Chapainawabganj: Farming in polynet houses in the district, especially in Barind areas, has gained success during recent times. Polynet house is an innovation of agricultural science designed to address the challenge of climate change. It is a tent-like structure made with an iron frame and polythene to protect crops and seedlings from harmful weather conditions, allowing for year-round cultivation. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shamim Reza and Sadiqul Islam Tutul, two farmers from Bongpur under Gomastapur upazila, are experiencing success by cultivating vegetables and flowers using the polynet house method. They constructed their polynet houses six months ago. Shamim Reza has grown seedlings of various crops and cultivated cucumbers without pesticides, while Sadiqul Islam has focused on tomatoes and Chandra Mollika flowers. Shamim Reza highlighted the multiple benefits of the polynet house, noting that it protects crops from drought, rain, hailstorms, extreme cold, and other natural disturbance s. He emphasized that growing seedlings is more beneficial in a polynet house than traditional crop cultivation, as it prevents destruction from adverse weather conditions. Mizanur Rahman, a farmer from Lebudanga, purchased brinjal seedlings from Shamim Reza's polynet house, noting a 99 percent survival rate when planted in fields, compared to a 35 to 40 percent survival rate for other seedlings. Sadiqul Islam Tutul, the district's sole flower cultivator, explained that outdoor flower cultivation is risky due to potential losses from environmental factors. His polynet house allows him to safely grow Chandra Mollika and plan for future cultivation of Zarbera and Tulip. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office reported that polynet houses were constructed free of cost under a project titled "Agriculture Development Project for Rajshahi Division through Expansion of Modern Technology." These houses offer benefits such as shade nets reducing 60 percent of sunlight, insect nets, and modern drip and m ist irrigation systems. A total of six polynet houses have been constructed-two in Sadar, two in Shibganj, and two in Gomostapur upazilas. Gomostapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Tanvir Ahmed Sarker described the polynet house as ultramodern technology that mitigates the adverse impacts of climate change, protecting crops from climatic disadvantages and pest attacks, enabling safe, year-round cultivation of high-priced crops. Munjer Alam, a farmer and entrepreneur, began farming in a polynet house in Dakkhin Sahar, Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila, in 2021, funded by the same project. This year, he has cultivated tomatoes, BARI-12 brinjal, and prepared seedlings for winter vegetables.
