Pilot projects to combat 'monga' in N dists

Brac, a prominent NGO and North West Focal Area Forum, a development body of 12 organisations, have undertaken two pilot projects to combat 'monga', a near famine situation during pre-harvest period of September-November, in Nilphamari and Rangpur.

Our Nilphamari Correspondent reports: Brac has launched two 'monga' alleviation programmes, one to popularise advance varieties of paddy, BRRI-33 and BRRI-39, among the farmers and the other one a special interest-free loan programme to support the ultra-poor people.

The programme has created a great enthusiasm among the farmers in six upazilas. The farmers are also showing keen interest towards crops diversification.

While exchanging views with journalists at its auditorium, Brac regional manager (special programme to combat 'monga') Akbar Hossainn Mollah said that they had already supplied 5000 kg of seeds of the two varieties at subsidised rates among 1,094 farmers. He said, the two varieties of paddy can be harvested during peak 'monga' period of mid-October within 110 days of plantation. 'Our agriculturists provide logistic support to the farmers,' he said.

Brac agriculturist Din Mohammad said their efforts will not only remove food crisis but also provide employment opportunities to poor people.

Apart from this, Brac also initiated a Tk 32,75.000 interest-free loan programme. Loan will be distributed among the ultra-poor people during 'monga' period.

Brac already disbursed Tk 2 crore for creating job opportunities among women till middle of June. It was aimed at protecting women from being trafficked.

Our Rangpur Correspondent reports: North West Focal Area Forum has initiated a pilot project to alleviate 'monga' in the target region.

On successful implementation of the project, job opportunities will be created among thousands of agricultural day labourers during lean period.

North West Focal Area Forum which includes Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Bangladesh

Rural Development Board (BRDB), RDRS, TMSS, USS and other government and non-governmental organisations, undertook the programme after long research on several crops.

The programme emphasised on crops diversification and usage of modern technology during 'aman' and 'rabi' seasons.

Under the project, farmers are trained on cultivation of early harvest BRRI-dhan 32, BRRI-dhan 33, BRRI-dhan 39 including mung, potato and maize.

Dr Md Abdul Majid, senior scientific officer of BRRI Rangpur Regional Office told The Daily Star the main objective of the programmes is to create job opportunities among agricultural laboureres in rural areas during lean period of Bangla months of Ashwin and Kartik.

He said, if farmers cultivate BRRI-dhan 32, BRRI-dhan-33 and BRRI-dhan 39 during 'aman' season then they can harvest these at least 45 days earlier than that of the conventional variety of 'aman' paddy. This will result in creating jobs, he said.

DAE will supervise the programme while BRRI will provide technical support to the farmers.

RDRS area co-ordinator M G Neogi told The Daily Star that people's suffering would be mitigated during 'monga' period by successful transfer of technology among the farmers.