Farmer Groups Bring Knowledge and Empowerment
One of the first things local partner SATHEE did after launching the Atpara Nutrition Focused Agriculture program in early 2025 was to form men’s and women’s farmer groups.
One such women’s group was begun in Srirampur village. The idea of female farmers was new to the community, but the group members were eager to learn and challenge traditional mindsets. Participants received training on environmentally friendly agriculture, health, food and nutrition, and the importance of care during the first 1,000 days of life. Inspired by these lessons, the group selected Riva as their model farmer, recognizing her ability to motivate others.
She was particularly drawn to the concept of pile composting. With support from project staff, she took the initiative to organize practical learning sessions for her fellow group members. Together, they successfully completed their first compost pile and are eagerly awaiting the final product. The group expressed immense satisfaction after completing this initial task.
Riva shared, “I can’t even begin to describe my joy. Our group members felt empowered, like they had found a new purpose. We’ve learned something valuable, and now we’re committed to using it—not just for ourselves, but for our entire village. As for me, I’m not stopping here. This is just the beginning. My dream is to take composting beyond our little group—to make it a way of life for the whole community. We can do this. We will do this.”
A men’s farmer group was organized in Kandipara with 20 members. Lacking any previous agricultural training, they had relied on conventional farming methods and had increasingly turned to chemical fertilizers. Through training, they quickly came to understand the importance of consuming safe food—not only for their own health but also for the survival and well-being of the next generation.
Group leader Shahidullah reflected, “It was early 2025 when everything began to shift. A spark of change arrived in our village—something we had been waiting for, without even knowing it. For years, we worked as farmers with limited knowledge. But no one ever came to guide us. Now, this project is opening our eyes in a new way.”
Bangladesh Atpara Program
Led by World Renew and local partner Sustainability Approach for The Human Empowerment and Equity Society (SATHEE)