Md Mahbub Hasan Tutul,Correspondent Dhaka
Agricultural production in Bangladesh’s char regions has always been challenging.Due to sandy soil, frequent irrigation is required, and farmers often have to rely heavily on chemical fertilizers to boost yields, leading to financial strain.
However, a different scenario is unfolding in Digri Char, Faridpur, where farmers have improved their livelihoods by cultivating a variety of vegetables without using chemical fertilizers.
Currently, Digri Char produces sweet pumpkins, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, cabbage, and other vegetables.
The use of organic fertilizers has increased crop yields, significantly improving farmers’ financial conditions. Previously struggling with poverty, many farmers are now self-sufficient.
The driving force behind this transformation is the local development organization “Amra Kaj Kori” (AKK), financially supported by the “Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation” (PKSF).
With AKK’s assistance, Rahila Begum, a resident of Digri Char, has increased her agricultural production. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, she shared that they previously cultivated maize, paddy, and wheat using chemical fertilizers, which left their land fallow for half the year. However, after receiving training from AKK, they now cultivate vegetables year-round without any chemical inputs.
Earlier, our land remained unused for much of the year. But after training from AKK, we now grow multiple crops on the same land. Using organic fertilizers has also increased the market value of our produce,” Rahila said.
A field visit revealed that on one bigha of land near her house, Rahila cultivates cabbage, carrots, and sweet pumpkins under the project “Safe Vegetable Production and Marketing through Mixed and Intercropping in Char Agro-Ecological Farming.” Coriander is grown along the edges of the field as an additional source of income.
We are now producing more crops, which means greater profit. Compared to before, we are financially much more stable, and there is no longer a shortage in our household,” Rahila added.
To make farmers self-sufficient, AKK trained approximately 722 farmers in Digri Char in 2024.
Among them, 45 farmers have set up organic farming demonstration plots, while 20 farmers received diesel-powered shallow machines. Additionally, one farmer was provided with a solar panel irrigation system. Other farmers receive financial support and technical guidance.
AKK officials reported that last December, Md. Delwar Hossain Khan of Digri Char was provided with two 1,200-watt solar panels and a 1-horsepower submersible pump for small-scale solar irrigation.
The project aims to promote environmentally friendly irrigation, reduce vegetable production costs, ensure year-round safe vegetable cultivation, provide access to clean water for households, and expand the use of solar panels in char areas.
A visit to Delwar Hossain’s farm showed that he cultivates cabbage, cauliflower, radish, pui spinach, sweet potatoes, red amaranth, eggplants, tomatoes, red cabbage, colored cauliflower, carrots, onions, and coriander on three bighas of land. He uses the solar-powered pump for irrigation.Currently, he irrigates his fields daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
This pilot project has saved me significant time and money in both agriculture and household activities. Previously, I had to hire laborers and purchase about 10 liters of fuel per week for irrigation. Now, I don’t need any laborers or fuel. irrigation is completely cost-free, Delwar said.
With the pipeline system, I can control the exact amount of water needed for irrigation. I just have to switch it on. Additionally, the system supplies water for household needs, such as cooking, livestock maintenance, and bathing, saving both time and money, he added.
AKK SF’s Project Coordinator, Md. Fuad Hossain said: “We have provided training to farmers and are assisting them in various ways. They are being supported from production to sales. Additionally, they have been trained to sell their produce online.
AKK’s Executive Director, MA Jalil, said: With PKSF’s support, we initiated a small-scale solar-powered irrigation pilot project in Digri Char Union, which has been successful and has garnered interest from many farmers. We plan to expand this initiative and will propose it to PKSF and other donors. I extend my gratitude to PKSF and IFAD for their support.
PKSF’s Deputy Managing Director, Dr Akand Md. Rafiqul Islam, said: “We have been providing various forms of support to farmers. Our activities will continue in the future.
Md. Shahaduzzaman, Deputy Director of the Faridpur District Agricultural Extension Department, commented: “Solar energy is an ideal renewable energy solution, widely used commercially worldwide. In char areas, fuel costs for transportation and irrigation are high, increasing production costs for farmers. I hope PKSF and AKK will expand this initiative to other char regions.