Eco-friendly farming methods evolving as viable alternatives

MANIKGANJ, May 09: As the agriculture sector has also started taking a hit from the ongoing instability in the Middle East along with other sectors including energy, a surge in international prices of chemical fertiliser raw materials has pushed up production costs for farmers in Bangladesh.

In a prompt response to the crisis, more than 2,500 farmers in Singair upazila of Manikganj are gradually turning to eco-friendly farming practices as an alternative to chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Bangladesh requires nearly 6.8 million tonnes of chemical fertilisers annually, around 80 percent of which are imported.

As a result, fluctuations in global prices and supply disruptions directly affect the country's agriculture sector, with marginal farmers suffering the most.

Farmer Munnaf Hossain from Kanaigor village in Singair has been cultivating vegetables commercially for nearly a decade.

Every year, he grows papaya, bitter gourd, okra, cucumber, eggplant, and bottle gourd on five to six bighas of land. While he once relied entirely on chemical fertilisers and pesticides, a large portion of his farmland is now cultivated using organic fertilisers and natural pest control methods.

"Previously, I had to spend between Tk 20,000 and Tk 25,000 per bigha only on fertilisers," said Munnaf Hossain. "After receiving training, I learned how to reduce the use of chemicals in farming. Now I produce vermicompost and tricho-compost using manure from my 13 cattle. This has significantly reduced my dependence on chemical fertilisers and improved soil health."

Munnaf is not alone. A total of 2,520 farmers from four unions in Singair upazila are gradually moving away from chemical-based farming. Under the "Green Evolution" project implemented by WAVE Foundation, farmers are receiving training and technical support on eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Inspired by Munnaf, neighboring farmers Gias Uddin and Lutfur Rahman have also started producing organic fertilisers. Gias Uddin said the fertiliser crisis has become severe in recent times.

"Fertilisers are not always available on time, and prices have gone up sharply," he said. "Earlier, I used to spend around Tk 15,000 on fertiliser for one bigha of land. Now, with organic fertiliser, I can manage within Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,000. Production costs have decreased, and the demand for vegetables grown in my field has also increased."

Farmer Pintu Mahmud from Goalbathan village in Joymontop union said rising fertiliser prices have become a major burden for farmers.

"A sack of fertiliser that used to cost Tk 1,350 now costs around Tk 1,700," he said. "We are forced to buy it because crop yields decline without fertiliser. However, due to the ongoing shortage, I have started using organic fertiliser. I recently cultivated cucumber and eggplant on one bigha of land using only organic fertiliser."

Md. Ishtiaq Islam, agroecology specialist of the Green Evolution Project, said the initiative has trained 2,520 farmers in four unions of Singair on safe vegetable cultivation and cost-effective farming methods.

"Our goal is to ensure safe food production while reducing the use of harmful chemicals," he said, adding, "We are also providing farmers with continuous technical assistance".

Medical experts warn that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides poses serious health risks.

Dr. Manabendra Sarkar Manab, junior consultant (Medicine) at Manikganj 250-Bed General Hospital, said prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals can increase the risk of cancer, liver disease, neurological disorders, and respiratory complications.

"Farmers and field-level workers who regularly handle these chemicals are the most vulnerable," he added.

According to Shahjahan Siraj, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Manikganj, many farmers apply excessive amounts of fertilisers and pesticides without proper guidance from agricultural officials.

"This damages soil health and increases production costs," he said. "Manikganj has an annual demand for around 88,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser, whereas only 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of organic fertiliser are produced locally. Increased production of organic fertilisers could significantly reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers."

He further said the department is encouraging farmers to use vermicompost and tricho-compost in order to lower production costs and ensure safe vegetable production.

"As part of our regular activities, we are providing farmers with advice and support to expand the use of organic fertilisers," he added.

At a time when Bangladesh's agriculture sector is facing mounting challenges from fertiliser shortages, rising production costs, and climate change, the initiatives taken by farmers in Singair are presenting a promising alternative.

Experts believe that with proper training and institutional support, eco-friendly farming could become one of the key foundations of sustainable agriculture in the future.

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