Padma river chars witness a farming revolution with multicropping

Ibrahim Ali Sumon cultivates onions on agricultural land that has formed on the chars of the Padma River in Charghat upazila, Rajshahi.

However, just a few years ago, the reality was very different.

"Even four years ago, at best we would scatter dhaincha seeds across these chars," said Sumon. Those plants were later used as firewood.

Because of the constant fear of river erosion, farmers avoided cultivating crops on the char areas.

But now, a variety of crops are being grown on 43 chars of the Padma River. Land that was once fallow or used for grazing is now producing a wide range of crops.

Farmers from the Charghat char areas take their produce directly to Baneshwar Bazar, about 10 kilometres away, where they mainly sell their crops at wholesale prices. From Baneshwar, the produce grown on these fertile chars is distributed to different parts of the country.

Farmers say that although farming on the chars is somewhat challenging, it plays a central role in improving their livelihoods. The soil of the chars is no longer left fallow. By cultivating crops here, farmers are becoming economically stable.

Asked whether the fear of river erosion still affects farming in the char areas, farmer Mukhtar Ali said, "Whether we farm or not, the char will eventually be taken by the river. So, since we also have to survive, we have been cultivating the chars for the past few years, putting all fears aside. When the river takes the land, it will take it — that is a matter of fate."

However, various challenges remain in the char areas, including transport and electricity. Farmers say that if government support increases in these areas, even more significant changes could take place in agriculture there.

Cultivation, hardship and hope

During visits to several chars, it was evident that a wide variety of crops are being cultivated across vast stretches of land. From fruits and vegetables to spices, farmers are growing crops of their choice.

In fact, char agriculture has embraced modern techniques, with land now being cultivated using power tillers and tractors.

We spoke to one farmer named Kazi Sirajul. He said that he is cultivating nearly four bighas of land on a newly emerged char through lease. 

"Every year I lease some char land and cultivate it. This year, I am doing the same. On these four bighas, I have planted onions, garlic, lentils, and khesari. The lentil crop has not been very good, but the other crops are doing fairly well. I am hopeful that they will bring me a good return."

Speaking about the challenges of farming in the char areas, he said that transport and electricity are major issues. "Although electricity is now reaching some chars, irrigation facilities in these areas are still not on par with those in regular agricultural land. If these problems are addressed, the hardships faced by farmers cultivating the chars will be significantly reduced."

Currently, around 20 types of crops are produced annually on these chars, contributing to a more vibrant local economy. In the char areas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Natore districts, rice, onions, groundnuts, and maize are being cultivated on a large scale. On char land, it is now possible to grow crops three times a year, which is helping to increase farmers' incomes.

Government initiative to boost char farming

According to reliable sources, a project undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture is operating on 18 chars in Rajshahi district, five chars in Lalpur upazila of Natore, and 20 chars in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas of Chapainawabganj. The total agricultural land across these chars is 17,023 hectares.

As a result of the project, land has increased by 431 hectares across the 43 chars. Crop production has also risen. Where 10 to 12 types of crops were once cultivated, now 20 types of crops are being grown.

According to sources at the Rajshahi divisional Department of Agricultural Extension, the project is running in Paba, Godagari, and Bagha upazilas of Rajshahi district. The chars under Paba upazila are Char Khidirpur, Char Majhardiar, Haripur, and Alimganj. Under Bagha upazila, they are Kaldeskhali, Dadpur, Palashi Fatepur, Barshadiar, Gaopara, Fatepur Palashi, and Mashidpur. Under Godagari upazila, they include Char Ashariyadah, Matikata, Rajabari, Gogram, and the municipality area.

The number of beneficiary farmers across these chars exceeds 15,000.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Mosammat Sabina Begum, said, "In the char areas, many farmers' fortunes have changed through cash crops. We are continuing to work with them through various project-based initiatives, including providing advice." She added that the agriculture department will continue working to resolve any problems faced by the farmers.

At one time, boro rice, mashkalai, lentils, wheat, mustard, rai mustard, khesari, jute, sesame, coriander, tomato, aubergine, peas, mango, chili, onion, sweet potato, and maize were cultivated on these chars. Currently, black cumin, pointed gourd, groundnut, maize, sweet pumpkin, jute, boro rice, peas, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, melon, cucumber, and garlic are being cultivated. 

Crops, cattle and the fertility of river silt

Farmer Shafiqul Alam from one such char said that earlier, only a few crops were produced on char land. "Now, along with cauliflower and cabbage, black cumin, watermelon, melon, and cucumber are being cultivated. Cultivation costs are comparatively low on char land, and yields are good."

Local residents said that char areas benefit from silt-rich soil, which requires less fertilizer. However, installing small irrigation pumps would make farming more convenient and further strengthen the char economy. Boats remain the only means of communication, and for agriculture and other goods, they are the sole mode of transport.

Pesticide traders in the char areas noted that char crops require less fertilizer. While crops on other land may need fertilization three times, char crops often require it only once. As a result, farmers save significantly on fertilizer costs.

Another farmer, Abdul Qader, said that extensive livestock rearing takes place on the chars. "Every household on the char has livestock. Straw from crops produced on the chars is used as animal feed. Mangoes and various other fruits and crops are being produced on char land. In addition, with advice from agricultural officers, new crops are being cultivated on the chars."

Regarding this, Rajshahi district livestock officer Dr Md Atowar Rahman said that livestock rearing on the chars has increased compared to the past. "Although the health of char livestock is not intensive, it is good. These animals are not artificially fattened. Livestock rearing on the chars is playing a major role in the economy. In the future, livestock rearing on the chars will increase further."

Bagha upazila agriculture officer Md Shafiullah Sultan said that among the char areas of Rajshahi, Bagha produces the highest amount of fruits and crops. "Compared to other land, crop production costs are lower on char land, and yields are better. A new char has emerged in Bagha, and we will bring that char under cultivation."

He added that cultivable land on the chars has increased compared to the past. "At one time, five to six types of crops were cultivated on char land. Now, more crops are being produced. Char areas are playing a major role in agriculture and the economy."

During the previous government's tenure, a project was undertaken to bring char land under cultivation. Additional director of the Rajshahi divisional Department of Agricultural Extension, Dr Md Azizur Rahman, said that this project is ongoing in Rajshahi, Natore and Chapainawabganj. 

"The amount of agricultural land in char areas has increased after the project was launched. At the same time, the production of various crops has increased. The project's goals are to ensure food security, meet national nutritional demand, increase cropping intensity on the chars, expand modern technology, diversify crops and increase agricultural commercialisation through expanded cultivation."

Rajshahi regional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Sirajul Islam, said that cultivation in the char areas of Rajshahi is increasing every year. "Chars that submerge annually accumulate silt, and silt is extremely beneficial for land. Crops grown on silt-mixed soil are of good quality." 

However, he noted that in some char areas, harmful medicines commonly used in neighbouring India are applied. These medicines are used to control pests, but crops grown using them are harmful to health. Such instances, he said, are rare.

He added that field-level workers have been instructed to encourage char farmers and resolve their problems. 

"Through various programmes, their issues are addressed. Farmers in the char areas are also benefiting from the government's farmer-friendly initiatives. They are playing an important role in national production."