By Subir Kumar Sorkar from Ghior, Manikganj
With the aim to maintain ecological balance, farmers in several villages of Manikganj are protecting their crops not by killing rats but by using Bainna fruits, a traditional and eco-friendly method.
Farmers of Kunduria, Helachia, Manta, Joynagar, and Begmanagar cultivate deep-water Aman paddy. During monsoon, when rats lose their natural shelter, they invade the fields. But in Kunduria and Joynagar, farmers have been using Bainna fruits for generations to ward off the pests.
Farmer Md. Ainal Mallick said in this regard, “Every creature has the right to live. The smell of Bainna fruit drives rats away and saves the crops. This is an ancient and environment-friendly practice.”
Another farmer, Robi Chandra Biswas, stated, “During the monsoon, Bainna fruits are found in plenty. We do not need to buy them. Just scatter them in the fields, and rats disappear, it does not require pesticides.”
Elderly farmer Subol Chandra Sarkar recalled his past times saying, “Our forefathers used Bainna fruits in paddy fields during monsoon. The smell kept rats away and saved the crops.”
BARCIK official Subir Kumar Sarkar said, “About 30–35 years ago, this method was widely practiced. It causes no harm to the environment and helps to protect crops, nature, and biodiversity.”
