<i>Overcoming monga </i>
Lac farming under RIB makes 800 families solvent in Nilphamari
Several hundred enthusiastic people, both male and female, assembled at Horimondir Para village of Laxmichhap union in Sadar upazila yesterday to share their experience of overcoming poverty.
They had done 'mass research' (or group discussion) to combat monga and found initiatives like lac cultivation to be effective, they said at a meeting on the premises of the Hori temple.
Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) supported by local oganisations 'Loksamaj Gabeshana Foundation' and 'Grameen Atwa Unnayan Sangstha' arranged the meeting. A three-day fair was also opened on the occasion.
There were 14 stalls including lac processing factory, Kazoli Model School, Kazoli Education Centre, BRI-33 paddy cultivation stall, drum seeder process at the fair.
Lac, a natural resin produced by insect Laccifer Lacca, a parasite of a particular host tree, is widely used in industry like food processing, leather, textile, pharmaceuticals and perfume.
The concept of 'mass research' bears significance as finding out the ways for better living through group discussion contributes to the development of the country as a whole, Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner of Khandokar Moklesur Rahman said in his speech as the chief guest.
Mass research, which sharpens our brain by removing the rust from it, is a new way to alleviate poverty, said Anisur Rahman, professor of economics of Dhaka University.
"Lac farming had been proved to be effective to combat monga. The less advantaged people should detect their own problems and take initiative for its solutioin. Mass research helps to grow such attitude," RIB Chairman Dr Shamsul Bari said.
Lac cultivation has helped over 800 families in the district to get rid of monga, lac cultivation researcher Motiur Rahman said at the meeting presided over by local union parishad Chairman Shyam Charan Roy.
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