Farmers Grow Business with Seed-Fertilizer Drills in Bangladesh
Like many rural families in Bagarpara Upazilla Khulna division, Jessore, Bangladesh, Md. Tariqul Islam and his family make their living from agriculture. In addition to cultivating his family farm, Islam uses specialized machinery to cultivate land for neighboring farmers. “I used a simple two wheeled tractor (2WT) before,” says Islam, describing the most common agricultural technology in the region, “and these conventional power tillers have limited facility in comparison to the SFD.” The SFD, or Seeder Fertilizer Drill, is a technology introduced by USAID’s CSISA-MI project that allows local service providers like Islam to plant, fertilize and plow at the same time – drastically increasing the rate at which land is prepared and the value of their services. “When SFD was demonstrated in our village, I was impressed by its facilities of tillage, seeding and laddering simultaneously. It offers fertilizing facilities also. This year I have cultivated 10.5 hectares and given services to around fifty farmers. Last year with the 2WT, I had to plow much more land to earn the same amount.” “The cost of SFD is $745 and I bought it from a local dealer at $280. I paid the balance through a voucher program, which required that I cultivate at least eight hectares over the following three months. After two months, I’ve already completed more than that.” With this investment, he has earned $400 in less than two months. “The Seed Fertilizer Drill has helped to grow my business. With the additional income, we have leased an additional plot of land to grow lentils,” said Md. Tariqul Islam. Islam also runs a crop stock business, buying wheat, lentils and jute when prices are low and re-selling them as prices increase. “My new investment will supplement my stock business,” says Islam. “It will also improve the living standard of my five-member family.” Islam is not the only one in the area who is excited about the new SFD. “My neighboring farmers are surprised to see the machine’s simultaneous tilling, six-line sowing, fertilization, and laddering functions. Its efficiency and accuracy result in better yields, which have also impressed them. I have already advised my fellow farmers to buy the machine and everyone seems positive.”