Low-Cost Organic Pesticides Finally Bring Success
Monira and her large household are better off financially and finally getting some delicious, homegrown, organic vegetables in their diet. And all because Monira had the good fortune to meet a person who invited her to attend a weekly meeting of a women’s group under the auspices of local partner Participatory Action for Rural Innovation (PARI).
While her husband and son work as day laborers, Monira, like most village women, cultivates a kitchen garden using traditional methods. Though she’d long tried raising a wide variety of vegetables including red amaranth, green beans and pumpkins, she was rarely successful because of insect attacks and fungal infections. Even though she knew using an excess of chemical fertilizers and pesticides could be hazardous to human and environmental health, she didn’t know what else to do.
After learning about the goals and objectives of the women’s group, she felt optimistic enough to join. As a member she enjoyed the social aspect of the meetings, and began receiving training on organic agriculture. She improved her knowledge of sustainable practices in animal husbandry and learned a lot about the principles of sound nutrition. Inspired by the organic farming lessons, she asked a PARI volunteer to teach her how to make organic pesticides and fungicides. She quickly got the hang of it and started to make them on her own, applying them to what she was growing.
In just a few days, she observed that the infestations of insects and fungi in her garden had decreased. Soon after, she was picking healthy vegetables and, for the first time in a long time, she got a good harvest. It didn’t take long for neighbor women to see her results and ask what she was doing differently. She encouraged them to make their own organic products. Now three of the women are regularly using them and also experiencing better outcomes.
Monira says, “Since I learned how to make and apply organic pesticides and fungicides, my family has benefited a lot. My production costs are lower yet my yields have increased. I also credit all the good practices I’ve learned about farming in general. Besides being able to give my family more wholesome food, I am benefiting financially since people are very interested in buying my beautiful, healthy produce. I am thankful to PARI and other supporters for bringing me into this initiative.”
Bangladesh Dewanganj Program
Led by World Renew and Local Partner Participatory Action or Rural Innovation (PARI)