Several villages in relatively low-lying areas of Tungipara Upazila of Gopalganj, including Mitradanga, remain waterlogged for a long period of the year because of the presence of 229 beels and reservoirs. For this reason, local farmers have been cultivating safe vegetables on floating beds by following indigenous methods known for centuries. However, since the beds are large, they get damaged by strong winds and currents, causing economic losses to the farmers.
The Agricultural Research Institute has come forward with new methods, easing the difficulties involved in floating bed cultivation, and thus benefiting around 1,800 farmers in five upazilas of the district throughout the year.
Deputy Director of Gopalganj Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Arvind Kumar Roy said: "Vegetables have been produced in the floating beds of water hyacinths in the district for hundreds of years. The local farmers have adopted this method. However, their beds were large in size and were damaged by strong currents and winds. They were in great trouble on the issue. At that time, they used to grow leafy vegetables and radishes in the beds.”
But five years ago, the ARI took up a project to expand and popularize vegetable and spice farming research by applying modern technology instead of the traditional floating bed method. Later, researchers began working at the field level by including local farmers in the implementation process.
"In the beginning, the researchers made a small bed and started cultivating leaves, vines, fruits and spices in it. This is how success came,” said Arvind Kumar Roy.
Project Director Dr Mostafizur Rahman Talukder said: "The population is increasing in the country and agricultural land is decreasing. There is also a fear of disruption of agricultural production due to climate change. To face these challenges, the government took up this project to increase agricultural production through optimum utilization of land even during the monsoon. For the past five years, we have been working on modern technologies related to floating agriculture. There have also been some successes."
Recently, Rabindra Sri Barua, additional secretary of the extension section of the Ministry of Agriculture, visited the modern floating beds at Mitradanga village. He exchanged experiences with local farmers, researchers and agricultural extension officers.
The official told Dhaka Tribune that the nutrition of common people could be ensured by increasing food production through replicating this modern technology of floating agriculture in other parts of the country with vast water bodies.
According to ARI senior scientific officers in Gopalganj, Dr Mohsin Howladar and HM Khairul Basar, most of the land in the district is under water for eight months of the year. Earlier, only Boro paddy was produced on this land. For this reason, farmers used to build floating beds with water hyacinths and produce leafy vegetables. In this way, they could barely meet family expenses.
Using modern technology in floating beds, the local farmers can now commercially grow various crops, including watermelons, onions, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cucumbers, gourds, pumpkins, tomatoes, cauliflowers, cabbages, broccoli, red leafy greens, spinach, etc. After ensuring supplies for the family, they are earning money by selling the extra crop in the market, they told Dhaka Tribune.
Shaktipada Kirttanya, 65, a farmer of Mitradanga village, said: “We are 15-20 farmers who cultivate by using modern technology in floating beds throughout the year. We see many people tending to farming on floating beds in the area. This method of cultivation produces safe crops free of toxins. So there is a huge demand for our crops in the market.''
Krishani Champa Kirttanya, 50, of the same village said: “Earlier, I used to cultivate floating beds using the method shown by my grandfather. The crops were not so good there. But crop production has improved after the adoption of modern technology.”
Additional Secretary Rabindra Sri Barua said in this method of cultivation, modern equipment is used to make beds with water hyacinths in different countries of the world.
“I have visited the floating bed cultivation in Gopalganj and exchanged views with farmers. I will suggest incorporating modern technology in floating beds during my discussions with policymakers. I think this method of farming will play a vital role in ensuring food security and nutrition,” said the official.