Training brings better yields

Small-scale Rangpur farmers are increasing their incomes through better yields, greater     knowledge and improved access to finance, thanks to the Growing Together Programme organised cooperatively between an agro-chemical company and two development organisations.

“I earned Tk.20,000 growing string beans on my fifteen decimal plot last year,” says Salena Begum, 35, from Kafrikhal village in Mithapukul upazila. “But this year I earned Tk. 30,000.”

Salena has benefitted from participating in the two strands of training under the programme, the Good Growth Plan and Good Agricultural Practice, which combined aim to improve the economic understanding of small-scale farmers whilst introducing improved agronomic techniques and technologies to improve crop yields.

“I'm really grateful to have had these training opportunities,” she says. “This year I purchased quality seeds and saved money on agro inputs, achieving a high yield, while also reducing transport and labour costs.”

She is one of several in her village to benefit from the programme, organised by Syngenta agro-chemical firm collaboratively with local development organisation RDRS and the Bangladesh branch of the international development company Voluntary Service Overseas.

“We received training in seed quality, techniques on getting fairer prices for our produce as well as other tips that can help to improve our incomes,” says Sirajul Islam, another farmer- participant from the same village.

As part of the programme a “farming centre” has also been established in the village, which includes a modern bank, growers' market, including for quality seeds at fair prices, and storage facilities; all of which enable small-scale farmers to access more easily the relevant goods and services they need, including fertilisers, pesticides and machinery for rent.

The delegates also visit a growing vegetable market there. Photo: Star

During a recent site visit to Kafrikhal village, also taking part in the programme, the deputy general manager of Bank Asia, Zahrul Alam signed an agreement with country director of Volunteer Service Overseas, Simon Brown, to open a Bank Asia agency in the village to assist local farmers. “With the commencement of agency banking in this remote village farmers will now have direct access to crop finance,” the country director said on that day.

Around 450 farmers, representing nearly all the farmers in the village pledged to open bank accounts while the Bank Asia representative promised that loan disbursal could be completed upon application within twenty-four hours.

“Our company is working with farmers to ensure food security in the country,” says Syngenta official Sazzadur Hossain of the programme that thus far involved 230 farmers groups nationwide, of which 30 percent of participants are women.