Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 16, 2026 (BSS) - Grassroots women farmers at a community advocacy meeting strongly called for ensuring food sovereignty through the promotion and preservation of local seeds. 

They also shared their experiences of producing safe food using local seeds, farmers’ traditional knowledge and locally available inputs, while emphasizing seed sovereignty and the need to build climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Green Coalition and development research organization BARCIK organized the meeting titled “Demanding Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Drought and Climate-Resilient Agriculture” in Darshanpara village under Paba Upazila in the district today.
A total of 45 women farmers and male farmers engaged in safe agricultural practices participated in the meeting held at the Bilnepalpara Agroecology Learning Center (ALC).

BARCIK Regional Coordinator Shahidul Islam, Program Officer Touhidul Islam, Barendra Youth Forum President Atikur Rahman Atik, and farmers Sultana Begum, Mahmuda Begum, Panna Begum, Shukila Begum and Abdus Salam spoke at the event.

The meeting was informed that 198 varieties of seeds are currently being conserved at the Bilnepalpara Agroecology Learning Center and Community Seed Bank. These include 83 varieties of vegetables, 40 varieties of paddy, 30 varieties of medicinal plants, 15 varieties of fruits and 30 varieties of Rabi crops.

Participants said the seeds are seasonally produced in 35 model homesteads in Darshanpara Union. Surplus seeds are deposited at the ALC and exchanged among local farmers.