Success Story: Doly Khatun – From Two Cows to a Sustainable Dairy Farm
Doly Khatun is a homemaker from Sarishadanga village of Chuadanga Sadar Upazila. In 2015, with a dream of increasing her family income, she started her journey by raising just two dairy cows.
Through her hard work and dedication, her farm gradually expanded. Today, she has 10 improved-breed dairy cows, turning her small dream into a successful dairy farm.
As the farm grew, so did the challenges. Chuadanga experiences high temperatures, making it difficult to keep the cows healthy and comfortable while also managing the increasing costs of water and electricity. In October 2025, Doly Khatun became involved with the SMART Project of Atmabiswas and received training on Knowledge on Climate Vulnerability and Climate-resilient RECP.
To address the heat and reduce water wastage, Doly introduced a Fogger System in her cowshed. This simple but effective initiative helps keep the cowshed cooler and has reduced her monthly water consumption by approximately 1,200 liters.
She also installed a solar power system with battery backup to reduce electricity costs. The system consists of six solar panels, each with a capacity of 620 watts, totaling 3,720 Wp, along with a 100 Ah, 24V battery backup. The solar system now powers her motor, lights, fans, grass chopper, fogger, television, and refrigerator.
The results have been remarkable. Previously, her monthly electricity bill was approximately BDT 3,000–3,500. After installing the solar system, her monthly electricity cost has fallen to below BDT 500.
Today, Doly Khatun is a confident and successful farmer who demonstrates how small, practical changes can create significant results. By adopting environmentally friendly technologies, she has reduced water and electricity consumption while improving the sustainability of her farm and contributing to greater family income stability.
Doly says, “I am very happy now.” Her happiness reflects the success of her small dairy farm in Sarishadanga and shows how climate-resilient practices can help rural farmers build more sustainable livelihoods.