November 2023
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November 30, 2023

UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls: Reshma’s Inspiring Journey

“At the age of 14, while studying in  grade eighth, I was forced to marry an unknown person. My dreams came to a halt. After the marriage, my days began with a brutal reality. My husband was addicted to drugs and gambling, and he forcefully physically assaulted me. Enduring this situation for four years, I finally returned to my mother,” shares Reshma, a 35-year-old woman living in the northern part of Bangladesh.

She expresses, “Everybody in my village treats me negatively because I divorced my husband, and they label me as a bad girl. In this society, aside from one’s father or husband, girls are not granted any other recognition.”

Like Reshma, the global situation concerning violence against women and girls is alarming. According to the report on “Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and nonpartner sexual violence” by the World Health Organization (WHO), the following areas have been identified.

Similar to the global context, the issue of violence against women and girls is prevalent in Bangladesh. In response, the government and various development entities are collaboratively working to address this concern. Notably, in 2020, with the support of the Bangladesh Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and DANIDA, initiated a six-year project named the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP). This project aims to enhance the income, food security, and nutrition of marginal and small-scale farmers, as well as micro-entrepreneurs, across selected value chains throughout the country.

Reshma’s journey commenced with meticulous planning and unwavering determination. Initially involved in agriculture and trained in vermicompost production by the Department of Youth Development, Reshma faced challenges in expanding her agricultural business and vermicompost production. Fortunately, in 2022, Reshma became a participant of RMTP through the implementing partner Gono Unnoyan Karma (GUK). This pivotal step allowed her to expand her vermicompost production using the latest technology. Moreover, the project played a crucial role in assisting Reshma to acquire an Earthworm-Vermicompost rolling separator machine. 

This initiative not only reduced labor costs but also maximized profits, contributing to the overall enhancement of her vermicompost plant.

Currently, Reshma produces approximately 30 tonnes of vermicompost monthly, selling it at a wholesale price of Tk 10 per kilogram from her residence and Tk 15 per kilogram on online platforms. Her farm includes 25 cows, 6 cows producing 35 kilograms of milk daily, sold at Tk 50 per kilogram. Additionally, she owns 15 goats, 120 ducks, and over 200 native chickens, along with various animals like pigeons and fish in the pond. Safe vegetables are cultivated on her two-acre of land. Reshma actively operates a Facebook page named “Reshma Krishi Udoog.”

Excluding all costs associated with Reshma’s farm, her annual net profit amounts to Tk 40 lakhs. Reshma currently possesses capital amounting to one crore two lakh taka. Her farm project has also provided employment to a total of 16 women. Additionally, after observing Reshma’s successful work, 20 individuals have become self-employed. Furthermore, in recognition of Reshma’s outstanding work, she has been awarded the ‘National Youth Award-2022’ by the Department of Youth Development, Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Under the RMTP project, 253,832 women actively participate in diverse agricultural activities, receiving grants and financial services to expand their businesses. The project’s annual survey highlights that 58% of women and 41% of youth benefit from economic empowerment, fostering family harmony through shared enterprise engagement.

Reshma’s inspiring journey, shaped by resilience and determination, epitomizes the transformative impact of investing in women and girls. The RMTP, a beacon of hope, not only stopped the violence but also promoted economic independence and community development. From vermicompost production to winning the ‘National Youth Award 2022,’ Reshma’s success underscores the tangible outcomes of such investments.

By Ehsanul Habib
Stories
September 25, 2023

High demands of Kaiyum’s Pro-Tray Nursery Seedling

Kaiyum, a 43-year-old farmer from Panchbibi sub-district in Joypurhat, traditionally reared livestock animals and earned 10,000 takas each month. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to sell his animals to meet his family’s financial needs. Subsequently, he leased 100 decimals of agricultural land to produce vegetables. Unfortunately, he found that there was a lack of quality vegetable seedlings in his area. To address this problem, he decided to produce high-quality seedlings himself and supply them to local farmers to increase their production.

Fortunately, the RMTP project introduced Kaiyum to the “Pro Tray Nursery Seedling” technique, which is part of the “Eco-friendly safe vegetable cultivation and marketing” sub-project. The project provided him with capacity building training, technical support, coco media, 250 reusable plastic trays, quality seeds, mulching papers, green netting, and other resources.

Kaiyum invested 40,000 takas of his own money into the venture. The project also assisted him in marketing his seedlings to farmers through various meetings. Within 25 days, Kaiyum sold 25,000 seedlings in the first round of production. He then purchased an additional 100 plastic trays to expand seedling production for the second round, during which he sold 32,000 seedlings.

He now produces various types of seedlings in his nursery, including green chilli, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage, cucumber, tomato, bottle gourd, pumpkin, capsicum, papaya, and bean. Currently, there are 97,500 seedlings in his nursery, and he is taking advance orders from farmers for their supply. 

