RANGPUR, Jan 30 (BSS): Experts at a workshop laid emphasis on the need for popularising the climate resilient farming among the small and marginal farmers to increase crop production in the northern region.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and Practical Action Bangladesh (PAB) jointly organised a review workshop under the Climate Resilient Agriculture Project at Parbotipur upazila council auditorium in Dinajpur on Monday.
Members of Local Economic Development Forum, government and NGO officials, local farmers and public representatives participated in the workshop to assess the economical, social and environmental benefits of climate resilient agriculture technologies.
With Parbotipur upazila agriculture officer of the DAE Abu Fattah Md Rawshan Kabir in the chair, Parbotipur upazila Chairman Aminul Islam attended the workshop as the chief guest.
Market Development Field Facilitator of PAB Rakibuzzaman elaborated the initiatives taken under of the Climate Resilient Agriculture Project to protect and promote the indigenous, eco-friendly farm practices and interests of local farmers.
Abu Fattah Md Rawshan Kabir said the eco-friendly indigenous and climate resilient agricultural practices and technologies are cost effective and suitable for the poor or small and marginal farmers.
The chief guest highly appreciated the efforts of PAB in popularising the eco-friendly and climate resilient farm practices and technologies and suggested all concerned in reaching those at the doorstops of small and marginal farmers.
He laid emphasis on adoption of collective advocacy plans to promote the practices as well as marketing facilities for ensuring fair price of agricultural products and improving livelihoods of the small and marginal farmers.
Meanwhile, in Rajshahi, speakers at a discussion have unequivocally called for bringing all the climate-affected farmers under the privileges of crop insurance in Barind region.
They mentioned farmers of the drought-prone area have been facing loss due to the adverse impact of climate change. So, there is no way but to compensate them with insurance support.
The observations came at a view-sharing meeting styled 'Crop Insurance for Drought-affected Barind Farmers' held at BADC conference hall at Bargachhi under Paba upazila in the district on Monday.
Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Farmers Organisations Coordination Committee jointly organised the meeting.
'Launching crop insurance, sustaining people and their livelihoods' was the main theme of the discussion.
National agriculture award winner farmer Abdur Rahim addressed the discussion as focal person narrating their sufferings caused by the impact of climate change.
BARCIK Coordinator (Barind Region) Shahidul Islam and its Programme Assistant Brojendra Nath and farmers Rahima Begum and Jewel Rana also spoke.
Abdur Rahim said adverse impacts of climate change have triggered recurrence of natural calamities in the region posing a serious threat to the farming of all seasonal crops, including vegetables and the living and livelihood condition of farmers' community in the region.
He said the duration of winter along with its intensity has been changed remarkably during the last couple of years which is detrimental to winter crops farming.
The ongoing climate change at alarming rates has severely affected winter vegetable farming and its diversity creating a real threat to food production. The developed countries should fulfil their commitment towards climate funding and ensure transparency in use of this fund.
Time-befitting measures need to be adopted urgently to boost agricultural productions for ensuring food security amid adverse impacts of climatic changes.
Shahidul Islam read out the concept paper on the issue pointing out that the existing agricultural system has started facing a serious threat because of climate change that also leads to various natural disasters.
To face the odd situation, the Bangladesh Climate Change Resilient Fund and Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund should be more effective so that the vulnerable people can derive total benefits of the funds and there is no alternative to it, he added.
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