By: Biswajit Mondal from Shyamnagar, Satkhira

Sharma Rani (44), a farmer from Mathurapur village in Munshiganj Union, Shyamnagar, Satkhira, lives with her husband Bimal Mondal and their son. Their livelihood mainly depends on agriculture. Sharma Rani actively engages in farming alongside her husband and son, cultivating a variety of crops year-round in their homestead while adopting different farming techniques.

However, the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh is known for its vulnerability to natural disasters and high soil salinity, making year-round crop production challenging. The primary obstacle is saline water intrusion. In order to overcome these challenges, Sharma Rani has adopted innovative farming practices, one of which is the ‘Kolosh’ (Pitcher) irrigation method, which she has been using since 2017.

While sharing regarding this method, Sharma Rani said, ‘Due to salinity and drought conditions in our region, this technique is highly effective. It reduces soil salinity while allowing crops to grow. It also ensures efficient water use by minimizing wastage and retaining moisture in the soil.”

She further said, ‘It requires minimum labor for irrigation, allowing 4-6 plants to receive water simultaneously, and watering once a week is sufficient. The technique is especially suitable for raised beds and trellises, making it ideal for climbing vegetables such as pumpkins, watermelons, cucumbers, gourds, ridge gourds, and snake gourds.

Describing the setup, Sharma Rani shares that the method is low-cost, requiring only a clay pot and two pieces of jute or cloth rope. The process involves: Making 4-6 small holes at the bottom of the clay pot, inserting jute or cloth ropes through the holes, placing the pot in the center of a raised bed or trellis structure and extending the ropes to the base of the plants so that water can gradually seep into the soil.

This method ensures adequate water supply to plants, maintains soil moisture, reduces water usage, and prevents the upward movement of salinity from the deeper soil layers. In coastal areas where soil salinity, water scarcity, and dry seasons hinder crop production, the ‘Kolosh’ irrigation technique plays a crucial role in ensuring food security.