The concluding coordination meeting of the project titled “People’s Led Biodiversity Conservation in haor area in Netrakona“, implemented by the BARCIK and funded by Share the Planet Association, was held at the BARCIK Rameshwarpur Resource Center recently.

BARCIK Staff and members of people’s organizations working on the project in Madan and Kalmakanda upazilas participated in the meeting including the president of the Netrokona District People’s Organization Coordination Committee, and members of the Green Coalition.

At the beginning, members of the people’s organizations from Madan and Kalmakanda upazilas presented their successes over the past three years, including organizational activities, village discussions, seed bank data, the current status of nurseries, family-based research, rice variety research, crop research suitable for haor and hilly areas, and collaborations with government and non-government organizations.

Farmer Parimal Rema said, “We are now able to cultivate Hakim rice, Malshira rice, peanuts, and corn in sandy soil at the sandy lands. By conserving seeds in the seed bank, we are benefiting agriculture and farmers. These seeds are now our companions in times of crisis. Even if BARCIK is no longer here, we will continue to maintain the seed bank.”

Farmer Arob Ali said, “Through the haor nursery, I have gained significant profits over the past three years. Now, I will keep this nursery running through my own efforts. This haor nursery is my source of income.”

Md. Ohidur Rahman, Regional Coordinator of BARCIK, said, “Over the past years, we have been with you. Even if we are not here, you must continue your organization, seed bank, nursery, research activities, family-based research, and upazila coordination committee.” He went on saying, ‘the Upazila Green coalition and District People’s Organization Coordination Committee will support you in any problem.”

It is to be note that instead of single-crop rice farming in haor areas, the cultivation of vegetables, oilseeds, and spices has increased. Many women now conserve vegetable seeds at home. Nurseries have saplings suitable for haor areas. Farmers are benefiting from cultivating Hakim, Malshira, Khekshial, and Binni rice in sandy soil. They are also growing peanuts, corn, and sweet potatoes in sandy soil.