In Bangladesh, ‘Floating Farms’ Overcome Monsoon Rains

DHAKA, Nov. 22 (NsNewsWire) — During the monsoon rains in northwest Bangladesh, swollen rivers can flood villages for months at a time. For the rural poor who rely on agriculture, there is no way to make money. But now some people are building small floating farms, where they grow vegetables and raise animals, right on top of the floodwaters.

Dozens of ducks quack as Hafiza Khatun gathers eggs in an unusual coop that floats on water, reports VoA,.

It sits on top of a bamboo platform and empty oil drums and is moored to a riverbank near the village of Charbhangura. On this “floating farm”, women villagers also raise fish and vegetables. Beyond the farm, boats chug along the river.

Before tending the floating farm, Khatun, 25, could not earn money. She has two small children and no education. Her husband makes money doing piecemeal agricultural work. But his livelihood is wiped out during the monsoon rains from July to October, when waters in the Gurmani river rise at least three meters.

For story details:http://www.voanews.com/content/in-bangladesh-floating-farms-overcome-monsoon-rains/2529049.html