Khadiza Begum, inspired by one of her neighbours’ successes, started ginger cultivation and expanded it into a 1,500-bag homestead enterprise. With her determination and support from the PPEPP-EU project, Khadiza’s family is now on a path toward financial stability and prosperity. However, her story was different before joining the project.
Khadiza from Gaibandha’s Kanchipara Union would face daily challenges to support her five-member family, including her day labourer husband, Md Gaziul Islam, a daughter and two sons- the youngest is disabled since birth. PPEPP-EU helped the family obtain a Suborno Nagorik card (a government-issued identification card for persons with disabilities) and disability allowance, easing some of their burden—but Khadiza knew she needed a longer-term solution.
Khadiza was motivated by Anjura Begum’s success in ginger cultivation, a fellow PVC member, who cultivated ginger in 260 bags along the local embankment. With support from SKS Foundation, Khadiza and her husband now cultivate 1,500 bags of ginger around their homestead—an ambitious leap far exceeding their previous experience. “We took it as a challenge and worked tirelessly,” Khadiza shared, “because we wanted a better life for our children.”
Khadiza and Gaziul invested nearly BDT 50,000 into the venture, covering soil, seeds, bags, and other inputs. With 1,500 bags arranged around their homestead, the couple estimates they will harvest roughly 1,500 kilograms of ginger once the crop matures and sell it for an impressive BDT 187,500.
For a household that has long struggled to balance disability-related needs, education costs, and daily living expenses, this potential income offers a meaningful shift in their economic outlook. “For the first time in years, we feel hopeful,” Khadiza said.
As the ginger plants continued to grow, they used intercropping techniques by planting papaya and banana seedlings as ‘Shathi’ crops. Besides, their homestead orchard features a variety of fruit trees, including Malta (a citrus fruit), pomelo and guava. PPEPP-EU’s technical staff provided the couple with technical guidance and other necessary support required for ginger cultivation and building the orchard.
Khadiza’s story shows how community inspiration, confidence-building, and women’s brave decision-making can truly transform a family’s future. Today, with their flourishing income, their children are also hopeful, and their inspiring journey continues.