Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) member Md Rabiul Islam is turning discarded coconut husks into cocopeat in Monirampur, Jashore, producing an input for soil-free seedling cultivation while creating self-employment.
Rabiul, a member of No 15 Kultia Union, separates fibre from coconut husks and processes the remaining pith-like material in several stages to produce cocopeat, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party said in a press release.
Cocopeat, also known as cocodust, is used as a growing medium in modern agriculture. It can be used in pro-trays and other tray-based systems to raise seedlings of tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, capsicums, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, climbing vegetables and other crops.
Its lightweight structure and water-retention capacity support root development, while soil-free seedling production can reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases associated with conventional nurseries, according to the release.
Rabiul’s initiative makes use of different parts of coconut husks. Fibre can be processed into products such as rope, while the material left after fibre extraction is converted into cocopeat.
The process adds value to an agricultural by-product that might otherwise be discarded and demonstrates how locally available raw materials can be reused for agricultural production.
The venture also creates scope for local employment and entrepreneurship while promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable use of agricultural by-products.
Use of cocopeat in modern nurseries and seedling production is already increasing in Bangladesh, the release said. Rabiul’s initiative is creating new scope for its use in modern seedling production in Monirampur.
Officials from the district and upazila agricultural extension departments have visited the initiative and provided advice after it drew attention as an example of cocopeat production in Jashore.
The initiative could be expanded further with technical advice and support, according to the release.
As an Ansar-VDP member, Rabiul’s venture combines self-employment with the use of modern agricultural technology, environmentally friendly production and more effective use of local resources.
The initiative could also encourage rural entrepreneurship, wider adoption of modern farming technologies and more sustainable livelihoods, the release said.
