Agriculture Environment and Climate Change

The economy of Bangladesh is mostly dependent on agricultural. About 84 percent of the total population live in rural areas and are directly or indirectly engaged in a wide range of agriculture activities. Agriculture contributes about 32 percent to the country’s GDP. About 63 percent of the labor forces are employed in agriculture sector. In Bangladesh, agriculture contributes to reduce rural poverty and raises the living standard of common people. The world becoming warmer gradually and climate has been changing rapidly. The friction happens in climate naturally. Global warming is increasing rapidly through man-operated activities such as: production, transportation, marketing, fuel etc. Global warming is the main cause of natural disaster. Flood, draught and tornado are increasing day by day. These are creating negative impact on global economy. As a result, existences of all living beings are in great threat now. The main challenges in the coming days are to continue the development process by fighting and coping with these risks and threats. By considering above mentioned situation, SUS has been running sustainable agriculture and environment friendly programs. Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes as well as the treatment and proper disposal of sewage wastewater. Wastes that can cause health problems include human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic wastewater, industrial wastes and agricultural wastes. Hygienic means of prevention can be arranged by using engineering solutions (e.g. sewage and wastewater treatment), simple technologies (e.g. latrines, septic tanks) or even by personal hygiene practices (e.g. simple hand washing with soap). SUS has been implementing WATSAN project for enhancing governance for providing pro-poor (Poor friendly) safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation service with a view to assist to improve the public health management.The project PWaSH is very much related to Climate Change Program that are offering sustainable health benefits through building resilience of water, sanitation and hygiene promotion in hard-to-reach area (haor area).

Thematic Objective
To capacitate the community to utilize resources at optimum level; access into safe water and sanitation; prepare and respond to cope disaster and adapt climate change.

Program/project
Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP)
SUS has been implementing the project through Sabalamby Agriculture Farm (SAF) at Nerakona sadar upazila of Netrakona district with a view to disseminate appropriate and modern technologies on organic farming to the selected farmers. Now, 50 farmer families are involved with this project.

Alternative Livelihood Options (ALO)
Alternative Livelihood Options (ALO) is a project funded by Big Lottery Fund and implemented by Traidcraft Exchange (TX) and Development Wheel (DEW) with an overall objective to reduce poverty among poor and marginalized communities in Mymensingh, Sherpur and Netrakona districts by decreasing production cost, increasing income and employment opportunities and access to market. It will be implemented at Netrakona sadar upazila of netrakona district for 48 months from 15 May 2013 to 15 April 2017.

Promotion of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (PWaSH) in hard to reach area
SUS has launched the project in hoar areas i.e. Modon upazila of Netrakona district by the assistance of Water Aid, Bangladesh on September 2012 to strengthen adaptive capacity of the vulnerable communities and their institutions to secure safe and adequate water and sanitation and continuous improvement in hygiene behaviors to climate change impact through forming ward disaster management committees, mother groups and children groups. The number of beneficiaries under PWaSH project is: water-3235, sanitation-7300 and hygiene-16761.

Enhancing Governance and Capacity of Service Providers and Civil Society in Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project
SUS has initiated the project with the assistance of NGO Forum for Public Health on March 2013 which will be continued upto 2016 at Tetulia (Household: 4235) and Borotoli Banihari (Household: 4500) unions under Mohongonj upazila of Netrakona district for enhancing governance for providing pro-poor (Poor friendly) safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation service with a view to assist to improve the public health management through forming ward committees, union committees, hygiene session groups etc.

Emergency response
SUS takes initiative during and after disasters by considering ability, opportunity and limitations such as: Relief, rehabilitation, awareness raising and training. SUS provided emergency and rehabilitation services during the devastating flood of 1988, 2000, 2004, 2007, contributed to SIDR victims at Bagerhat area in 2007, extended flash flood support at Khaliazuri upazila of Netrakona district in 2010, cold wave response in Atpara, Modon, Kendua upazila of Netrakona district in 1998 and tornado of 2004, 2007 and 2014.