Bangladesh youth turns grandmothers single sheep gift into flourishing livestock enterprise

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

A 21-year-old entrepreneur in Jaypurhat’s Panchbibi upazila has turned a single sheep gifted to him in grade four into a thriving enterprise of nearly 100 animals, offering a blueprint for success to the region’s youth. Ashik Chowdhury, a resident of Harendra Chowdhurypara village, now manages a flock of 98 sheep after more than a decade of dedicated husbandry.

The venture began as a childhood project when his grandmother gifted him his first sheep. With the support of his mother, Rehena Khatun, who assisted in the early stages of care, the small gift grew steadily through persistent maintenance and disease management. As reported by *Prothom Alo*, the operation reached a significant milestone ahead of this year’s Eid-ul-Adha, with the sale of 26 sheep generating 230,000 taka in revenue.

Chowdhury’s path to entrepreneurship has been balanced with academic commitments. A science graduate, he completed his SSC in 2022 and finished his HSC in 2024 at Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Dhaka. While he is currently dedicating his full attention to the expansion of his farm, he retains the ambition to continue his formal education when circumstances permit.

Looking toward the future, Chowdhury intends to scale his current operations and diversify his holdings by establishing a cattle farm. His mother notes that his success is the direct result of a lifelong affinity for animals, which he has cared for with a level of attention typically reserved for family.

Police arrest over 141,000 suspects in 88-day nationwide security crackdown

Read More

Local observers and officials have lauded his efforts as a model of self-reliance and strategic planning. Rezaul Karim, a local resident, noted that Chowdhury’s transformation of a singular asset into a significant business serves as an inspiration for the younger generation to pursue entrepreneurship.

The local livestock department has also acknowledged the project’s viability. According to Panchbibi Upazila Livestock Officer Md. Hasan Ali, the department provides consistent technical support to Chowdhury, citing his progress as a testament to the success possible through disciplined, small-scale animal husbandry.