Poverty alleviation without bank loan
Monwara and Surjo examples for many in Payerabond, Rangpur
A Correspondent, Rangpur
Monwara Begum and Surjo Begum are now a source of inspiration for many in Payerabond in Rangpur, the birthplace of legendary Bangalee woman Begum Rokeya. Begum Rokeya was the torchbearer in removing women's illiteracy. Monwara and Surjo are alleviating poverty by spreading the spirit of self-reliance. Following their example, many poor women in the area are now well off and self-reliant by growing vegetables and raising small poultry on backyards. Both Monwara and Surjo had to remain half fed seven years back. They changed their lot through hard work, sincerity and guideline from local agriculture officials. But they did not take any loan from any NGO. Monwara is known in the area for producing and selling compost fertiliser. "I am happy. I save at least Tk 2000 a month after maintaining my family", Monwara told this correspondent during a visit to the her house at of Chuhor village in Payerabond union in Mithaspukur upazila. Her husband Abdur Rouf was a day labourer earlier. Now, they work together in their small vegetable garden and in producing compost fertiliser. About four years back, she had once bought cow dung worth Tk about 200 for use in her vegetable garden. She thought she could save the money used for cow dung if she could find an alternative. Hamidur Rahman, Block Supervisor of the Department of Agriculture Extension (AED), suggested her to produce organic compost fertiliser. She prepared several stakes of organic compost with hyacinth and cow dung. After using a portion in her garden, she sold the rest to local farmers. Since then she is a compost seller. Shurjo Begum's husband was a hotel waiter at Mithapukur. She started growing vegetables in the backyard of her house at Islampur at the advice of Hamidur Rahman. Now she owns a hotel at Damdama, run by her husband. The then state minister for agriculture Mirza Fakrul Alamgir had visited their gardens and small farms in 2001 and praised their efforts. He had asked local AED officials to help spread the ideas and activities of the two women in the area for poverty alleviation. A large number of women in the two villages now grow vegetables and raise poultry on backyards. Mithapukur Upzila Agriculture Officer Mostafizur Rahman and Block Supervisor Hamidur Rahman have made their efforts successful.
| 
