Nagdah village –  a beacon of modern farming in Rangpur

On the concrete floor of a small tin-shed room, farmer Shamsuzzaman sorts eggplants. This place, known locally as the farmers' hub, plays a pivotal role in the lives of Nagdah villagers in Pirgachha upazila of Rangpur.

Here, farmers sell their produce at fair prices, which Shamsuzzaman later sells to wholesalers in larger markets. The vegetables then reach various districts, including Dhaka.

Adjacent to the hub, a vegetable nursery surrounded by netted shades offers seedlings of chilli, papaya, and eggplant. Farmers also access seeds, soil-less saplings, agricultural machinery rentals, and expert advice through the hub.

Local farmer Moinul Islam praised the initiative, saying, "The farmers' hub has simplified production and marketing. We no longer need to travel daily to markets to sell our vegetables. It saves both time and labour while ensuring good prices. Moreover, agricultural tools and inputs are available at low costs, reducing production expenses and increasing our productivity and income."

Beyond the farmers' hub, initiatives such as crop insurance, integrated production systems, natural storage, and balanced fertiliser use have turned Nagdah into a role model for modern agriculture.

Nearly 455 farmers in the village are linked to this model village project, implemented by the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF) with support from Standard Chartered Bank.

A similar initiative is also underway in Dhantala, Rangpur sadar upazila.

Crop insurance for potatoes

Potatoes are among the crops most affected during the boro season due to prolonged cold waves and damp weather, which lead to late blight disease. To mitigate risks, SAF has introduced crop insurance for potato farmers in Nagdah.

Around 200 farmers have opted for the insurance this season, paying a premium of Tk1,155 per bigha (33 decimals).

If their crops are damaged, they can claim up to Tk20,000. The compensation depends on conditions such as a four-day stretch of temperatures below 10°C, which qualifies for a 10-15% payout.

Farmer Alam Mia said, "I have insured 10 decimals of my two-acre potato field. In our region, winter temperatures drop to 7-8°C, causing damage every year. This insurance is new to us, so I'm trying it on a trial basis this season."

SAF Bangladesh Executive Director Farhad Jamil said, "We've been working on crop insurance since 2016, covering 22 districts. This initiative provides farmers with security, as climate vulnerability often leaves them devastated by crop losses. Crop insurance is gaining popularity in Bangladesh, as it has abroad."

Balanced fertiliser usage

In collaboration with the Soil Resource Development Institute, SAF tested soil samples from farmers' fields to promote balanced fertiliser use. Excessive fertiliser application can degrade soil fertility and harm biodiversity. By understanding soil composition, farmers can now apply appropriate fertilisers, ensuring better yields and environmental sustainability.

Modern farming practices

A soilless quality seedling and sapling nursery has been established in the village. Farmers have been provided with seedling transplanters, saving both time and cost.

Photo: TBS

Also, four-wheel tractors, mini tillers, rice transplanters, rice seedling trays, and combined harvesters are being offered either free of charge or at subsidised rates.

Hybrid solar irrigation systems have also been installed under a cost-sharing model with a long-term business plan. Furthermore, an agri-commodity transportation van has been introduced to enhance market access and support local entrepreneurship.

"Our model is designed around smart agriculture. The project aims to reduce farmers' costs by incorporating modern technology at every stage of the agricultural process – input, production, and marketing. Farmers now have access to high-quality seeds at affordable prices. Small-scale farmers, especially in remote areas, often lack access to advanced machinery," said Farhad Jamil.

He added, "We've developed a model to make these tools accessible at low costs. From solar-based irrigation to post-production management through the farmers' hub, the initiative saves farmers time and money. This model focuses on reducing production costs and promoting safe food production. Once implemented nationwide, it could serve as an example for others to follow."

Bitopi Das Chowdhury, country head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank, said, "Under the model village initiative, farmers are being encouraged to use improved seed varieties for better yields. We are also supporting them with fertilisers and vermicompost. This initiative stems from our commitment to social responsibility."