Growing Change Together: Mass Awareness on Organic Sack Farming in Brickfield Communities

On 12th and 13th March 2026, Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre (KMWSC) organised Mass Awareness Programmes on Organic Sack Farming among migrant brickfield communities at Basirhat and Kalyani. The initiative aimed to introduce sustainable and practical cultivation methods to families who often live and work in environments with little or no access to cultivable land.

The first programme was conducted at Banani Brickfield, Basirhat, with the participation of community members from Banashree, Kisna 2, Banani, SBM, Kisna, Bipasa, and Pratima brickfields. On the following day, a similar awareness session was held at Janta Brickfield, Kalyani, where beneficiaries from Janta, Tony, Jaiswal, and SBF brickfields actively took part.

The sessions highlighted the relevance of organic sack farming as a space-efficient and environmentally friendly method of cultivation. Participants learned how this approach allows families to grow vegetables in simple sacks using organic soil mixtures, making it particularly suitable for migrant communities living in temporary settlements. Discussions also emphasised the importance of reviving traditional eco-friendly farming practices, the health benefits of consuming chemical-free vegetables, and the economic potential of sack farming as a supplementary livelihood option.

The programmes were facilitated by the Project Coordinator of the Brickfield School Project and the Documentation Officer, who engaged participants through practical explanations and open discussions.

In total, around 200 members of the brickfield communities attended the programmes and participated enthusiastically. Their active engagement reflected a growing interest in adopting organic sack farming as a simple yet effective step towards better nutrition, sustainable living, and improved livelihoods.

“Small sacks, big possibilities – cultivating sustainability within brickfield communities.”

***