He now earns 30,000 takas each month, and three women work in his farm and are also learning this modern technology. Kaiyum’s wife, Emroja, directly manages the nursery and has increased her efficiency in this regard. Due to the high demand for pro tray seedlings in his area, Kaiyum plans to expand his business and has set a target of producing 100,000 seedlings in each cycle.

One farmer, Md. Hasan Ali Bakul, said, “I have used Kaiyum’s nursery’s seedlings, which are of good quality and have increased my vegetable production.”

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
September 25, 2023

Nutrition Campaign to Empower and Educate Citizens

On September 7, 2023, the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP) organized a nutrition campaign in collaboration with the partner organization, Proyas Manobik Unnayan Society, in Chapainawabganj.

The campaign was designed to engage the community through a set of diverse activities, including live food demonstrations, a rally, Gombhira songs, drama, open discussions, and a quiz competition. Approximately 600 people, including students and youths, participated in the campaign.

RMTP’s nutrition campaign serves as a commendable initiative, not only empowering and educating citizens but also reinforcing the significance of a well-balanced diet, hygiene practices, and safe food handling methods in enhancing the overall well-being of the community.

Ms Mariel Zemarmeal, Programme Officer at IFAD Bangladesh; Dr Akond Md. Rafiqul Islam, Project Coordinator of RMTP, PKSF; Ms Farhana Urmee, Communications Advisor of IFAD Bangladesh; the Executive Director of PROYAS; officers from the district civil surgeon’s office; officers from the district food safety authority; and PMU officials of RMTP also attended the event.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
September 21, 2023

Associate Vice President of IFAD expressed his satisfaction over the activities of RMTP

On August 22, 2023, Dr. Donald Brown, the Associate Vice President of IFAD, visited the activities of RMTP at PKSF’s PO ESDOs field in the Thakurgaon district. During his visit, he visited several activities of the project such as transformation of milk into cheese, the processing of grass into silage, and the production and marketing of safe vegetables. Dr. Brown expressed his admiration for the remarkable progress achieved by the project. Accompanying him on this visit were Mr. Md. Fazlul Kader, Additional Managing Director of PKSF, Dr. Arnoud Hameleers, Country Director of IFAD Bangladesh Office, Dr. Akand Md. Rafiqul Islam, Senior General Manager of PKSF, and Dr. Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, Executive Director of ESDO.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
September 21, 2023

Farm mechanization & modernization technology introduced at field level

RMTP is promoting the adoption of farm mechanization and modernization technologies for livestock, poultry, horticulture, and fisheries producers. Through strategic partnerships with leading private sector entities like BRAC, Trade Global Limited, ACI, NARISH, Kazi and Kazi, and Aftab, the project ensures convenient access to technical and technological support at the farmers’ doorsteps. This initiative aims to enhance productivity and efficiency while minimizing costs for farmers, reflecting RMTP’s commitment to leverage private sector expertise for agricultural advancement.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
September 21, 2023

RMTP implements GGAP and HACCP protocols to ensure food safety

The Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP) has introduced Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocols in the agricultural production and agro-processing sectors. The project has conducted three Training of Trainers (ToT) courses for university teachers, LSPs, selected government officials, and lead farmers. With the successful completion of these courses, expert trainers are now providing comprehensive training to project participants. So far, 11,416 farmers have benefited from this initiative, highlighting RMTP’s unwavering commitment to improving food safety standards at the farmer level.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
May 25, 2023

IFAD Implementation Support Mission evaluated RMTP as satisfactory

An Implementation Support Mission (ISM) of IFAD expressed its satisfaction over the progress of the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP). The ISM was conducted from 7 May to 18 May 2023.

The kick-off meeting of the mission was held on 8 May 2023, chaired by Dr Akand Md Rafiqul Islam, Senior General Manager of PKSF and Project Coordinator of the RMTP project. During the meeting, the PMU of the RMTP gave a detailed presentation on the project. Additionally, the ISM team visited various value chain and microenterprise activities in Barishal and Patuakhali districts from 9 to 11 May 2023. They thoroughly reviewed the progress of different value chain interventions and assessed cross-cutting activities including gender, environmental sustainability, nutrition, and the overall sustainability of the value chain interventions under the project.

The ISM team expressed satisfaction over the field interventions and the utilization of various technologies in the value chain interventions. The team also provided the necessary recommendations.

The wrap-up meeting of the mission was held on 18 May 2023 at PKSF Bhaban, chaired by Md Fazlul Kader, Additional Managing Director of PKSF. PKSF’s Senior GM and PC of RMTP Dr Akand Md Rafiqul Islam and IFAD’s Country Director for Bangladesh Dr Arnoud Hameleers, and other officials from IFAD and RMTP also attended the meeting.

