The government is contemplating the development of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal as the country's largest farming ground, sources said.
They said encouraging response has been received in the experimental farming activities, including raising almost all kinds of cattle and cultivating crops there.
There is enough land for cultivation. Moreover, the ground water of Bhasan Char is very suitable for farming and the shallow tube wells do not get dry.
Bhasan Char is an island which emerged around 20 years ago. A shelter project has been set up there at a cost of around Tk 3,000 crore for housing to one lakh Rohingyas (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals). Some 120 cyclone shelters were constructed under this shelter project. There is enough land for grazing thousands of cattlehead as the place is considered to be one of the largest cattle shelters in the country.
If the Rohingyas are reluctant to shift to Bhasan Char from camps, the local landless may be rehabilitated there, experts opine.
For the housing shelter project, 1,702 acres of land has been made secure with embankments, out of which 120 cluster houses suitable for one lakh people have been constructed on 432 acres of land. At least two lakh more people can be accommodated inside the embankments in the same way, sources said.
The length of Bhasan Char is about 7.5 km in the north-south and 6.5 km in the east-west. At present the land are of the island is about 30,000 acres, of which 6,428 acres are now usable. Bhasan Char is basically divided into two parts by a canal. Its small southern area is about 2,000 acres.
The char is currently under the control of the Bangladesh Navy, whose administrative authority is the Prime Minister's Office. It is being included as a ward of Char Ishwar union in Hatia upazila of Noakhali district. However, this island is located five kilometers west of Sandwip island in Chattogram and 20 kilometers east of Hatia island.
The Navy took an experimental initiative to raise cow, sheep, chicken, Turkish chicken, duck and pigeon in Bhasan Char which received a promising response.
During the on-the-spot visit of the island last week, various projects of the Navy were observed and only animals other than Turkish Chickens survived and yielded well.
The pilot farm now has about 300 sheep, 100 chicken of local species, 100 pigeons and 50 ducks. There are also Rabbits on the farm. The farm was started two years ago. The breeding process of the animals in the farm is normal and the reproduction is up to the mark, officials said.
The buffaloes were reared at Bhasan Char even before the commencement of this project. At present about 7,500 buffaloes are being reared there. Besides, when the island became safe due to housing projects and construction of embankments, cows were also being reared there. At present there are 550 cows.
Officials in the island are hopeful that the country's largest cattle breeding centre is likely to be built at Bhasan Char. If the island is not affected by natural disasters like tidal surge and cyclone, this project will play an important role in meeting the food demand of the country.
It has been seen that strong dams have been built around the residential shelters in Bahan Char. There are also a large area of mangrove forests. The dam was built based on the opinion of HR Wallingford, a British consultant who has conducted a survey on natural disasters of last 176 years. Considering the international standards, a dam extension project from 9 feet to 19 feet in height is underway.
Apart from raising cattle in the island, various crops, fruits and vegetables are being cultivated there experimentally. However, due to the salinity of the land, cultivation was difficult in the beginning, but the soil becomes suitable for cultivation as time goes by. In addition to paddy cultivation, bananas, papayas, coconuts, lemons, vegetables and even exotic dragon fruits have been cultivated in the island.
Officials say the southern part of the island, which is divided by canals, could be open for cattle and buffalo rearing. On the other hand, the main part of Bashan Char can be used for cultivation.
The benefits of using fairly sustainable technology in disaster management in Bhasan Char have been found. In the last one year, the tidal water could not enter the embankment.
There is a huge potential of farming and cultivation at Bhashan Char. The opportunity needs to be utilized as it can play a vital role in the overall development of the country.
