I was an EEE engineer. I’ve worked in Toshiba Bangladesh for ten years. The job was monotonous and I started feeling tired of it. The desire to create something of my own has always been there. In 2020, I finally confronted my dream and started an advertising firm.  These types of firms require big investments which I lacked. So, my business had a shaky foundation. Making it successful was an extremely tough job. I would have been able to make it work, if it were not for the pandemic.

The pandemic shattered all possibilities for my firm. Wrapping up my business, I left Dhaka, bag and baggage. I returned to my home district in Rangpur. Here, I planned to make use of the unused ponds of my family. To tell the truth, this was my backup plan from the very beginning. I wanted to try other things out and if things went south, I had planned to return here and start a fish farm.

Before my birth, my father used to do fish farming in Rangpur. However, he never took it to the commercial level as I did. I started my business, Abdullah Matsya and Poultry Farm, in May, 2020.  I sell Rui, Mrigal, Catla, Bata, etc fish in my farm. With an investment of 4-5 lacs, my journey in this sector started. 

Since I never directly worked in fish farming before, I did not have extensive knowledge on this matter. It was a new path for me. Then I got introduced to World Fish and I joined their training program. It boosted my confidence and helped me immensely. Through them, I also participated in a training session arranged by LightCastle Partners. It was an insightful experience and I learned about business management tools. It has been only a year since I started my operations but I believe there are many more years to come. 

COVID-19 had a direct impact on my business initiation phase. Last year in May, I had only started setting up my business. Firstly, I invested in fish culturing, which required fish food and hormones. Due to the lockdown, the price of fish food and growth hormones skyrocketed. The food that I can buy at tk 1200, back then I purchased those at tk 2000. I started selling fish very recently and so far I believe this is very profitable. Regardless, there are a few obstacles. 

The local fish producers who breed fish in their hatcheries can sell their fish at a very low price. Since they are producing everything in their farms, the production cost is also low for them. Thus, they are capturing a big portion of our target market. In order to tackle this problem, I also need to invest in establishing hatcheries. 

Undoubtedly, I want to continue this business and expand it slowly. I have plans to dig more ponds to extend my capacity. As my business grows, I wish to work in every sector of aquaculture. I dream for a day when my business will be able to provide employment opportunities. I, however, don’t want to rush it and make mistakes. Taking things slow and steady, I am determined I will make my venture successful.