By Sultana Khatun from Poba, Rajshahi
Md. Anwar Hossain (30), a young farmer from Darshan Para village of Darshan Para Union in Poba upazila, Rajshahi, has emerged as an inspiring example of youth engagement in sustainable agriculture.
After completing his education, Anwar began farming alongside seeking employment. He comes from a family of ten members, owns 10 decimals of homestead land, and cultivates six bighas of farmland. His father, Md. Sazzad Hossain (50), an exemplary farmer, encouraged all his children to stay connected with agriculture alongside their studies.
Anwar’s household practices integrated farming, rearing ducks, chickens, cows, goats, and pigeons. His homestead features around 20 varieties of indigenous fruit trees, and he currently cultivates vegetables using organic methods. During winter, his courtyard is filled with seasonal vegetables, meeting family nutrition needs, supporting exchanges with neighbors, and generating additional income through market sales.
BARCIK began engaging with Anwar in 2024. Inspired by BARCIK’s work on organic farming, agroecology, climate justice, vermicomposting, and advocacy initiatives, Anwar participated in several training programs with the organization and expressed his commitment to working with BARCIK.
With his own initiative and BARCIK’s support, Anwar plans to form a youth group in his village to engage young people in agriculture alongside their studies. The initiative aims to promote safe organic vegetable cultivation on fallow land near homesteads through training and collective action.
Anwar has already started producing vermicompost using two compost pits and plans to expand the initiative further. He believes that success lies in building skills among other young people in his village. Local residents hope that his efforts will inspire more youth to adopt organic farming, contributing to food safety, environmental protection, and long-term rural prosperity.
