June 2024
Home 2024
News & Events
June 6, 2024

Pearl Harvesting in Pabna

“Pearl cultivation offers significantly higher profitability compared to traditional fish farming. In ponds of the same size, the profit margin from pearl farming is three times that of fish cultivation,” remarked Dr. Akond Md. Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF, during a pearl harvesting ceremony in Pabna.

He made these remarks while attending the pearl harvesting ceremony took place on June 1, 2024, in Pabna, featuring pearls harvested from locally cultivated oysters. The event was attended by Md Abul Kalam Azad, District Fisheries Officer; and Md Shafiqul Alam, Executive Director of the Programme for Community Development (PCD).

The project currently involves 33 farmers in the Pabna district, who have collectively cultivated pearls valued at an impressive BDT 8,250,000. RMTP, implemented by PCD, focuses on the marketing of safe fish and fish products, but the inclusion of pearl farming signifies a strategic expansion into high-value aquaculture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AlnrZ9-TAk

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
May 12, 2024

IFAD Vice President praises RMTP interventions

Gerardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), visited Thakurgaon in northern Bangladesh on 1 May 2024 to observe the interventions of the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP), implemented by PKSF. Its Partner Organization (PO) Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) carries out the field-level activities of the project in Thakurgaon.

She was accompanied by PKSF’s Deputy Managing Director Dr Akond Md Rafiqul Islam, IFAD’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Reehana Rifat Raza, IFAD’s Country Director for Bangladesh Arnoud Hameleers, Stephanie Micallef who works as Senior Adviser to IFAD’s Vice-President, and officials from IFAD Bangladesh’s country office and PKSF.

During the visit, Mukeshimana explored various initiatives under RMTP, including eco-friendly safe vegetable cultivation, meat and dairy activities, telemedicine services for livestock, silage production and marketing, microenterprise borrower group, seedling nurseries, and vegetable collection center operations. She also talked to the beneficiaries including small-scale farmers, producers, and agribusinesses owners.

“I have seen how IFAD, the Government of Bangladesh and PKSF have worked together to empower small-scale farmers – especially women and youth – to adapt to climate change, increase their incomes, and produce more nutritious food for their communities,” said Gerardine Mukeshimana.

Reflecting on the collaborative efforts between IFAD and Bangladesh, IFAD’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Reehana Rifat Raza highlighted the initiatives taken through RMTP to improve rural livelihoods. She underscored the crucial role played by IFAD, DANIDA, and PKSF in providing essential resources such as finance, inputs, training, and market linkages to communities served by RMTP, thereby fostering sustainable development and resilience in the rural areas of Bangladesh.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
April 2, 2024

Financial institutions division official conducts field visit

To oversee the progress of project implementation, Muhammad Amin Sharif, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, visited Chittagong on April 14, 2023, to assess the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project activities. These activities are being implemented by the partner organization YPSA. Mr Sharif expressed his satisfaction with the initiatives, particularly highlighting the commendable efforts in safe cattle rearing and the production of processed milk products such as ghee, curd, buttermilk, and sweets.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
April 2, 2024

3400 tonnes of vermicompost produced a month under RMTP

The Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP) is currently helping entrepreneurs produce 3,400 tonnes of vermicompost throughout the country, valued at around BDT 34 million, every month. These initiatives not only help farmers contribute to the greater development of the country but also promote environmental conservation by producing and distributing biofertilizers.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
April 2, 2024

Vegetable Export to UK, UAE

Five Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP)-supported farmers are exporting safe vegetables to the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. SDC, a PO of PKSF, are looking after them in the field. The farmers achieved a 25% price increase per kilogram in their export items including high-quality brinjals and beans. These vegetables are recognized for their adherence to safety standards, enhancing the farmers’ economic growth and establishing a positive reputation of Bangladesh in international markets.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
April 2, 2024

