Across the United Kingdom, the government has made room for small-scale farming to protect citizens' physical and mental health. The opportunity may not tempt many local people, but Bangladeshi expatriates do not want to miss it.

Bangladeshi expatriates are now active in farming the small plots allocated by the city council. Saidur Rahman, working with a residents' committee, has taken several plots, where various Bangladeshi crops are grown.

More than family nutrition, the plots meet a mental need. Saidur says the chance to stay involved in farming abroad gives him a great deal.

Shahida Chowdhury farms another plot here. The crops she grows with her own hands seem to keep her healthy.

Within this community farming project, there is also a place for raising seedlings. The city council's initiative aims to make residents' farming self-sufficient, the organiser explains.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.