Mission Leader Dewan A H Alamgir shared the findings and recommendations of the mission. He highly lauded the successful interventions of the project including semi-intensive fish culture, the use of IoT in fish farming, black soldier fly for alternative fish feed, vermicompost production, and the development of different processed products in the dairy, meat, and fish sectors. Moreover, the mission emphasized the importance of proper documentation of the project’s successes and the timely implementation of all cross-cutting issues.

Md Fazlul Kader, AMD of PKSF congratulated the PMU for the overall achievements of the RMTP project and emphasized the documentation of the best practices of the project.

By Ehsanul Habib
Stories
May 7, 2023

Married at 14, then divorced; Reshma earns BDT 40 lakh a year

Suraiya Farhana Reshma of Shajahanpur in Bogura district got married at the age of 14. She was eighth grader back then. Her marriage was not a happy one. Her husband was a drug addict and gambler. After living with him for four years, Reshma returned to her mother and started agricultural ventures on land inherited from her mother and grandmother. Upon completing a training in 2014, she started dealing in vermicompost. She said, “I couldn’t maintain records of my transactions. The officials of the Department of Youth Development and GUK (a local NGO) taught me how to keep books.”

Currently, there are 200 concrete rings used for processing earthworms, a key ingredient of vermicompost, at her farm. There are another 200 fruit baskets she uses for this. In addition, she received a fresh grant from the RMTP (Rural Microenterprise Transformation) project funded by PKSF and IFAD for purchasing necessary machines and started making trico-compost.

Currently, she is producing about 30 tonnes of vermicompost every month. This fertilizer is sold wholesale at BDT 10 per kg from home and at BDT 15 per kg online via her facebook page named Reshma Krishi Udyog. There are 25 cows in her farm. Six cows give 35 kg of milk per day. She sells milk at BDT 50 per kg. There are 15 goats, 120 ducks, and more than 200 native chickens, pigeons in her farm where she also farms fish and cultivates paddy and safe vegetables. The total amount of her land including the house is six bighas (about 2 acres).

Reshma net profit per annum stands at around BDT 40 lakhs, excluding all expenses. Her current capital is over BDT 1 crore. Reshma has provided employment to 16 women at her farm. She has inspired about two dozen women around to become entrepreneurs, creating self-employment opportunities. Reshma received the ‘National Youth Award-2022’ from the Department of Youth Development, Ministry of Youth and Sports in recognition of her achievements.

By Ehsanul Habib
Stories
March 21, 2023

Technology empowers women in Bangladesh

In the northernmost part of Bangladesh, on the foothills of the Himalayas, a group of women in brightly-coloured headscarves walk along rows of equally vibrant tulips.

Supported by IFAD’s Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project, and co-financed by Danida, and PKSF, these women are part of a group of farmers who were provided with tulip bulbs and training on how to grow the flowers then market them online. After grading, cutting and packaging the flowers, they are sent to Dhaka for sale. In less than a year, the farmers have made close to 1 million BDT (just over US$ 9,000).

As the tulips bloomed, so did the local economy. Having spotted the tulip fields on social media, tourists began flocking to the picturesque place, generating business for local restaurants and accommodation.

 

Both the entrance fee to the tulip garden and flower orders can be paid using mobile money transfer and mobile banking, with many customers placing orders on WhatsApp and Messenger.

As her phone pings with a new order, flower grower Shumi Akter tells us how “the marketing and cashless money transfer system have boosted our confidence.”

But today’s success did not come easy—it required sacrifice and determination. “Many of our neighbours criticized us for cultivating tulips,” says flower farmer Sajeda Begum. The women’s success is shifting attitudes around gender norms and inspiring others to invest in this profitable venture. “Now, they are turning to us for advice on how to grow tulips.”

https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/from-tulips-to-tomatoes-technology-empowers-women-in-asia?p_l_back_url=%2Fen%2Fweb%2Flatest%2Fstories

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
February 22, 2023

ToT on Global GAP-Poultry Standard organized

A three-day long training titled on Global GAP-Poultry Standard was recently organized at Dhaka for Veterinary Practitioners. This is the first-ever initiative in Bangladesh under Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP), supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), and the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), to ensure safe meat and egg for the consumers.

PKSF and Biotech Masroom organized the program which was held from February 12th to 14th. Attending the event were 25 participants led by trainers Dr. Md. Arif Mahmud, Basetchana Francina Thabane and Dr. Susita. They discussed topics such as broiler chicken rearing, safe poultry farm construction, safe feed and water management, and food safety.

At the closing ceremony, Dr. Akand Md. Rafiqul Islam, Senior General Manager of PKSF and Project Coordinator of the RMTP Project, expressed the importance of providing training on good agricultural practices in Bangladesh to ensure safe food. According to him, it is only when food is safe that a nation can be strong and well-nourished.

Trainer Mahmud echoed his sentiments, adding that through this kind of training, the country’s farmers can be encouraged to produce safe poultry products and raise chickens even at a marginal level with proper guidance and education on good agricultural practices.

By Ehsanul Habib