Farmers in hills get support for farming high-value fruits

With the active assistance of the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project, YPSA, a Partner Organization of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), works to support local farmers in Sitakunda and Mirsharai upazilas of the hill district of Chattogram to cultivate high-value fruits and crops in hilly soils under the RMTP.  As part of this initiative, 50 farmers have received 5,000 coffee seedlings and another 50 farmers have been provided with 1,200 cashew nut seedlings. These previously import-oriented crops are now fostering new aspirations among the local farming communities. The cashew nut trees are currently in bloom, raising hopes among farmers for a profitable yield.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
April 1, 2024

Establishing vaccine hubs in the grassroots

The livestock sector continues to face significant challenges, with high mortality and morbidity rates among cattle being particularly concerning. To address this issue, RMTP has established 175 vaccine hubs across 36 upazilas in 12 districts. This initiative aims to provide regular, high-quality vaccination services to approximately 650,000 livestock, including cows, buffaloes, goats, and sheep, benefiting 200,000 farmers annually. Furthermore, efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy include training around 2,000 skilled vaccinators and educating 200,000 farmers through comprehensive training programs.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
April 1, 2024

Diversified milk products to fulfil demands of consumers

Bangladesh’s dairy industry is meeting the growing demand for milk products by diversifying products. To meet an ever-increasing demand and reduce import dependency, RMTP has introduced various initiatives to produce a wide range of high-quality milk-based products. These include sweets, curd, ghee, cheese, butter, and buttermilk. These products are now easily accessible online and offline, offering better customer experiences. For details, please click on the link https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/industry/mozzarella-cheese-women-thakurgaon-who-work-wonders-805490

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
March 31, 2024

Managing Director of PKSF Inaugurates ‘Chuadanga Meat’ Enterprise of RMTP

Dr Nomita Halder ndc, Managing Director of PKSF, inaugurated ‘Chuadanga Meat Center’ established by WAVE Foundation, a Partner Organization PKSF, in Alamdanga Upazila of Chuadanga district under RMTP on 6 February 2024. Dr Halder conveyed her sincere appreciation to all for initiating this innovative endeavour. The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Dr Mostafizur Rahman, Upazila Livestock Officer, and Mohsin Ali, Executive Director of Wave Foundation.

In acknowledgment of the entrepreneurial risk inherent in this initiative, Dr. Halder extended a warm welcome to Mr. Jillur Rahman. She expressed her optimistic anticipation for the widespread acceptance of ‘Chuadanga Meat’ among the general populace. The inaugural ceremony was also graced by the presence of Dr. Mostafizur Rahman, Upazila Livestock Officer, and Mr. Mohsin Ali, Executive Director of Wave Foundation. This significant event marks a pivotal milestone in the collaborative efforts aimed at fostering sustainable economic development and promoting the welfare of communities within the region.

By Ehsanul Habib
News & Events
March 31, 2024

PKSF Chairman visits field activities in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon

PKSF Chairman Dr M. Khairul Hossain visited various programs being implemented through ESDO, a Partner Organization (PO) of PKSF in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon districts from 12-14 February 2024.

At the beginning of the tour, he visited the tulip cultivation program in Tetulia. There he exchanged views with the farmers. They discussed the production process, market potential and future action plans. 

On the second day, Dr Khairul Hossain visited a tea garden and tea factories in Panchagarh. Then, he placed a wreath at Aparajeo 71 in Thakurgaon and paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. Later, he visited a cheese factory, telemedicine centre and safe vegetable cultivation program under the RMTP project, implemented through ESDO.

Appreciating RMTP’s value chain activities, Dr Khairul Hossain said “Farmers here are getting good prices by producing and marketing safe vegetables through the project, which impressed me”.

The same day, he participated in a meeting at the ESDO office. In the meeting, he handed over the ISO certificates to seven entrepreneurs of RMTP and unveiled the ECO Animal Service Card. Then he joined a civic reception program followed by a cultural event.

PKSF Chairman, on 14 February, visited a folk museum established by ESDO. During the visit, PKSF’s Senior General Manager (Program) and Project Coordinator of the RMTP Dr Akond Md. Rafiqul Islam and ESDO’s Executive Director Dr Md Shahid Uz Zaman accompanied PKSF Chairman.  

By Ehsanul Habib