I saw a cup ice-cream that sold for Tk 20. Then I hit upon an idea that I would make yogurt at home in the same cup and it would be sold for Tk 20.

— Niamul Islam An entrepreneur

Md Niamul Islam did not like to eat the yogurt or curd sold at sweetmeat shops. So, he tried to make it himself at home using  his own cow's milk. Little did he know that this effort would one day make him an entrepreneur.

Other than achieving success in his own right, Naimul employs seven youths in his village at his yogurt factory, centring which several dairy farms have been established in the area.

Naimul, who hails from Shirirampur village under Madapur union of Rajbari Sadar upazila, was admitted to Islamic University in 2006. But due to poverty, he had to leave his studies after one year.

Now though, Niamul earns Tk 50,000 per month from his yogurt factory called "Halal Sor Doi."

"After returning from the university I started fish cultivation in our small pond and reared a cow. In 2010 I joined a local Madrasah as teacher but Ieft the job as they demanded Tk 2 lakh for my post as MPO in 2014," he said.

After that, he started rearing two cows and could collect 5-6 liters of milk from each but there was a problem in selling the milk as there were not enough customers in the area.

So, Naimul decided to use the milk to make sweets and yogurt.

"I saw a cup ice-cream that sold at Tk 20. Then I hit upon a plan that I would make yogurt at home in the same cup and it would be sold Tk 20 in 2018," he said.

"I spoke with a shopkeeper about it, he inspired me to do that and gave me word he would sell my yogurt at his shop," Naimul added.

He supplied some yogurt the next day and got good feedback from customers.

After that he gradually increased the quantity from 3.5 liter and within one year the quantity raised at 50 liters of yogurt.

At first he would collected milk from different houses of his village but it was not enough for him as the demand of his yogurt had already increased.

"I had to appoint someone to help me make yogurt and market it. All the people of our area who rearing cows gave their milk and I gave them the market price. That why, they stated rearing more cows at their house," he said.

Now Niamul needs 620-650 liters milk every day to full fill the demand of his yogurt at different markets, including those in Dhaka, Faridpur, Kushtia and Rajbari.

Sumon Islam, a resident of Rajdhorpur village under Baliakandi upazila in Rajbari, said he started his dairy farm with two Australian cows in 2016.

"And I gradually increased the number of the cows in my farm but there was a problem in selling milk at local markets as I collected 50 kgs or more every day," he said.

"Now though, I have 35 cows in my farm, of which 10 give 120 liters of milk daily. I do not face any problem as I give all the milk at Niamul yogurt.," he added.

Md Nazir Hossain, another dairy farmer of Surjadia village under Madapur union of Rajbari sadar upazila, said he initially started hiscattle farm with two cows.

"Now I have seven cows that give 35-40 litter milk every day. I will collect more 25 liters milk from another two cows from next month. Due to Niamul yogurt factory we can easily sell all milk at his farm," he said.

Another dairy farmer of Rajdhorpur village, Saharul Mollha, said he once worried about being able to sell his milk as there were not enough customers in the area.

"We previously had to go different sweet shops at Rajbari town to sell milk. Due to Naimul, we can sell milk from home. So people of our area who are involved in farming are rearing two-five cows and sell milk," he added.

Abdul Kudus, a resident of Gobindapur village said, Naimul's yogurt factory opened a new business for him.

"I visit different villages near my house and buy milk at Tk 45-48 per liter and I sell it to Niamul at Tk 50 per liter. This way I earn Tk 500-800 per day," he said.

To prepare 320-350 kgs of yogurt at Niamul'factctory, which situated at his house, he needs seven or more people.

So he has appointed seven youths of his area. For seven workers, Niamul has to pay Tk 2,300-2,500 daily.

Md Sohan Mollah, a worker of Niamul's factory and also a student of Kalukhali Government Degree College, said it was very tough from him to maintain his family of four with his previous income.

"That is why I joined this factory. Besides my studies, I earn Tk 10,000 per month," he added.

Md. Sidikul Islam, another worker of the factory, said he did not continue my study for poverty.

"I had to work as day labour but I did not get work every day. Then I joined here one year ago and now work round the year and get Tk 12,000 per month," he added.

Samsul Islam, a shopkeeper in Kushtia town, said he has been selling Niamul's yogurt for one year.

"There is a good demand of his cup yogurt among the customers' as they can buy it easily," he added.

"Niamul has become self-reliant and set examples for many others. For him, new dairy farms have been built in the area," said Fazlul Haque Sardar, Rajbari district livestock officer.

Following his example, many other youths of the area have started yogurt factory, Sardar said. "We need more people like Niamul to remove unemployment problem from our country."