Nur Khatun grows more rice with SRI

Proud Nur Khatun in her rice field

Nur Khatun and her husband Enamul Haque knew that it would be a risk to adopt a new rice cultivation method which is not used by anyone they knew. It could well have been that they would not harvest any rice. Nur Khatun, is a field crop and vegetable beneficiary of the Cross-border project in the village of Poravita in Parramrampur Union, Dewangang, Jamalpur.

Nur Khatun was introduced to and trained in SRI^[1] practices by Md. Shahjahan Ali, technical Local Service Provider (LSP) for field crop and vegetables. He also trained her and her farmer group members in the preparation of organic fertilizer and the use of pest control. In addition, the Cross-border project supported her with 2kg of quality seed and BDT1100[2] as working capital to buy some inputs. She and her husband had faith in the knowledge of Shahjahan Ali and decided to implement this new method in their field. During cultivation they received regular on the spot advice from LSP Shajahan Ali. To the surprise of many neighbouring farmers, this winter season (2012-2013) the couple harvested 800 kg of rice from their 0.25 acres of family land. This was 180kg of rice more than last season and an increase of almost 30%.

As in any village in Bangladesh, rice is the main staple food and source of energy for the people of Poravita village. The past years, rice harvests have been low due to difficult weather conditions and low quality inputs available at the local market.  “Harvesting a good amount of rice depends on many conditions such as a good seed variety, quality seeds, fertilizer, pesticide, suitable weather and technical knowledge. The uniqueness of SRI is that the cost of cultivation are less but the harvest is more within a shorter time compared to the traditional method used in our area. After observing the successful cultivation and harvest by farmers like Nur Khatun and her husband, many farmers in Poravita village are now interested in SRI.” explained LSP Shahjahan Ali.

Like any other mother Nur Khatun would like to ensure proper food, education and health care for her five children: “Happiness of my children is the only thing I dream off. I feel good when I see them going to school after a full meal. With the skills and knowledge I have attained on rice and vegetable cultivation, I believe that I can better ensure two meals a day for my family.”

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[1] System of Rice Intensification

[2] 1USD = BDT 80