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Stories
April 30, 2025

Jharna’s farm: A unique example of cleaner production

Jharna Akter (46), a dedicated entrepreneur from Kabutar Khola village in Srinagar, Munshiganj district, has proven that even the toughest obstacles can be overcome with the right approach and technology. Despite her long experience in cattle rearing, she faced severe social discontent and harsh reality due to poor waste (cow dung) management on her farm. With support from PKSF’s Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project, Jharna has transformed her farm into a clean, profitable, and socially acceptable model.

Today, Jharna’s farm houses 12 cows, producing about 60 liters of milk daily, which serves as the main source of income for her family. Previously, she used to store cow dung beside the farm, causing the pond next to it to overflow into neighboring paddy fields. Located by the roadside, her farm’s waste created unbearable stench and environmental pollution. Eventually, complaints from neighbors and an order from the local union council chairman forced Jharna to consider shutting down her farm.

In this critical situation, a new opportunity emerged when she connected with the officials of the SMART project, implemented in the field by Resource Integration Center (RIC), a PKSF Partner Organization. Through them, she learned about the project’s Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices and how efficient resource use and improved waste management could make her farm sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Beginning of a new chapter: After joining the SMART project, the sub-project officials facilitated a solution by arranging for Md Mobarak Hossain, a local organic fertilizer producer, to purchase the dung from Jharna’s farm. Jharna shared, “The dung that almost forced me to shut down my farm is now being sold for money — something I never imagined. I learned from the project officials that Mobarak Hossain produces organic fertilizer commercially and sells it both locally and nationally.”

Inspired by this new income opportunity, Jharna decided to venture into organic fertilizer production herself. She took a loan of BDT four lakh from the Partner Organization under the SMART project. With project support, she established a biogas plant, a waste pit, and a vermicompost unit on her farm. She now uses biogas for cooking, and waste management is no longer an issue.

Additionally, she installed transparent sheets on the roof to reduce electricity costs, introduced net ventilation to improve indoor air quality, and fitted nozzles and foggers to ensure moderate water usage. These measures have significantly reduced the wastage of electricity, water, and fodder, while lowering environmental pollution. Consequently, her farm has maintained business growth while preserving environmental sustainability.

Taste of success: These interventions have not only reduced operational costs but also significantly boosted Jharna’s income. With further support from the SMART project, the health of her livestock has improved through regular balanced feeding, timely vaccinations, and deworming.

Seeing her success, other farmers in the area are now eager to adopt RECP practices, reinforcing the potential for a cleaner, more sustainable agricultural sector. Jharna proudly says, “The dung that almost closed my farm is now my source of income!”

Jharna Akter’s journey is more than just the transformation of a farm — it stands as a testament to how the right support and awareness can turn challenges into opportunities. Today, her farm shines as a model of clean and sustainable production.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
Stories
January 29, 2025

Enhancing water use efficiency in poultry production

|| Md Jafar Eqbal, Senior Program Manager (Livestock), SMART project, PKSF||

In 2024, the global chicken population exceeded 34 billion, surpassing the human population of approximately 8 billion by over four times. Bangladesh ranks 13th among the world’s top poultry producers, with 312 million chickens, as per World Stat 2024. This immense poultry production places significant pressure on natural resources, such as water, energy, and materials, and brings forth environmental challenges like waste, wastewater, and air pollution.

The SMART project, implemented by PKSF, focuses on improving environmental sustainability within Bangladesh’s microenterprise sector, with poultry identified as a priority subsector. Among the six targeted environmental indicators under the SMART project, water use and wastewater management are key areas of intervention. Enhancing water use efficiency in poultry production is critical for the welfare and productivity of birds and ensuring the sustainability of poultry microenterprises.

Strategies to improve water efficiency

Optimized Cleaning Practices

  • Scrape yards to remove dirt before washing.
  • Use high-pressure washing systems to reduce water use.
  • Separate wastewater collection, storage, and application systems.
  • Introduce recycling systems to reuse water.

Efficient Drinking Water Management

  • Conduct regular maintenance of water systems.
  • Use appropriately dimensioned drinker installations.
  • Install suitable nozzles and valves.
  • Optimize feed formulation to reduce water intake and nutrient excretion.
  • Incorporate nutritional technologies like amino acids and enzymes to improve animal performance.

