Mukter Hossain from Harirampur, Manikganj
Harirampur Upazila is a disaster prone area. The people living in the char (Low lying wetland) face climate induced disasters such as floods, river erosion, heavy rains and less precipitation every year posing risks to their life. The disasters damage crops, wash away homes and even take away life sometimes. The char people thus have to cope with this situation. However, agriculture is the main occupation of the people of this area and it’s their main source of livelihoods. Farmers produce crops keeping pace with the changed nature and environment. BARCIK working in the area for more than a decade has been facilitating the farmers to adapt to the changed situation and developing the capacity of the farmers to cultivate crops which can resistant disasters. Sher Ali is one of the farmers who has been facilitated and encouraged by BARCIK to produce crops in his lands considering the changed in the nature.
She Ali cultivates vegetables year-round on 66 century land. He did not have much formal education but he has the experience, skills and capabilities of the agricultural profession due to his 30 years of involvement in this sector. And using that skill and the acquired practice he has been contributing to boost the food production of the char area and the foods that he produces are safe as well due to he does not use chemicals and pesticides in his lands.
Sher Ali mentioned that he used to cultivate paddy during the Boro season and jute in his 66 decimals of lands. But due to regular floods and lack of natural water bodies in the vicinity, the jute could not wake up. And in term of cultivating Boro rice he has to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well as irrigation which increases his production cost. Therefore, he is not benefited farming Boro rice! Nonetheless, participating in different events and program arranged by BARCIK Sher Ali learnt various thing about sustainable agriculture. He learned the technique to prepare organic manure and was encouraged and motivated to conserve seeds! From that time he made effort to farm crops and vegetable using native varieties of seeds and apply organic manure and bio pesticides in his crops lands. He discovered that the production cost is less and the yields are as expected. He gets profit from his produces and he becomes contented thinking that he is now able to produce crops which are much safer than the crops he produced previously.
Sher Ali said, “If I grow vegetables year-round in the space I have in the homestead, then I can be more profitable.” I am using native varieties of seeds which I conserved as I do not trust market seeds. I will produce seedlings from my seeds and cultivate vegetables using organic manure that I produced. After conserving seeds and preparing organic manure I find that my production cost is lesser that the previous times.’’ He went on saying, “keeping the seeds in my own hands, I can grow vegetables in advance and sell them at a higher market price. The people of the area will be able to take poison-free and safe food.
It is to mention that BARCIK has been facilitating and developing the capacity of the farmers in its working areas to practice environment friendly agriculture. The organization through various events and program creates awareness about the importance of producing safe foods for all. Practicing agroecology ensures safe foods for all and it also keeps the environment healthy and sound.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin
