Zakir Azad, Cumilla

In addition to household work, the women of Brahmanpara in Cumilla are also contributing equally to men in the production of rice, winter vegetables and rapeseeds. They are making additional income in the family by planting vegetables and fruits in the fallow land and yard near the house. In addition to meeting the expenses of the family, the economy of the family is also prospering. As a result, there is a touch of prosperity in the family.

It is known that the women of different areas of the upazila have been doing the process of sowing crops in the house yard and fallow land as well as in the land, starting from crop harvesting, seed storage, processing and even marketing. Along with male farmers, women are now getting the benefits of agricultural inputs, fertilizer seeds, farmer cards and agricultural loans. There is an unprecedented development in agriculture and the production of agricultural products is increasing at a higher rate.

According to Upazila Agriculture Department, 520 family nutrition gardens provided by the project have been established in different areas of 8 unions of this upazila. The women of the family do all the work from sowing seeds to regular maintenance in these nutrient gardens. Apart from this, 880 farmers of the upazila have been given mustard, onion, maize and sunflower seeds free of cost. In addition, many women farmers have also received these seeds from government incentives.

Women are also not behind in crop production in Brahmanpara. Krishani Bokul Khanom went to the field of Manoharpur area of upazila and met her. He was tending to his cultivated red vegetables. Talk to him. He said, "My husband and I have planted red cabbage seeds in the 21st century land. It cost me five thousand taka. Red cabbage seedlings are growing. Now weeding it out. If these vegetables are suitable for sale, I hope to make a profit by selling additional red vegetables after meeting the family needs. I will be able to provide some financial support to the family.

Krishani Johura Aktet of Chandipur area said, "Since childhood, I have seen our mothers and aunts plant seeds of various vegetables, ginger and turmeric in front of the house in the courtyard of the house. We brothers and sisters used to help and care for them. Involved in agriculture since childhood. Now that I have my own family, even after coming here, I have been cultivating various vegetables to meet the needs of the family. With that, any needs of the family could be met. However, with the help of the agriculture office, I have cultivated vegetables in my home yard for three years. As a result, in addition to fulfilling their own needs, my family has a kind of additional income by selling extra vegetables.

Upazila Agriculture Officer. Mahbubul Hasan said, 'There are about 72-75 thousand farmer families in Brahmanpara. The women of these families are also involved in agriculture in one way or another. Apart from this, many of the women here are directly involved in agriculture in all seasons. We have given them various seeds, fertilizers and allotment facilities of incentives at various times. Many farmers are meeting the financial needs of the family by selling the crops produced in their home yard and land.

He also said that several other steps, including giving priority to farmers in marginal benefits and social security programs, will pave the way for development. If the fortune of women is improved, women can speed up all other developments including agricultural development of this country.