By Suman Ali from Rajshahi

Members of various people’s organizations in Boro Gachhi Union shared information about the challenges their model shotobari are facing due to continuous monsoon rain, particularly regarding vermicompost production and plant health. They also described the adaptive measures they are taking to overcome these problems.

Bilkis Begum from Karigarpara, who received the Divisional Joyeeta Award, said that excessive rainfall has disrupted her vermicompost production. When rainwater enters the compost pits, the worms struggle to reproduce and reduce their intake. To address this, she has covered her pits with netting and tin sheets to keep them dry.

Rubina Bibi of Madhabpur reported that her ginger plants are turning yellow and dying due to waterlogging at the roots. Many of the 45–50 varieties of fruit, forest, and medicinal plants in her model shotobari are losing soil around their roots due to heavy rainfall. To prevent damage, she is reinforcing the base of the plants with bamboo sticks and packing soil tightly with a hoe.

Additionally, Rupali Begum, who received ginger saplings for sack planting, mentioned that her plants are rotting and being exposed due to soggy soil. To solve this, she has moved the sacks under a tin shed for protection from the rain.