The project won silver in Young Asian Design Award (AYDA) 2017. The key aim of the project is to equip our farmers with modern effective skill, create consciousness to the society, reduce unemployment and ensure better community life.

Bangladesh is one the most densely populated countries in the world. Agriculture remains the most important sector of its economy, contributing 19.6% of national GDP and providing employment for 63% of the population (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, GoB). More than 70% people of Bangladesh and 77% of its workforce live in rural areas. 87% of rural households rely on Agriculture for at least part of their income. Above 30% of our farmers use handmade tools and equipment for cultivation. Most of our labor force is illiterate practicing traditional agricultural pattern. With the rapid growth of population, food demand is increasing, which impacts on irrigation by decreasing farm land for shelter construction.

Despite of having fertile land and ever enthusiastic population, why should we be left behind? It is probably the time to develop innovative yet sustainable farming techniques for our land along with farmers’ skill.

The project is a proposal for an institution fostering agriculture for a local community. Main component of the concept is our large labor force. Aim is that the local community will learn by non-formal education and have the scope to work at situ. This way a number of farmers will get an income for their work while benefiting the institution as well.

The program will be structured in courses of 7 days to 6 months duration. After that they will have the scope to work in existing project to acquire more skill or they can apply their learning in own farm lands producing better output. 25% of locally grown crops will be sold at the adjacent farmer’s market while the rest will be delivered to urban retailers, so that the  local community gets the benefit of fresh organic crops at an affordable price.

The project is also aimed as a zero carbon entity and run by energy produced in site. The power will be produced from a bio-gas plant and a rainwater harvesting system will also be installed. The accumulated water will be used for irrigation in summer time. The new farm will use sustainable irrigation techniques that require little or no electricity to pump and filter water used in the field. The immature plants and residue of crops will be used as organic compost and animal feed. The cattle waste will also be utilized as fertilizer.

The project draws from the traditional composition of courtyard dominated rural built forms surrounding a tree which generates life being a place for interaction. The built forms are responsive to tropical climate. Both waterbodies in the site are used for pisciculture. Materials used for structures are mud, bamboo woven screen walls reinforced with wooden poles, corrugated sheet and Ferro cement slabs.

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