced farmers.

In 2012, he started his venture with just 500 quail chicks on 20 decimals of land beside his home. His wife also provided continuous support. Through hard work and proper management, the farm expanded rapidly, reaching 12,000 quails within just three years.

As his success spread, people from different parts of the country began visiting the farm to learn about quail farming. His enterprise is now known as Sonar Bangla Sonali and Quail Hatchery.

The farm currently has around 16,000 breeding quails. Every day, Shamim collects between 10,000 and 12,000 eggs. The eggs are kept in incubators for 17 days before the chicks hatch. The farm supplies nearly 200,000 quail chicks every month to farmers in different districts.

Each chick is sold for Tk 7-8, with a profit of Tk 2-3 per chick. Combined with other income from the farm, Shamim now earns about Tk 300,000 a month.

But his journey has not been without setbacks. His business was doing well until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused major financial losses. Many farmers were forced to shut down their operations. Shamim, however, decided to find a new way forward.

In 2023, he launched a quail hatchery, giving his business fresh momentum. Since then, he has continued to expand the enterprise.

Five workers now assist him with feeding the birds, collecting eggs and other daily tasks. To prevent production disruptions during power outages, Shamim has installed a generator. He is also working to set up his own feed-making facility to reduce production costs.

His success has inspired others to enter the business. Visitors regularly come from different parts of the country to see the farm and seek advice on starting their own operations.

“I came here to learn how to establish a quail farm,” said visitor Ashaul Mia. “Shamim bhai became financially self-reliant with a small investment. I hope to follow his advice and become self-reliant as well.”

Another visitor, Junaid Hossain, said he was impressed by the farm and inspired by Shamim’s success. He is now considering starting a quail farm of his own.

According to the local livestock office, quail farming can be a profitable business with good market potential. Layer quails begin laying eggs within six to seven weeks and can continue for around 18 months, producing an average of 280-300 eggs a year. Broiler quails, meanwhile, can be marketed at around four weeks of age.

Sakhipur Upazila Livestock Officer Saidur Rahman described quail farming as a promising sector. Quail eggs and meat are nutritious and comparatively low in cholesterol, while quails are less prone to disease. He said Shamim is an exemplary entrepreneur in the area and encouraged unemployed youths to consider quail farming as a means of self-employment.