Oil mill on the move

It's a mobile oil mill. Now Uttara, now Motijheel. But wherever it goes, it instantly creates a strong customer base because the oil is fresh and pure.

This diesel-run mini mill does not use any complicated equipment or sophisticated technology.

Put some mustard seeds into the opening on its top and, within a few minutes, the popular and pungent dark yellow oil will start dripping down from an outlet at the bottom of the expeller. Collect it in containers or bottles, and it's ready for sell.

The man behind this innovative entrepreneurship is SM Khaled Masud, 45, from Tangail.

He says he knows that a number of branded cooking oils are available on the market, but many consumers are sceptical about their purity. He also knows that if he can ensure quality, consumers will put their trust in his product.

So about six months ago, he came up with this venture -- Gram Banglar Khanti Sarishar Teler Mill (Country-style Pure Mustard Oil Mill).

And for consumers, who are worried about rampant adulteration, “seeing is believing”.

"Adulterated food is everywhere. Now that I've seen the process, I can say that this oil is pure," said Miraj Hossain, a resident of Haji Camp area near the airport where the oil mill was “set up” last month.

Samir Mridha, 60, was carefully watching the process as he was waiting for his turn.

“Most of the mustard oil available in the market has artificial ingredients in it for extra pungency,” he alleged, adding that those oil are also mixed with "palm oil".

Masud sells his oil, packaged in new plastic bottles, for Tk 200 a litre. It's Tk 15 to 20 cheaper than those available on the market.

The residue of the crushed seeds, known as oil cakes, is spewed out through a separate outlet. They are sold at Tk 30 a kg as animal feed.

"City people value pure stuff. That's why I chose this city," he said, adding that his monthly profit stands between Tk 20,000 and 25,000.

Before opening his own business, he worked at an oil mill, owned by his brother, in Tangail, where he learned the skills he needs.

In all, he invested Tk 14 lakh. Of the sum, Tk 3.5 lakh was spent on buying and customising the miniature oil mill and the rest on purchasing a second-hand truck.

His mill can produce about 13 litre of oil from 40 kg mustard seeds, said a satisfied Masud. "To ensure quality, I only use local mustard seeds."

He moves around different parts of the city on different days -- Airport Train Station, Motijheel, Banasree, Rampura and Kamalapur.

After a good response in the capital, Masud is now planning to take his venture to Chittagong and Sylhet.

Shahidul Islam, Masud's assistant, said they would launch two more mobile mills soon.   

Encouraged by Masud's success, another budding entrepreneur, Emdad Hossain, recently set up a similar mill at Khalpar Bazar of Mirhajirbagh near Jatrabari.

He hopes to be as successful as Masud.