Some women are making good profit by cultivating fish at Shirishkat canal, which runs to the Chitra River through Neamotpur union under Kaliganj upazila of the district.

Forty-three women at Balakanda village under the upazila formed two cooperatives named Doel and Koel, and started subscribing to the association every week. They took this decision at a meeting in 2012.

The women cleaned the bushes from both sides of the canal and released fishes there. They provide food, take care of the fishes, keep watch and catch fish themselves. In 2013, they made profit beyond their expectation. In 2014, they got around Tk 50,000, while in 2015 they got profit of Tk 100,000. In 2016, they have already  earned Tk 150,000.

The savings of the two cooperatives amount to several lakhs at present.

While visiting the spot, this correspondent talked to Hazera Khatun, president of Doel women's association. She said they have been cultivating fish for four years. Kaliganj upazila women's affairs department and a Japan-based non-governmental organisation helped them in this activity. They are now happy and leading solvent lives, she added.

Aziza Begum, president of Koel, told this correspondent that they cleaned the abandoned canal and started cultivating fish. After finishing all household chores, the women spend time in fish cultivating by turns.

If the government re-excavates the canal we can cultivate fish adequately, she added.

Milon Hossain of Neamotpur village said it is a good initiative by the women in the area. If they continue this they will do better in future.

Sazedul Haque Liton, former chairman of Neamotpur UP, praised their activity. He added that the women are role models in Bangladesh. They can bring about a radical change in their lives. They do not run after VGD card and VGF because they are now self-reliant.

Kaliganj Upazila Women's Affairs Officer Khandakar Shrifa Aktar said she visits the village often and assists them in the cultivation. She added that some fish have been released in the canal with the assistance of the fisheries department. The cooperatives are the owners of the fish.