Integrated Gher Farming System

Traditional Gher farming is practiced in some coastal regions and presents an alternative system that produces a staple food crop (such as rice and fish) in conjunction with a high value cash crop (such as prawns) with the aim of providing social, economic, and environmental benefits to the local community. Often, areas primarily focused on fish production are low in farming diversity. Instead of cultivating a single crop, Gher farming systems could change cropping patterns and include a wide range of products, like prawn, carp fish, boro paddy, and other vegetables into the local diet. Communities' diets could be diversified by adding an elevated platform on which to grow vegetables and other crops even during the monsoon season. An integrated Gher-focused program could include a school meal system that connects students with farmers around diversified fish production methods. This integrated program could train farmers around Gher production, connect a fish-to-meal network for school meals, engage with local women in the preparation of the school meals, and enable teachers to facilitate the knowledge exchange on nutrition and farming between students and farmers.