Science based modern technology is changing how farmers grow crops in Bangladesh

A new kind of farming education is turning green crop fields into classrooms instead of four walled rooms. Marginal farmers of the area, both men and women, join it with books and notebooks in hand and a strong wish to learn. Some learn how to produce safe food with their own hands, while others build fertile nutrition gardens. A unique “Partner Field School” program took place in Baniakandar village of Pagla Kanai Union in Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila to teach modern ways of growing more crops at lower cost.

Organizers launched the effort to combine farmers’ experience with modern science and make farming more eco friendly, nutritious and profitable. Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Mr. Md. Masud Rana and Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer Ms. Shahanara Khatun of Baniakandar Block in Pagla Kanai Union attended the event. Students of the Agricultural Training Institute and interested marginal farmers of all ages also took part throughout the day on Friday.

This field school does more than teach ordinary crop growing. It also teaches better nutrition, safe food, eco friendly farming and ways to create new farm based entrepreneurs. Many people now meet their family’s nutrition needs and also find a new way to earn extra income. Using what they learned in training, many women farmers of the area have built eye catching vegetable gardens on empty land near their homes.

Bithi Khatun, a woman farmer of Baniakandar village, said, “Earlier, we farmed only by our old ideas and our own wishes. After joining this training, we learned many new things about the right care of fertilizer, seeds and crops. Now we farm the right way, and we hope to get a much better harvest at lower cost.”

Farmer Ripon Hossain said, “I learned a lot here about growing vegetables in a nutritious and scientific way. I use that knowledge to grow many kinds of vegetables now, so I can harvest more at low cost.” Student Nishita Biswas said, “Through the Partner Field School, I am learning how to apply the right amount of fertilizer for each crop, control harmful diseases and protect soil health. This cuts unnecessary extra costs for farmers and gives us great hope of producing fully safe crops.”

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mr. Md. Masud Rana said, “We organized the Partner Field School to introduce our marginal farmers, men and women, to modern farming technology, better nutrition and safe food production. Our main goal is to help farmers combine their long experience with modern technology and get the highest harvest at the lowest cost. Fertile soil or improved seed alone cannot give a good harvest. Farmers also need the right knowledge and skills. This open classroom in the field fills that gap and opens a new door of hope for agriculture.”