BRRI dhan102 harvest succeeds in 10 demo plots as nutrition gardens and climate-smart farming gain momentum
Youth-Led Climate Project Brings Flood-Resilient Farming Success to Savar Charlands
- Flood-tolerant BRRI dhan102 successfully harvested in Savar charlands
- Ten vulnerable households establish chemical-free nutrition gardens
- Climate-smart agriculture included in Union budgets through local advocacy
A youth-led climate initiative is demonstrating how technology-driven agriculture can strengthen climate resilience in Bangladesh's flood-prone char areas. Under the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) project, marginal farmers in Savar have successfully harvested flood-tolerant and zinc-enriched BRRI dhan102 from 10 of 12 demonstration plots.
The project is being implemented by Abhijatrik Foundation with technical support from GAIN and funding from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh.
Beyond rice cultivation, ten climate-vulnerable households in Nayapara, Sadhupura and Shewlateki of Ashulia have established nutrition gardens using unused homestead land. The gardens produce around 15 varieties of seasonal vegetables protected through eco-friendly pheromone traps instead of chemical pesticides.
More than 160 trained youth volunteers, half of them women, have led 16 awareness campaigns across Savar and Gazipur, promoting climate-smart agriculture and improved nutrition practices among local communities.
In February 2026, 60 youth representatives completed a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme and developed local action plans. In March, a technical team led by agricultural expert Dr. Md. Monir Uddin provided hands-on guidance to farmers in the field.
The initiative has also influenced local policymaking. Through newly formed multi-stakeholder platforms in Savar, Ashulia and Yearpur, nutrition and climate-resilient agriculture have been incorporated into the 2026-27 Union Parishad budgets for the first time.
Abhijatrik Foundation President Ahmed Imtiaz Jami said the project demonstrates the impact of empowering young people as community leaders rather than merely beneficiaries. He noted that the successful harvests and expansion of household nutrition gardens reflect the effectiveness of the initiative.
//DBTech/RSU/MUIM//