Water quality and disease prevention

Ensuring clean drinking water is critical for poultry health. Contaminated water can transmit diseases such as Salmonella and E. coli, resulting in significant economic losses and potential public health concerns. Regular water quality checks and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent disease outbreaks and maintain flock health.

In poultry production, a single contaminated water source can affect thousands of birds, emphasizing the need for robust water management practices. Farmers can prevent diseases and reduce costs by ensuring water quality, ultimately increasing profitability and sustainability.

The role of SMART project

The SMART project continues to promote innovative practices such as automatic drinking systems and optimized cleaning techniques to enhance water use efficiency in the poultry sector. By integrating sustainable water management practices, the initiative contributes to the resilience and growth of Bangladesh’s poultry microenterprises, ensuring environmental and economic benefits.

Through innovative practices and proper water management, poultry farmers can significantly improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts while ensuring sustainable and profitable operations.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
Stories
November 3, 2024

How Shared Facilities Act as Catalyst for Sustainable Growth in Microenterprises

In the dynamic landscape of Bangladesh’s economy, microenterprises play a crucial role. Despite their potential, these small-scale enterprises often face significant barriers in accessing advanced technologies and sustainable practices. Shared facilities in Common Service centers, however, present an innovative solution to this challenge, enabling effective transfer of appropriate technologies and fostering sustainable development.

Addressing technology-access barriers

One of the primary obstacles microenterprises encounter is the lack of access to modern machineries and advanced technologies due to financial constraints. Shared facilities alleviate this issue by providing common access to high-cost equipment and technologies that individual micro-entrepreneurs might not afford independently. For instance, in the Bhairab shoe manufacturing cluster, a Footwear Common Service Center established under the Sustainable Enterprise Project (SEP) helped MEs to access high-cost technologies like Shoe Master software, Laser Cutting, Beam Cutting, Pearl Setting machines. Additionally, recycling units established under the under the Common Service facility enabled local businesses to recycle about 700 tonnes of footwear waste annually, transforming waste management practices and promoting sustainability.

Enhancing technical capacities and overcoming knowledge barriers

Shared facilities do more than just providing access to equipment; they serve as hubs for technical training and capacity building. By offering training on Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices, these facilities help micro-entrepreneurs adopt environment-friendly methods. In Bhairab, training programs conducted in the Footwear Common Service Center of POPI has educated workers on modern technologies and health hazards associated with their activities and the importance of using protective equipment, significantly improving workplace safety and productivity. It also provides centralized access to market information, networking opportunities, and ongoing support, bridging gaps between market accessibility and knowledge. The regular meetings and workshops held at these facilities ensure that micro-entrepreneurs stay updated on market trends, technological advancements, and best practices, empowering them to make informed decisions and enhance their competitive edge.

The footwear common service center provides state of the art technology support for the microenterprises of Bhairab
Micro-entrepreneurs can have computerized and customed design from the common service center at an affordable cost

Fostering innovation and collaboration

Shared facilities encourage collaboration among micro-entrepreneurs, leading to the exchange of ideas and fostering innovation. When multiple businesses operate within the same space, they can share experiences, solve problems collectively, and develop innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs. This collaborative environment is essential for the continuous improvement of products and processes, driving the overall growth of the microenterprise sector.

Economies of scale and market access

By centralizing resources, shared facilities help microenterprises achieve economies of scale. This collective approach reduces the per-unit cost of production and increases efficiency, making it easier for small businesses to compete in larger markets. Additionally, shared facilities can help micro-entrepreneurs obtain necessary certifications and meet quality standards required by formal buyers, thereby expanding their market reach both nationally and internationally.

Environmental and economic sustainability

The adoption of shared facilities also aligns with the principles of a circular economy, promoting both environmental and economic sustainability. For example, recycling units in Bhairab not only manage waste efficiently but also create new revenue streams through the production of recycled products. This dual benefit of environmental conservation and economic gain underscores the importance of shared facilities in fostering sustainable development.

Shared facilities play a pivotal role in transferring appropriate technologies among microenterprises in Bangladesh. By providing access to advanced machinery, fostering technical skills, encouraging collaboration, and supporting sustainable practices, these facilities enable small businesses to overcome significant barriers and thrive in a competitive market. The success seen in clusters like Bhairab’s shoe-manufacturing sector illustrates the transformative potential of shared facilities, highlighting their importance in driving sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship. As Bangladesh continues to develop its microenterprise sector, expanding and enhancing shared facilities will be crucial to ensuring long-term sustainability and prosperity.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)