Climate smart agriculture supporting livelihoods and inclusion in Bangladesh
Above: Farzana (right) with her mother Kulsum. Both women learned climate smart agriculture techniques through AHP-supported training. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan
Many people with disabilities in poor areas of Bangladesh face stigmas and hardships. But 20-year-old Farzana* is now changing attitudes in her family and community after accessing climate smart agriculture training.
Farzana, 20, lives in Teknaf Upazila in Cox’s Bazar, an area of Bangladesh hosting a large number of displaced Rohingya from Myanmar. She has four siblings, two of which are married and live separately. The other two live with her and her mother. Farzana was born with a visual impairment and one of her siblings was born with a physical disability, causing her family to be ostracised by the community due to negative attitudes and stigma.
Farzana’s mother Kulsum Begum* took over the responsibility of supporting her family when she separated from her husband, who later remarried. Before this, Kulsum’s family was supported by her husband’s work as a day labourer. Now Kulsum works as a vegetable farmer on the hilly slopes near her house.
In November 2023, Friends In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) organised Participatory Rural Appraisal sessions and conducted a comprehensive survey of households within the community to identify families to participate in a livelihoods program.
The initiative is supported through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh, with the support of the Australian Government. Plan International Bangladesh is providing technical support. Participant selection was based on vulnerability, and criteria such as having a family member with a disability, belonging to a low-income household, or having limited educational opportunities.
Above: Farzana tends to plants in her courtyard garden. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan
As Kulsum knows basic farming methods and has experience farming on the hillside, FIVDB provided her with training in Climate Smart Agriculture. Farzana also received the training alongside her mother. The course focuses on climate-smart agricultural and farming methods, as well as pest control and the use of fertilizer.
After receiving the training, Farzana and Kulsum felt curious and motivated to use these new approaches. They turned their courtyard into a vegetable garden using the methods they learnt. Farzana’s mother helped to prepare the plantings, and Farzana nurtured and watered the plants. They received 4000 BDT ($51 AUD) input support through the program, which they have used to purchase bamboo, nets, pest traps, sacks, ropes, seeds, fertilizers, and other supplies.
After two and half months, the garden began to grow vegetables such as gourd, spinach, and coriander. In the month of Ramadan, they were able to eat some of the produce for their own nutrition and sell some, reducing their cost of living while also generating around 3200 BDT (AUD $41).
Kulsum hopes to expand her garden and generate more income.
“Previously I was farming on the hill slopes but I’ve never seen these new techniques in my area,” she said. “I am hopeful that in the next seasons, even in the rainy seasons, I can make profit from my courtyard garden by using these techniques. I hope to continue the education of my younger daughter, who is currently in grade 3, from the profit.”
The training provided as part of the program has helped provide greater financial stability for Farzana, while also altering her family’s perception of her.
“I love to water and nurture the plants as I spend most time in the house. Now I’ve been using my time to nurture the plants. My significance has increased in my family and neighbourhood. I am now able to contribute to the family's income, which has fulfilled my dreams,” she said.
This activity was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and implemented by the CARE-led consortium with Oxfam and Plan International.
*Names changed