A farmers' organisation in Atpara upazila of Netrokona district has built what it calls a crop hospital, where growers are given remedies for diseased crops. Its purpose is to advise farmers on controlling pests and disease by natural means rather than applying pesticide.

"When farmers come to our hospital with a sample of a diseased crop, we advise them which medicine is needed for which disease, and how to make and use it," Abdul Wadud Khan, one of those who runs it, told BBC Bangla. A few trained members of the farmers' association do the advising.

The initiative is about fifteen years old. The Baghra Haor Farmers' Association arrived at the idea around 2010-11 while discussing pest problems in the field. "We also talked to the elders then, the ones with a lot of farming experience," Mr Khan said. "Then we thought that if there are hospitals for people and for animals, there could be one for crops."

The aim was to encourage farmers to see that a crop can be kept free of disease, and kept safe to eat, without fertiliser or pesticide. Sayed Ahmed Khan Bacchu, another farmer involved, said the hospital advises which pesticide is appropriate when a crop is attacked and how to prepare it.

There is a pattern in who comes. The work is supported by a non-governmental organisation called Barcik, whose Netrokona regional coordinator Ohidur Rahman said vegetable growers come most often and receive both advice and practical help.

Paddy farmers come less, the organisers say, because they prefer to rely on pesticide. For many other crops, though, growers come regularly for advice.

The government extension service is aware of it. Md Amirul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Netrokona, said his office has heard of the crop hospital and has advised the organisers to make sure the guidance they give is authentic.

Source: BBC Bangla