He grew rice and jute, but he did know how to grow vegetables. Hasem also ran a small grocery store out of his home in Bangladesh, yet he struggled to make a strong income. It wasn’t until Hasem became involved in sustainable agriculture programs through World Renew that new possibilities began to open up for him, his family, and his community.
When World Renew’s local partner, SATHI, began working in Hasem’s community, they had the goal of training farmers to practice environmentally-friendly agriculture through the adoption of composting and vegetable gardening. These practices give farmers the option of using organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers, which help to increase the fertility of the soil. Farmers were encouraged to grow vegetables and incorporate them into the family diet in order to improve household nutrition.
Hasem had some abandoned land available around his homestead, but he didn’t realize he could use it for gardening until he became involved in the farming training. He became a member of a local farmers’ group and received various trainings on composting, growing a kitchen garden, and how to use organic pesticides.
“These trainings opened my thinking,” he said. “I now understand the importance of nutrition for my family and for others.”
Today, Hasem has become a model farmer. He uses compost and organic pesticides in his garden. He grows a variety of local crops, including gourds, amaranth, radishes, beans and papaya. Since his family has vegetables right at home, they no longer have to buy them from the market.
“I am proud to provide vegetables for my family.”
“I am proud to provide vegetables for my family,” said Hasem.
He is also proud that he has the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to others. As an elected leader for his farmers’ group, Hasem helps train fellow farmers in composting and vegetable gardening. He now knows that his actions can make a huge difference in helping famers in Bangladesh have better nutrition and use practices that protect and nourish God’s land.