Tale of a successful female fish cultivator
Fatema stands as example of strong determination
UNB
Fatema Begum of Amtali upazila in Barguna district stands as an example of where a person with strong determination can reach, reports UNB.
About 27 years ago, she got married to Faruk Hossain who had very little income. However, she had pledged that she would bring prosperity to her family at any cost.
Though her father-in-law had five ponds, he had been reluctant to allow Fatema to cultivate fish there. He himself also failed to succeed in fish cultivation as he had no idea about how to cultivate fish in a scientific way. However, Fatema of Nachnapara village under Amtali union did not get disheartened; rather she vowed to go ahead with her plan and in recognition of her success, she was awarded the Best Fish Cultivator (for carp and mola polyculture) during the National Fisheries Week-2016.
In 2012, international non-profit organisation WorldFish started their activities in Fatemas area under USAID Aquaculture for Income and Nutrition (AIN) Project.
Knowing the matter, Fatema showed her interest and enrolled in the training provided under the project.
With the acquired skills, she became confident about fish cultivation with modern techniques. Sensing her confidence, her father-in-law allowed her to cultivate fish in his ponds. Initially, she was not getting that much profit.
But Fatema did not give in, instead continued her efforts and realised that to get big fishes, she needed to use quality species. In 2013, she cultivated carp and mola fish and earned a profit of Tk 30,000.
Because of her skills, she was selected as a Community Facilitator (CF) under the AIN project in 2014. Fatema received further training and then started to provide training to other fish farmers in her locality.
The following year, she cultivated fish in four ponds and earned a Tk 48,000.
In 2015, Fatema got involved in Private Service Facilitator (PSF) activities and started to sell from her house all the ingredients needed to cultivate both fish and vegetables from which the local farmers were also benefited.
After receiving training from the USAID-AIN project, I expanded my business step by step. Now, Ive learned how to clean my pond properly and there is no gas in my pond anymore. She also added, After becoming a PSF, Im ahead of any problems, says the mother of three.
