CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, Sept 18: In the face of rising land costs, recurring floods and saline water intrusion, farmers in the coastal region of Char Fasson Upazila in the district, are turning to an innovative agricultural solution; ginger cultivation in sacks.
Once an unconventional idea, this method is quickly gaining popularity as a cost-effective, flood-resilient alternative that not only ensures household food supply but also promises commercial benefits.
Ginger, prized both as a spice and a medicinal herb, continues to fetch a high price in the market. Seeing the potential, farmers at Char Fasson have begun growing ginger in sacks; an approach that demands significantly lower investment and labour than traditional farming.
The process involves using discarded rice or plastic sacks filled with sandy loam soil, organic fertiliser and ginger seeds.
Because the sacks can be easily moved to higher ground, crops remain safe from tidal floods and water-logging, which are common in this river-surrounded region.
Many farmers, who previously couldn't cultivate crops during the rainy season, are now able to farm year-round using this method.
Md Barek, a farmer from Aslampur union, shared that this is the first time sack-based ginger farming is being practised in the upazila. He is cultivating ginger in 300 sacks and finds the process straightforward; requiring just routine watering and occasional fertilising.
With support from the local agricultural office, farmers like him are learning quickly and benefiting from hands-on guidance provided by field officers.
Upazila Agriculture Office reported that the initial target for sack-based ginger farming this year was 12,800 hectares, but enthusiasm among farmers has driven the cultivated area up to 13,500 hectares.
Farmers from areas including Aslampur, Hazariganj, Jahanpur, Abdullahpur, Char Madraj and Char Fasson Municipality are now actively involved in this practice.
The ginger grown in sacks tends to be medium in size but high in quality, ensuring strong market demand and good prices. Some farmers are even focusing on producing seed ginger for future planting.
Agriculture Officer Nazmul Huda noted that with much of Char Fasson's land submerged during the monsoon, sack farming offers a sustainable path forward.
He emphasised that once farmers master the technique, they could easily apply it to other crops such as turmeric, potatoes, sweet potatoes and taro.
The agriculture office is also organising training programmes at the local level to further promote this practice and ensure farmers have the knowledge they need to succeed.
Ultimately, the adoption of sack-based ginger cultivation is transforming agriculture in the upazila. It not only addresses land scarcity and climate challenges but is also injecting new life into the local economy.
As more farmers embrace this method, it holds the promise of increasing incomes, strengthening food security and supporting long-term self-reliance across the region.
