By Sultana Khatun from Rajshahi
A meeting to create a seasonal vegetable calendar was held recently at the Bil Nepal Para Agroecology Learning Center in Darshanpara Union, Paba Upazila. BARCIKI’s Program Officer Touhidul Islam and Community Facilitator Sultana Khatun attended the session along with local community members.
In the meeting the participants said that homestead vegetable cultivation has increased significantly, mostly managed by rural women. However, many still struggle to identify the right time to plant different vegetables.
Minara Begum, a women’s group member, said, “We often don’t know the correct season for planting. A yearly calendar will help us avoid mistakes and improve yields.”
Farmer Nasir Uddin aid, “Training on seasonal cultivation will help women become more skilled and confident.”
Participants also discussed the importance of adapting farming practices to climate change. They agreed that keeping a seasonal cultivation chart in learning centers and Shotobari households will support shared learning and better planning.
The meeting concluded with a plan to finalize the vegetable calendar and distribute it among community members in the coming months.
It is to mention that BARCIK has been working in Bil Nepal Para and facilitated the communities since 2016. These times BARCIK helped to form community groups, including a women’s group, youth forum, and farmers’ club. In 2024, with community support, the Agroecology Learning Center was established to strengthen sustainable farming practices and local knowledge.