2019 Benefitting Society Finalist: Daffodil International University

Daffodil Eco-friendly Agro Support Centre, Bangladesh

Vehicle exhaust is a major source of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) and the main emission sources of air pollution in metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Daffodil Eco-friendly Agro Support Centre was established to target clean environment, conservation of nature, biodiversity, research, extension and development of different kinds of fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants by using inexpensive sandy fallow land. To support the efforts for a cleaner environment, most of the fruit plants are broad leaved and evergreen which sink more CO2 and release more O2 for a consequently cleaner and healthier environment. Moreover, it also produces safe fruits and vegetables giving rise to the availability of nutritionally rich high value crops for fulfilling the nutritional food deficiency (hidden hunger) of poor and ultra-poor people. The centre also serves as a germplasm facility for education, research and training. The current activities include fruit saplings production and distribution, germplasm collection and conservation, and technical service to farmers.

Top 3 learnings:

1. Initially we faced some problems like frequent irrigation/watering. Pest control by organic method works slowly.
2. Labour cost exceeds our budget due to high labour wages/day.
3. Due to organic farming we got unexpected yield in sandy land

What is means to win

“Winning the International Green Gown Award would be a recognition of our efforts towards creating an eco-friendly environment. The Award will help promote and network with the key players and stakeholders in this field”

Professor Yousuf Mahbubul Islam
Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University