Regenerating Soil, Reclaiming the Future - A DIU-led Call for Sustainable Agriculture in Jashore
In the fertile fields of Jashore, a quiet but transformative revolution is taking root, one that begins not in policy chambers or corporate boardrooms, but in the soil beneath our feet.
Daffodil International University (DIU), in collaboration with Heifer International Bangladesh (HIB), has embarked on a mission to assess and rejuvenate the health of Bangladesh’s agricultural heartland. Through an important project titled “Exploring the Soil Health in Promoting Regenerative Agriculture in Jashore of Bangladesh,” this initiative is reshaping how farmers, researchers, and policymakers understand and interact with the earth.
Led by Professor Dr. M.A. Rahim of the Department of AGS and Co-Investigator Md. Fouad Hossain Sarker from the Department of Development Studies, the research unfolded across three key upazilas - Jashore Sadar, Jhikargachha, and Chaugachha between May and July 2025. The project wasn’t merely academic, it was deeply human. It sought to listen to the soil, observe the practices of local farmers, and reimagine agricultural sustainability through evidence-based, regenerative methods.
Findings from the Field: Hope beneath the Surface:
The study uncovered a powerful shift: farmers in Jashore are moving away from harmful monocultures and embracing regenerative practices such as organic input use, mulching, green manure, raised beds, and innovative floriculture structures like poly sheds especially for high-value crops like gerbera flowers. These techniques have significantly improved both soil health and water retention, resulting in higher yields and better crop quality. But the soil also whispered its warnings. Untested chemical fertilizer use, soil compaction from tractors, indiscriminate herbicide application, and lack of crop rotation continue to degrade this vital resource. These challenges revealed a gap not just in infrastructure or tools but in awareness, coordination, and access to expert guidance.
What stood out was the creativity and resilience of the farmers themselves. Many shared knowledge through peer networks, adopting sustainable practices even in the absence of formal support. One such inspiring story came from Shamol Biswas, a farmer from Jashore. After training with SRDI and Heifer, he began testing soil before fertilization, a simple shift that cut costs and boosted yields. Locals now call him the “Soil Doctor.”
This human-centered insight led to powerful recommendations:
- Establishing mandatory soil testing services at the union level
- Offering certification programs for fertiliser dealers
- Encouraging block-based cultivation
- Promoting peer-to-peer learning and performance-based farmer awards
- Integrating financial incentives and career training into the agricultural ecosystem
Beyond Research: Building a Movement:
The impact of the project extended far beyond its timeline. It culminated in a roundtable discussion on “Soil to Sustainability: Promoting Regenerative Agriculture” co-hosted by DIU, Heifer International Bangladesh, and The Business Standard on June 25 at the TBS conference room in Dhaka.
Government representatives, soil scientists, agri-entrepreneurs, and academics echoed the research findings. Begum Samia Sultana, Director General of the Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), highlighted SRDI’s vast dataset and mobile labs, urging better utilisation through digital and local facilitation. Other voices, including those from Grameen Euglena, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, and Jagorani Chakra Foundation, stressed the urgency of protecting Bangladesh’s shrinking arable land and restoring its nutrient base.
A key takeaway emerged from the roundtable: regenerative agriculture isn’t just a trend, it’s a necessity. As Saleem Ahmed of TBS eloquently concluded, “Soil is not just a medium for growing food, it is a living system that underpins our survival.”
DIU’s Role: Leading with Vision:
By driving this critical research and convening national dialogue, Daffodil International University reaffirmed its commitment to social and environmental sustainability, and food security. The project’s success not only strengthened DIU’s academic reputation but also positioned the university as a leader in regenerative agriculture in Bangladesh and beyond. It also established a roadmap for collaborative, cross-sectoral change towards uniting academia, government, NGOs, media, and farmers in a shared vision: to heal the soil, empower communities, and secure the future of agriculture.
Photos:
Daffodil International University, Heifer International Bangladesh and The Business Standard jointly organised a roundtable discussion on "Soil to sustainability: Promoting Regenerative Agriculture" at TBS conference room today (25 June). Photo: Mehedi Hasan.
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