Steps to increase income of farmers, create market linkage
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
A government initiative is underway to increase the income of farmers through strengthening marketing linkage between the rural and urban areas of two districts as well as diversifying their sources of income within four years, reports UNB.
Under the initiative, the government will soon undertake a project, titled 'Food Security through Enhanced Agriculture Production, Diversified Sources of Income, Value Addition and Marketing in Bangladesh (Mymensingh/Sherpur)'.
The main objective of the proposed project is to build a strong marketing network creating linkage between the urban and rural areas for disseminating information to the farmers about the market.
The project will cover the farmers of 48 villages in 12 upazilas of Mymensingh and Sherpur districts. Agriculture Ministry is the lead agency of the project while Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) is the implementing agency.
The other objectives of the project include diversifying the means of livelihood for the farmers through forming teams among the target groups, providing facilities of marketing, forming revolving fund for the team members and conducting economic activities through disbursing loans to eradicate poverty and ensuring food security.
Under the project activities, several sales points will be set up for the farmers to facilitate easy and hassle-free sale of their produce, said a source at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
On completion of the project, buyers from urban areas will be able to deal directly with the farmers.
The ERD official said the government plans to reduce the interference of middlemen in a bid to enable the farmers get reasonable prices for their produce.
Italy through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations will provide fund as grants to implement the project.
Of the total project cost of US$ 3.34 million, Italian Trus Fund will provide US$ 3.00 million through the FAO while US$ 0.34 million will come from the government. FAO will provide technical assistance for the project.
An agreement to this effect was signed by the government with Italy and FAO today (Monday) at the ERD conference room.
Under the initiative, the government will soon undertake a project, titled 'Food Security through Enhanced Agriculture Production, Diversified Sources of Income, Value Addition and Marketing in Bangladesh (Mymensingh/Sherpur)'.
The main objective of the proposed project is to build a strong marketing network creating linkage between the urban and rural areas for disseminating information to the farmers about the market.
The project will cover the farmers of 48 villages in 12 upazilas of Mymensingh and Sherpur districts. Agriculture Ministry is the lead agency of the project while Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) is the implementing agency.
The other objectives of the project include diversifying the means of livelihood for the farmers through forming teams among the target groups, providing facilities of marketing, forming revolving fund for the team members and conducting economic activities through disbursing loans to eradicate poverty and ensuring food security.
Under the project activities, several sales points will be set up for the farmers to facilitate easy and hassle-free sale of their produce, said a source at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
On completion of the project, buyers from urban areas will be able to deal directly with the farmers.
The ERD official said the government plans to reduce the interference of middlemen in a bid to enable the farmers get reasonable prices for their produce.
Italy through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations will provide fund as grants to implement the project.
Of the total project cost of US$ 3.34 million, Italian Trus Fund will provide US$ 3.00 million through the FAO while US$ 0.34 million will come from the government. FAO will provide technical assistance for the project.
An agreement to this effect was signed by the government with Italy and FAO today (Monday) at the ERD conference room.