Hundreds of farmers in two union of Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah had dug mini ponds at the corner of rice plots and proving supplementary irrigation to their respective Aman paddy plots. They have been producing various types of vegetables on the ridges of the ponds and producing fish in the pond water which has been ensuring better profit for the farmers round the year. Reducing ground water use for the croplands and strengthen the socio-economic state of the farmers were the main objectives of the programme, said the farmers.
Abide 300 trained farmers of 20 villages of Sundarpur-Durgapur and Niamatpur unions, another 54 were involved in the water use efficient agriculture practice where a total of 1,330 family members started benefiting from the programme directly.
Abide the farmers, officials of the department of agriculture extension (DAE) and local upazila administration had expressed that this sort of farmers-friendly programmes might be thrown for the interest of the people which could play role in environment protection.
When this correspondent visited a number of villages in Sundarpur-Durgapur and Niamatpur unions, talked to the farmers. They said they have dug a mini pond at a corner of the pond. The pond water is used for irrigation on the respective paddy plots and they have producing fish in the water round the year. Further, they have been producing various types of seasonal vegetables on the ridge of the ponds.
They said they have been giving emphasis on Alternate Wetting and drying (AWD) methods for Boro rice and cultivate Rabi crops as the Boro farming demands huge irrigation water costs higher.
In the other hand Rabi farming requires least irrigation water and cost effective. As a result the farmers can benefit better from the Rabi crops.
Farmers Sahar Ali and Kamalesh Sharma of Kurulia village when contacted at their agriculture plots, said receiving training on water saving crop production, fertilizer and pest management and environment-friendly farming from a local non-government
organization Sonar Bangla Foundation, they gained knowledge for better benefits.