Abul Hasan struggled for years to sell the eggplant he grew from his small farm in the Bangladeshi village of Koyra. Insect damage forced him to throw out most of what he grew, and the remainder that he could bring to market was often riddled with pests.

“I used to sit at the market for hours, watching others sell their produce quickly while mine stayed on the table,” Hasan says. “I had no idea there was a better option until I heard about Bt eggplant from a neighboring village.”

Bt eggplant, or Bt brinjal as it is known in Bangladesh, exhibits natural resistance to the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) insect that destroyed his crop. For a farmer like Abul, Bt eggplant means he can grow his produce without spraying expensive pesticides multiple times per week to try and keep EFSB at bay.  

Hasan spoke with Zahid Bhai from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), who told him about the benefits of Bt brinjal. Hasan was skeptical at first but also hopeful, so he decided to plant seeds. 

“I started with just a small plot of land, unsure if it would pay off,” Hasan says. But the results were clear. The Bt brinjal plants grew strong and healthy, untouched by the pests that had always been a problem. Buoyed by this success, Hasan expanded his planting. “It was like night and day,” he says. “With Bt brinjal, I do not need pesticides, and people want it. They can tell it is better than the regular brinjal.”

Hasan’s success comes from the deep commitment he has to his farming. He and his wife Sabrina, do all the work themselves, making sure everything is done right. It has paid off. “Last year, we made almost four and a half lakh taka, and our costs were low,” Hasan shares. “The profit is good because we do not need to spend on pesticides or hire extra workers.”

But Bt brinjal has done more than just improve his own finances. His success has encouraged other farmers in his community to follow his lead. His advocacy for the crop earned him the nickname “Hasan Begun”, a local word that means eggplant in Bangla. 

“Now, more farmers in my village are growing Bt brinjal,” he says with pride. “It is really making a difference. Even those who were unsure at first are now seeing the results.”

Abul Hasan
Koyra Upazila, Khulna

Hasan is grateful for the backing he has received from BARI and Zahid Bhai. “Zahid Bhai has supported me from the very beginning, always providing seeds and guidance,” Hasan says. “Their support has not only increased my harvest but also inspired me to innovate and push the boundaries of what I thought was possible in farming.”

Hasan looks over his land and contemplates his incredible journey. “I have been able to build a new house, a kitchen, and even a cowshed with what I have earned,” he says with satisfaction.  “All of this is thanks to Bt brinjal.”

Looking ahead, Hasan says he is excited to keep growing Bt brinjal and wants to see more farmers give it a try. “It is not just about the money; it is about giving our communities safe, nutritious food,” he says. “Bt brinjal has changed my life, and I want others to experience the same.”