Biyon - Pumpkins against Poverty
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Authors
Elizabeth Dunn
Issue Date
2015-08
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Agriculture
Alternative Title
Abstract
Biyon and his family live in the village of Chilmari in Bangladesh where they live in a large community of 2,000 households. The community lives on the banks of the Brahmaputra river, one of the largest in Bangladesh. Every year the banks where they live erode into the river and many lose their homes. In the past five years the banks have eroded by 2km. In just 3 days of heavy rain, the community watched helplessly as 100m was pulled into the river. The government has provided some sandbags to help slow down the rate of erosion but this does not protect the majority of the banks. Biyon is 55 years old, his wife, Chankbala cares for their home. They have one son who is twelve years old. The family live together in a small tin house close to the river. Biyon works as a labourer to support his family but this work is gruelling and unpredictable. He works long hours in fields, tending to crops and rice. Unfortunately for Biyon and his family, this work doesn’t last all year. They used to have their own land but due to the constant flooding, it was lost to the river meaning that they have no-where to grow their own food. Since the age of 12, Biyon has had to move 8 times due to his home simply being washed away. This is a common problem in this community, where families are forced to uproot their lives every few years. For this family, the last time they had to move was only 2 years ago. The fear of the flood is not the only problem that they face. Much of the work he is employed to do is processing crops after the harvest, while the crops are growing there are no crops to harvest, so there is no work. During this time, the people in his community have to compete for the little work that is available. This lack of income has a huge effect on Biyon and the rest of the community and families suffer. This period is widely known as the ‘lean period’ or ‘seasonal hunger’. Life is hard for the family, especially during the ‘lean period’. They explained “we sometimes starve.” Biyon told us that during these times “I don’t have work” and the family struggles to eat regular and nutritious meals, “normally we have 2 meals a day. Today we had rice and spinach.” Biyon knows that during the lean period he will not be able to fully support his family but he has no other choice. In his community “some people are ‘rich’ but most people are like me.” This means that the people in the community have to compete for the labouring jobs during this time, making it even more difficult to earn an income. The family understand that they do not eat enough and the food they consume is not always nutritious enough. “As we are Bangla, we feel healthy when we eat fish and rice.” Yesterday they were lucky to eat fish but they usually can’t afford such luxuries. Due to their lack of land, they have to buy vegetables from the market and if they don’t have the money then they go without. When they had their own land, they would grow jute, maize and onion which would mean they always had a source of food and could sell a small amount to earn an income, life was better then. The family often suffers from illness, just 3 days before Biyon had suffered from a fever and his wife Chankbala had diarrhoea. It’s not uncommon for them to feel unwell. The family lives in extreme poverty and it is not possible to afford medical care or more nutritious food. Their future is always uncertain, as Biyon says “yes we are always in fear. We may have to move again as we live just near the river.” When asked what one thing could have the power to change his life, he explained “pumpkins would help us. I have grown pumpkins when I had land.” “I don’t have any dreams or plans, I am at the end of my life. But if I get the chance to help my son then I will.” This project will help Biyon, his family and community. No longer will they have to go through the ‘lean period’ without food. Through using the sandbars to grow pumpkins, they will be able to grow enough to store through this time so that they will always have nutritious food. They will also be able to sell some of the crop to earn vital income. Pumpkins against Poverty