By Satyaranjan Saha, Harirampur, Manikganj

Farmer-researcher, friend of farmers, and known as the “Doctor of Crops,” Shahid Biswas of Bahirchar village in Harirampur upazila, Manikganj, passed away on June 11, 2025, due to liver complications and respiratory illness.

Over the past decade, he made significant contributions by cultivating and conserving seeds of nearly extinct crops such as Jain (spices), Gujitil, Tishi, and Kaun. He pioneered mixed cropping cultivating multiple crops in the same field and attempted natural pest control through self-driven research.

Living along the disaster-prone banks of the Padma River, Shahid continued sustainable farming using organic methods. He trained fellow villagers in making vermicompost and organic fertilizers, promoted seed exchange, and advocated for food sovereignty.

He established farmer organizations to ensure farmers’ rights and consistently worked toward safe, chemical-free food production. His initiatives helped introduce mixed crop cultivation in Bahirchar and conserved seeds of onion, garlic, coriander, chili, black cumin, sesame, melons, and leafy greens during the winter season.

Though Shahid Biswas is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. Inspired by his work, many farmers will continue his research, uphold biodiversity, conserve native seeds, and promote safe food production.