Gazi Al Imran from Shyamnagar, Satkhira
Agriculture is most affected by climate change induced disasters. The farmers in the coastal region have been adapting to the climate change from a long time by innovating new techniques as well as by using their indigenous knowledge. Their innovation and indigenous knowledge help them to reduce risks and damage due to climate induced disasters. However, in order to help the coastal farmer sustaining their good works as well as produce safe foods during this pandemic Covid-19 BARCIK has taken initiative to create the ‘Shotobari agriculture model’ which is also known as ‘Nutrition Bank’ to counter the crisis of food, nutrition and health marginal rural people in the coastal areas.
While appreciating the initiative taken by BARCIK Shyamnagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Enamul Islam an exclusive interview to BARCIK staff recently said, ‘I think the houses built under the name of Shatabari Krishi Model will contribute to provide nutritional foods of this area by producing safe foods. The initiatives should be continued and farmers should be mobilized so that they could produce foods with free of chemical toxicity. If this initiative is implemented successfully someday it will contribute to the national agricultural economy.’
In his interview, the agriculture official said, ‘I think each Shotobari is like a candle which helps to light another 100 more candles in the area. This means a ‘Shotobari’ will inspire to build 100 more eco-friendly farm houses in the coastal area.’ He went on saying, ‘According to my knowledge, seeing this house, more people in the area have brought their house under eco-friendly agricultural house. This model reminds me of our previous years’ indigenous knowledge based food production system where the farmers exchange everything with their fellow farmers and boosted their relationship. In addition, agricultural houses are being developed as seed banks in the area, which is becoming a path for farmers during the current disaster.
The agriculture official mentioned that both government and non-government organizations are working tirelessly encourage the production and marketing of safe food. The Department of Agriculture has always been working at the field level to mobilize farmers reducing the use of pesticides and chemicals. However, through introducing Shotobari development model BARCIK also is working to promote and ensure safe food production of farmers by adopting organic farming. The Upazila Agriculture Department will always extend cooperation to BARCIK while working this very issue he mentioned. He thanked all the farmers associated with the Shotobari Development Model and BARCIK for such an innovative initiative.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin