RANGPUR, Oct 30, 2026 (BSS) – Selina Akhter, a 45-year-old homemaker and agricultural entrepreneur, has set a shining example of achieving self-reliance and economic empowerment through cultivation of toxin-free vegetables.

By cultivating a variety of vegetables in all seasons throughout the year on her one-acre of land using organic fertilizer and vermicompost, she is now earning between Taka 35,000 and Taka 40,000 per month.

Selina, mother of her only son Sabbir Ahmed, 19, of Kandi Kabilapara village in Kandi union under Pirgachha upazila of Rangpur, once struggled to ensure financial stability for her family.

Now, however, this confident woman is cultivating a variety of vegetables on a one-acre plot of land near her homestead, weaving her dreams into reality.

She is now self-reliant. She bears all educational expenses of her son Sabbir Ahmed, a second year BBA (honors) student at Gaibandha Government College.

Talking to BSS on Thursday, Selina said that farming is not merely a means of subsistence, but a firm commitment to becoming self-reliant.

She systematically cultivates various types of vegetables on the land in the village.

Her husband, Md Abdur Rashid, is a farmer. He cultivates their other plots of land to contribute to the family’s income.

Selina’s younger brother, Mizanur Rahman Swapan, also assists her in managing the farm’s operations and in selling the produce.

Balancing household chores with her agricultural work, Selina dedicates regular time to tending her crops.

Because the land is close to her house, she can easily monitor the progress of her crops.

A tour of Selina’s fields reveals a diverse array of vegetables. Bean plants climb along rows of trellises, while cucumbers, gherkins, and bottle gourds hang from their vines. Wherever one looks, there is nothing but lush greenery.

Her produce also includes pumpkins, eggplants, bitter gourds, tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflowers, and various types of leafy greens.

Vegetables are cultivated there, with careful consideration given to the season and market demand.

“I first cater to the local Kandi Hat market’s demand for pesticide-free vegetables and sell the remaining produce to wholesalers in the Pirgachha wholesale market,” she said.

Wholesalers and local middlemen (fariyas) often buy agricultural produce directly from the land.

These high-quality and pesticide-free vegetables are in high demand in the market.

This has created a permanent source of income for Selina. In addition to achieving self-sufficiency, Selina has also created employment opportunities for others.

On average, four to six laborers, both men and women, work in her fields every day in preparing the land, tending to the crops, harvesting and marketing the produce.

Consequently, her agricultural venture has become a source of livelihood for several other families.

Selina explains that the use of organic fertilizer and vermicompost not only reduces production costs but also yields higher-quality, healthier vegetables.

Thanks to the organic fertilizer, she is able to produce vegetables free from chemical pesticides-produce that is in high demand among local residents and in the local markets.

And in this way, Selina has created an extraordinary success story in the cultivation of pesticide-free vegetables, setting an inspiring example of success by integrating modern agricultural practices.

Her hard work and diligent care are now yielding tangible results. She currently sells vegetables worth Taka 60,000 to Taka 70,000 every month.

After deducting expenses, she earns a profit of Taka 35,000 to Taka 40,000 per month. This income comfortably supports her household and covers the educational expenses of her only son.

Pirgachha Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Mst Nilufa Yasmin said that enthusiastic female farmers like Selina Akhter are consistently provided with the necessary guidance and support.

“With timely agricultural advice, access to high-quality seeds, effective pest and disease management and support in marketing, small and medium-scale agricultural entrepreneurs like Selina Akhter could achieve even greater success,” she said.

Furthermore, ensuring fair prices for agricultural produce could further encourage women’s participation in the sector.

Thus, Selina Akhter’s lush green fields represent more than just vegetable production; they are a testament to hard work, self-confidence and the pursuit of self-reliance.

Through her own initiative, she has generated income, created employment for workers, and supplied vegetables to the local market-making her agricultural venture a highly promising one.

Her success has further strengthened the role of women in the rural economy and set an exemplary model for unemployed youth-a model that will help them transform their own fortunes and contribute to building a new and prosperous Bangladesh.