Bashundhara Shuvosangho gives free winter vegetable seeds to marginal farmers in Kaharol

Marginal farmers in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur have received free high-quality winter vegetable seeds from Bashundhara Shuvosangho, in a move aimed at encouraging homestead and fallow-land cultivation, meeting families' nutritional needs and cutting food costs for farming households.

The programme was organised on Saturday morning by the Kaharol upazila branch of Bashundhara Shuvosangho, in the area adjoining the historic Kantajew Temple in the upazila.

Local farmers received seeds of several winter vegetables, including red spinach, radish, bottle gourd, sweet pumpkin, beans and tomato.

The programme was led by Mahfuz Islam, president of the organisation's Kaharol upazila branch. Among those present were vice-president Sanjay Roy, general secretary Masud Rana, women's affairs secretary Iti Akter, sports secretary Kalyan Roy and executive members Mominul Islam, Moniruzzaman, Shamim Islam, Sumi Akter, Palash Roy, Ripon Roy and A P Rani Roy.

The organisers said many village families have suitable land around their homesteads for vegetable cultivation but cannot grow vegetables for want of good seed.

They said planned cultivation on such land could meet a family's nutritional needs while reducing dependence on the market, and that selling surplus vegetables could even raise household income. That is why the free seeds were handed to marginal farmers, they said.

Local farmers expressed satisfaction after receiving the seeds. Farmer Yasmina Akter said, 'We are ordinary village farmers. Often we cannot buy good seed for lack of money. Bashundhara Shuvosangho has stood beside us by giving seeds free of cost. We will plant the seeds with care and try to get a good harvest.'

Homemaker Sumi Begum said she would now be able to grow vegetables in her homestead. 'If we can produce vegetables for the family ourselves, the cost of buying vegetables from the market will fall a lot. Such an initiative is very useful for ordinary families like ours,' she said.

Homemaker Sultan Begum said feeding the family fresh vegetables grown with her own hands would be a great blessing, and that the initiative had encouraged them.

Farmer Mahfuza Begum said she was very happy to receive the seeds. 'By growing vegetables on unused land around the house, we can meet the family's needs and earn some income by selling the surplus. That will help with household expenses,' she said.

Farmer Musa Islam said farmers play a vital role in the country's food production, and that the initiative would encourage villagers to grow vegetables at home. 'We will use the seeds properly and try to get a good harvest,' he said.

Mahfuz Islam, president of the Kaharol upazila branch, said, 'We are delighted to stand beside hardworking farmers. The main objective of this programme is to encourage them to produce vegetables on their own initiative.'

He said safe vegetable cultivation on homestead and unused land would meet families' nutritional needs and create scope for extra income. 'Especially if village women become more involved in farming, their contribution to the economic life of the family and society will grow. Bashundhara Shuvosangho always works for the welfare of marginal people, and we want to stay beside the people of the Kantajew Temple area in future too,' he said.

The organisers hope the initiative will encourage local farmers to take up winter vegetable cultivation with greater enthusiasm.