UBINIG || Saturday 05 June 2021 ||
Location: Bantiar, Sonatoni, Shahjadpur, Sirajganj
Project: Nayakrishi farmers effort to combat disaster (river erosion, flood, drought and water logging) in the context of climate change and natural calamities.
The work for construction of bamboo binding was initiated on 27 May, 2021 after a series of discussions involving farmers, teachers, UP members and traders on natural calamities and river erosion. Every year the farmers in these char lands, have to face natural calamities and river erosion.
For many years, UBINIG with support from Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has been working with the Nayakrishi farmers in severely river erosion vulnerable area through construction of bamboo binding and helping resisting river erosion and at the same time accretion of new char land offering option for biodiversity-based Nayakrishi crops production. About 200 acres of new char land was raised through construction of bamboo binding in 2019. This year, boali boro rice was cultivated on about 25-30 acres of new char land. The yield of rice was very good because of the fresh rich silt deposit on the land. There was no need of irrigation.
Many farmers had harvested rice good enough for 2-3 months of their requirement. In other part of land the farmers cultivated ground nut, sesame and foxtail millet. On less fertile lands the farmers transplanted Korcha grass for land formation. This year (2021), with support from PWRDF, UBINIG planned with the farmers to start the work for construction of bamboo binding on the remaining side of villages which are unprotected with river erosion. They have selected the spot for construction of bamboo binding through community meetings involving all stakeholders. The rain water and the flow of river water current were taken into account so that the bamboo binding become strong enough to stand erect. In addition, the farmers have clear perception about the amount of siltation. This involved some skilled workers for bamboo binding, while the farmers also gave their hands for construction of bamboo binding. Some of them filled sand on the bags, others were making ropes, while others were fixing the bamboo on the soil. All of them were busy in different activities of bamboo binding.
This year (2021), they are committed to save the only high school, primary school and Bantair market, in addition to establishing a link of the new char land with the old char land. They are expecting the accretion of about 100-150 acres of new char land through construction of this year’s bamboo binding.
This is because the work for construction of bamboo binding has been started from beginning of the rainy season, which is the right time. The silt coming with the early flow of water will be deposited near the chatka. The new char land will join with the earlier raised char land. As a result, agricultural land in the three villages will be increased. The farmers will benefit economically. Their homestead area will become permanent. The market will be saved. The students numbering about 2500 in the primary and high school will have the opportunity to continue their schooling.
Report prepared by Rabiul Islam Chunnu, Coordinator, Tangail 28 May, 2021