An increase in soil salinity could lead to a 15.6% decline in rice yield by 2050, which will significantly impact the incomes of farmers in coastal areas.
We work in emergency response and recovery, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, and carry out mainstreaming of adaptation and mitigation activities to combat adverse climatic risks and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities.
Our goal is to establish BRAC as a leading entity on humanitarian response and address the impact of climate change at national and international levels.
The agricultural sector is one of the sectors most affected by climate change. We work with governments to achieve food security in seven countries across Asia and Africa.
We build systems of production and distribution, offering quality seeds at fair prices while developing better crop varieties and practices. We develop markets using an approach that encourages entrepreneurship and supports countries to become self-sufficient in food production. Our global network of community model farmers are permanent ambassadors of good farming practices.
MADHURI MALLICK
I was about to sit for my secondary school certificate exams when I was married off. I struggled for years with my in-laws to complete my schooling and earning through tutoring.
As soon as I started making some money, I used it to buy seeds from BRAC. I convinced my husband to move out of the joint family homestead so I could start farming. I enjoyed tilling and sowing, and loved our small piece of land. I tutored and farmed. I kept saving and buying livestock and seeds, and slowly expanding our small farm. When I received training on machine harvesting, I knew my path was set.
I faced a lot of resistance when I first started harvesting crops using a machine. Landowners and farmers had two issues - first about the machine, and then that a woman was operating it. When they saw the cost benefits, they were forced to rethink.
It was not only cost-effective but saved time, which is really important in Fultola in Khulna, where I live. Time is of the essence with farming, as we face increasingly changing weather patterns every year. Harvesting must be done before the saline water from the rivers starts flowing into the canals. Farmers suffer constantly because of this.
My husband and I were both trained in operating the machines, and now we earn up to BDT 1,000 from harvesting one acre. Other people are seeing the advantages of machine harvesting, and are also slowly starting to believe that women can do it. I love our small farm and I am happy that we can spend time in it.