“Harvesting Hope”
On 19 March 2018, I was in Bogura, Bangladesh, photographing the lives and work of people in the countryside. That morning, I had photographed the chilli fields, where women workers were carefully separating the good chillies from the damaged ones. The fields were covered with thousands of bright red chillies, creating an extraordinary landscape.
Later that afternoon, as I was leaving, I noticed a woman working among the chillies. There were three fields beside each other, and only a few people of the fields were still there. I had already packed my camera into my bag and was preparing to leave when suddenly something caught my eye.
The sunlight and the shadows of the trees were falling beautifully across the sea of red chillies. In the middle of it, I saw an elderly woman working quietly. I took my camera out again. I walked towards her, spoke with her for a little while, and then, almost spontaneously, I captured this moment.
“Harvesting Hope” by Kazi Md Jahirul Islam | Winner of the CA4SH International Year of the Woman Farmer Photo Competition
Really! Really! Her smile is something I still remember today.
Even after all these years, I can still see that smile in my mind. That moment made me think about life itself. Sometimes our lives are filled with difficulties, responsibilities and uncertainty. Yet, like this woman, we continue to work, continue to smile and continue to hope. Behind the hard work of every farmer is the hope of earning an income, supporting a family and building a better tomorrow.
For me, that is what “Harvesting Hope” represents. The woman in the photograph is surrounded by thousands of chillies, but I see more than a harvest. I see strength, dignity, resilience and hope.
Women like her contribute enormously to rural life and agriculture, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. Their work helps sustain families and communities and gives them the opportunity to dream of a better future.
“Nurturing Soil, Growing Tomorrow” & “ The Golden Hands of Harvest”, Kazi Md Jahirul Islam’s submissions to the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health International Year of the Woman Farmer Photo Competition
I believe photography is not simply about capturing beautiful images. It is about capturing human stories and emotions—moments that might otherwise disappear unnoticed.
When I pressed the shutter that afternoon, I did not know where this photograph would eventually take me. Years later, having “Harvesting Hope” selected as the winner of the International Year of the Woman Farmer Photo Competition is deeply meaningful to me.
I hope this photograph can help people see not only the beauty of a harvest, but also the people behind it—their work, their struggles, their smiles and, above all, their hope.
Because sometimes, hope is found in the simplest things: a day’s work, a harvest, a smile, and the courage to begin again.
About the Photographer
Kazi Md Jahirul Islam was born on 1 January 1992 in Noakhali, Bangladesh.Jahirul currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal, where he works while continuing his passion for photography.
From an early age, Jahirul was fascinated by photography, which gradually grew from a hobby into a passion. His work focuses on the lives of ordinary people, particularly those whose stories often remain unseen. Through his photography, he seeks to capture raw emotions, human experiences, dreams and struggles, finding extraordinary stories within everyday life.
His photographs have received recognition in numerous national and international photography competitions. He has participated in more than 60 exhibitions in Bangladesh and internationally, including in Spain, Germany, Grace, Turkey, Japan, China and India, and has received more than 100 awards and recognitions.
His achievements include the 1st Prize at The FESTAS 2026 – Climate Extremes International Photo Contest in Italy, the 2nd Prize in the China–Bangladesh International Photo Contest, the Doha Youth Photography Award from Qatar, and being selected as one of the winners of the European Union in Bangladesh Photography Contest. His work has also received recognition from the Government of Bangladesh and has been published in national and international newspapers, magazines, and publications.
