SaFaL, a project of Solidaridard Network Asia-Bangladesh has taken an initiative to link farmers with the super shops and exporters to boost their livelihood, officials of the organisation said at a roundtable.
'The interactive discussion on SaFaL (Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Linkages)', held at a city hotel on Wednesday evening, organised by the Solidaridard revealed that the project is developing platforms for sustainable markets though strengthening supply chains alongside value chains to benefit farmers.
SaFaL is organising 50,000 small- scale farm households, disadvantaged landless workers and women covering around 0.25 million people connected with aquaculture, horticulture and livestock supply chains, Country Manager, Solidaridard Network Asia- Bangladesh, Selim Reza Hasan said.
The farmers are being trained on environment- friendly aquaculture practice where shrimp, pangas and koi fish farming are focused, he said. The beneficiaries have been formed into 1,000 producer groups to strengthen their associations to learn and practice sustainable agricultural practices, he said.
Nico Roozen, Executive Director of Solidaridad Network International said his organisation is working for the farmers focusing on three key issues relating to food security---availability, affordability and accessibility of food.
"Enough food, purchasing power and easy accessibility are compulsory to ensure food security of the citizens," he said.
"Besides local traders, we are working to develop a direct linkage between Bangladeshi farmers and international buyers which could ensure profitable prices for farmers," he added.
The farmers will be provided with necessary modern equipment to get maximum production, he informed.
In partnership and in association with local and international agencies and private sectors, SaFaL will develop value chains alongside supply chains with retail markets between 2012 and 2016 period, he said.
