Shangkor Mrong from Netrokona
A coordination meeting was held at the BARCIK Netrokona Resource Center recently where researchers of family farming participated and shared their successes and limitations. Besides, a total of 17 farmers from 11 Agroecology Learning Centers (ALCs) and 7 Shatobari model households across five upazilas of Netrokona attended the meeting.
The discussion focused on the objectives and activities of the Agroecology Learning Centers. These centers promote eco-friendly farming practices, ensuring the conservation of local biodiversity, chemical-free agriculture, the cultivation of native crop varieties, and agricultural research. Participants shared their experiences and discussed various challenges and opportunities in sustainable farming.
oplus_1024While describing his works Md. Abdul Motalib, the supervisor of the Veluyatali Agroecology Learning Center, stated that he is continuously working to improve the center and conducting agricultural training and research activities with the support of various organizations. He said, ‘ I feel happy and honored when government NGOs representatives and other farmers visited my houses. They provide me advices as well as learn from my works. Their advices help me to improve my works.’
Nahajong Hajong, a farmer from a border-belt area, highlighted the challenges he and other farmers face in implementing the Shatobari model due to severe drought and crisis of drinking water. He emphasized on the need for water conservation for irrigation. He said, ‘If initiative is taken to protect the water-bodies and conserve the sweet water sources it will allow us to get necessary water for irrigating our crops.’
oplus_1024The participants expressed their commitment to improving their respective Agroecology Learning Centers and pledged to work together to promote sustainable farming practices.