By Khadija Akter Lita from Netrakona

With the facilitating support from, the residents of Hasampur village under Lakshmiganj Union in Netrakona Sadar Upazila organized a village discussion meeting titled “We Practice Agroecology” at the home of farmer Md. Sadek Mia recently.

The event featured Hosna Akter, the coordinator of the Agroecology Learning Center, as the main speaker. Other participants included farmer Sadek Mia, journalist Mirza Hridoy Sagar, BARCIK’s regional coordinator Md. Ohidur Rahman, along with local farmers both men and women, youth, adolescent girls, and sharecroppers.

During the discussion, BARCIK’s regional coordinator Md. Ohidur Rahman spoke about various important aspects such as agroecology, practicing family-based farming, protecting the rights of marginal farmers, native seed conservation, promoting organic agriculture, reducing dependence on groundwater, enhancing crop diversity, encouraging interdependence and biodiversity, harvesting rainwater, raising farmers’ awareness, and improving soil health.

Farmer Md. Sadek Mia opened the discussion with a welcome speech saying, “We all grow crops in our homesteads and backyards without using chemical fertilizers. The food we produce is safe for our families. However, we don’t get fair prices for our produce when we sell, prices are low; when we buy, prices are high.” Farmer Hosna Akter said, “We have reduced the use of chemical fertilizers. I produce my own compost and use it in my field. To survive, we must reduce the use of pesticides. We must save our seeds, protect frogs and earthworms; only then will our soil remain healthy.”

The farmers mentioned the meeting that practicing agroecology helps protect and regenerate the soil, preserves beneficial microorganisms, and restores the ecosystem while ensuring environmental sustainability.

At the end of the session, participants visited the Shotobari model farm and the Agroecology Learning Center.