Farmer desk:NOAKHALI DISTRICT, BANGLADESH Just a few years ago, Omar Ali Tunu was a smallholder rice grower in Noakhali Sadar who struggled to support his family of four. As the sole breadwinner, he faced relentless challenges, with poor crop yields, damaging diseases, and pest infestations leaving him disheartened.
Desperate to change his fate, Omar shifted from rice to vegetables. However, he soon realized that his vegetable farming techniques were insufficient to provide relief from diseases and pests, let alone produce generous yields.
In May 2022, Omar was selected as a key farmer under the Smart Farming, Healthy Food project. Supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the project was implemented by East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer (EWS-KT), Solidaridad, and the Bangladesh Department of Agricultural Extension. This opportunity marked the turning point in Omar’s farming journey.
Through EWS-KT’s hands-on training at his small demonstration plot under the project, Omar learned climate-smart techniques such as proper plant spacing, single-seedling transplanting, and raised bed preparation. Applying these methods, he saw a significant increase in his vegetable yields, inspiring both him and neighboring farmers to adopt these practices in their fields.
Encouraged by his growing expertise, Omar became a Community Farmer Facilitator with EWS-KT in September 2023. In this role, he began to share improved agricultural techniques with other farmers in his community through hands-on support and practical demonstrations.
To diversify his income, Omar also ventured into seedling production, supplying high-quality vegetable seedlings to local growers. Although he started small, his dedication to quality quickly garnered attention. In 2024, he earned approximately BDT 100,000 from seedling sales alone.
Today, Omar’s influence extends well beyond his fields. Over 300 farmers from his community and nearby areas regularly seek his advice on sustainable farming practices.
While guiding these farmers, Omar saw another business opportunity. He started working to identify quality agricultural inputs for his very own retail shop, which he opened in February 2025.
Omar’s journey from struggling smallholder to community leader demonstrates the transformative power of knowledge and determination—and highlights EWS-KT’s success in empowering farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, improve their livelihoods, and elevate their communities. “EWS-KT has not only improved my farming but also enabled me to uplift my community,” Omar said.-Source-East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer