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Women take control

In Jhenidah they grow vegetables on their own

AZIBOR RAHMAN, Ihenidah
Many women in Jhenidah have been working in the crop fields reluctantly under men and contributing to their family with their hard labour and skill. The vegetables produced are almost organic, where various types of locally produced compost manures and vermincompost (fertilizer from the earth worms) are widely used. The initiative was a challenging one when the entire farming system was clutched by the chemical farming throughout the country. The female farmers now are selling the vegetables in markets as well as consuming the same for their family.
Rushia Khatun, 35, a house wife at Madhabpur village in Ganna Union Parishad in Jhenidah Upazila said that she has been working in crop fields with her husband, Tajul Islam, for last 15 years. Initially, she started farming activities when her family could not mange day labourer. Rushia, who studied up to class five said that two of her kids go to school. The family income with the joint activities had ensured them purchasing four bighas (measurement of land) of arable land. The purchased land have been used to produce vegetables all year round.
Rushia, also the president of Madhabpur Chashi Club (farmers' club) said that they formed a club in the village where women lead the organization. She depositedTk. 20 a week from her earning that now cumulated to Tk. 13,000 in last 19months. Following the success, Rahima, Rashida, Mita and some other women in the village were encouraged to work in the crop fields.
Working with her husband Rushia had constructed a building where it was nothing but a dream for her. "I am proud of Rushia as she works in crop fields like the males in the village. The financial solvency in my family was possible for her", said Rushia's husband Tajul Islam.
Another housewife, Morzina Khatun, 35, of Balarampur village said that she was encouraged to handle the process of vermin compost by her father, Omar Ali, an ideal farmer of Moheshwarchanda village. Now, around 3,000 housewives are working under a Card Samity of the village. She earns Tk 30,000 thousand per month, she added.
Madhabpur Chashi Club member said, her husband Shah Alam was very open minded to allow her in the fields. Usually she earns Taka 1,200 to 1,400 a month. "Usually I do not give pressure on my husband for my kids' education as I am earning working in the crop fields. Furthermore, the weekly savings for Tk. 20 deposited in the club account might be a great savings in the long run, she said.
According to Mita, selling vegetables in the market, each and everybody in the family give emphasis on consuming vegetables they produce. Villagers are pleased when she can distribute the organic vegetables free of cost among their near and dear ones. A non-governmental
organization has organized the women farmers in Jhenidah.
Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila Chashi Federation president Rabiul Islam said, the farmers in Jhenaidah and Chuadanga districts were organized through 60 clubs, raising their voices in their respective locality to receive services from the department of agriculture extension, cooperative, social welfare, women affairs, youth development, water development board, Union Parishad and some others institutions.
Maina Khatun, field level activist of the a development organization Action In Development-AID said, the agriculture project had a great impact in the society when 64 women of total 69 were engaged in crop farming in the locality, while five well-to-do women were not allowed to work in crop fields.
Any latest technology and knowhow is now within the reach as the farmers are keeping touch with Union information centers in the respective areas. The project had ensured a new era for women in society, She said.
Chandan Bose Mukto, project coordinator of the implementing organization AID, said, the Manusher Jonno Foundation providing support for the project, such as: Establishment and Protection of Rights of Vegetables Producing Farmers (EPRVPF) targeting the Access Creation and Association Building for Agriculture Development (AABAD) in Jhenaidah and Chuadanga districts
since 2009. Three other organizations: Sonarbangla Foundation, RESWO and Pratyasha Samajik Unnayan Sangstha working as partner organizations in their respective areas
Sixty villages of Jhenidah Sadar, Kaliganj and Kotchandpur Upazila in Jhenidah and Chuadanga Sadar and Alamdanga Upzila in Chuadanga districts have been covered under the EPRVPF project activities. The project has been helping the access for the farmers in government institutions and good governance.
It has been also helping the farmers to avail latest available technologies from service providers at the villages. The project has been contributing a lot as it helps ensure financial safety for the farmers.
Deputy Director of the department of agriculture extension in Jhenidah Joynul Abedin said, the field level activities of the DAE were strengthened as the project has been helping learning the responsibility and accountability of the staff in fields towards the digitalized country.
Jhenidah sadar Upazila Nirbahi (UNO) officer, Kalachand Shingha said, the people of the working areas were consuming the fresh and organic vegetables, as well as the farmers, especially, the women farmers were benefiting from the project when they were engaged in their livelihood aside their male counterparts. The trend will help establish rights for the women community gradually.