By Mukter Hossain from, Harirampur, Manikganj
Lechharaganj Union of Harirampur lies along the Padma River and faces constant threats from erosion, floods, and climate-related disasters. Sultana Begum (45), lives in Patgramchar village. She has transformed these challenges into resilience.
Drawing on lifelong agricultural experience, Sultana developed her homestead into a nutrient-rich “Shotobari” (model homestead). Her home now produces fruits, vegetables, grains, livestock, milk, eggs, and seeds which enables her to meet family’s nutritional needs while generating income. She practices organic farming, composting, seed conservation, and flood-adaptive cultivation.
Sultana has been involved with BARCIK for the past four years through women’s groups, training sessions, seed fairs, and farmer exchanges. With support from BARCIK, her homestead was recognized as a Shotobari. Being selected as one of BARCIK’s shotobaries she received saplings and technical guidance from the organization. This helps her to build her house as a source of nutritious foods.
Today, villagers regularly visit her house for advice, seeds, and learning. Sultana said, when I started to involve with BARCIK I learn ranges of things associated with agriculture and agroecological practices. I become members of a 20-members women organization and accumulated more experiences.” She went on saying “In the last 3 years I have participated in many meetings arranged by BARCIK and other organizations and learn many things.
Her participation in those meetings and events has strengthened women’s roles in agriculture, decision-making, and engagement with public institutions such as agricultural offices and local government. Sultana now plans to establish a local seed house and share her knowledge so that char communities can become more self-reliant despite recurring natural disasters.
