By Mofijur Rahman from Shyamnagar, Satkhira
Coastal region in Bangladesh has long struggled with natural disasters and soil salinity. In Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, cyclones, tidal surges, floods, and river erosion regularly disrupt livelihoods. Saline soil and water often make conventional farming impossible, pushing many families into financial hardship.
Amid these challenges, Rabeya Sultana from Pakhimara village in Padmapukur union has emerged as a symbol of resilience. With support BARCIK, her houe was recognized as a “Nutrition Bank” in 2019 and in 2025, due to her dedication and innovative work, it was selected as an Agroecology Learning Center (ALC).
Because traditional farming failed on saline land, Rabeya adopted the tower farming method, a vertical structure made of bamboo and netting, filled with fertile soil mixed with organic fertilizer. This raised system protects crops from saline soil and waterlogging while producing more vegetables in limited space.
Using this method, she now grows climbing vegetables in her homestead. Once struggling to support her family, she now meets household vegetable needs and sells surplus in the market, earning regular income.
Her success has brought significant changes helping her to reduce financial stress and continued education for her children. It also ensures her food and nutrition security as fresh vegetables available at home and inspires other women to make economic progress that can accelerate their empowerment.
According to Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Kartik Chandra, tower farming is an innovative and sustainable solution for coastal saline regions, especially empowering women farmers.
By overcoming environmental adversity, Rabeya Sultana has proved that innovation and determination can turn even saline soil into an opportunity for sustainable agriculture.
