Tag: DANIA
Meat processing plant established
In Bogura, Al Hasan Siyam established a meat processing plant, named ‘Bogura Meat’, with the support of GUK, a project-implementing partner organization of PKSF. RMTP provided technical and marketing assistance for this initiative. Additionally, the project facilitated linkage between Bogura Meat and local livestock farmers who adhere to GGAP compliance in cattle rearing. At the plant, cattle are slaughtered in accordance with halal standards. The demand for processed meat is significantly high in the local market. Furthermore, Al Hasan Siyam sells 1,200 kgs of tenderloin, sirloin, short loin, and round-cut beef steaks to restaurants in Dhaka every week.
RMTP has helped establish six such meat processing plants across the country. Similarly, Mama-Bhagne Agro Safe Meat, a safe beef sales centre, at Shialkol in Sirajganj sadar, has achieved ISO certification through the technical support of National Development Programme (NDP), a pewrtner organization of PKSF. Abul Kalam Azad, owner of the meat firm, said since its launch in February, beef from an average of 45 cows is being sold every month in the establishment. It has gained recognition in the district as well.
Even the district livestock officers regularly purchase beef from there. It sells meat at market prices. There is a separate clean and hygienic area for slaughtering cattle there. After halal slaughter, the blood and waste of the cattle are buried under the ground.
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.
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.”
Denmark Ambassador to Bangladesh visits tulip garden in Tetulia
Denmark Ambassador to Bangladesh H.E. Winnie Estrup Petersen visited a tulip garden at Tetulia in Panchagarh on 13 February 2023. Twenty flower growers of Dorjipara village welcomed the Ambassador with tulip flowers. IFAD Country Director of Bangladesh Arnoud Hameleers, PKSF Senior General Manager and Project Coordinator of RMTP Dr Akond Md Rafiqul Islam, ESDO Executive Director Dr Md Shahid Uz Zaman, and Tetulia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sohag Chandra Saha accompanied Ambassador Petersen during the visit.
Ambassador Petersen said, “I am delighted to see the tulip cultivation in Bangladesh. These kinds of flowers usually grow in countries with cold climates. I appreciated the farmers and the initiators for growing tulip in this remote area of Bangladesh. I hope that in the future they will expand the tulip cultivation and make it a profitable venture.”
Ambassador Petersen was delighted to learn that a tulip variety was named as Denmark Variety. She highly commended the efforts of the tulip growers, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and the latter’s Partner Organization Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) through which a sub-project titled ‘Assess the feasibility of expanding tulip cultivation in the northern part of the country’ is being implemented.
IFAD Country Director Arnoud Hameleers spoke with the female flower growers. “I am amazed to see the tulip here in Dorjipara. I feel as if I am in my own home,” said the Dutch-born development leader. “Tulip can be a special flower for special day celebrations in Bangladesh. Tulip can strengthen the bond between Netherlands and Bangladesh friendship,” he added.
On 11 January 2023, the 20 farmers collectively sowed 1,00,000 tulip bulbs for cultivation on two acres of land. Last year, eight female farmers were engaged in tulip cultivation and they used 40,000 bulbs on 40 decimals of land in three separate places.
This season, the farmers planted 10 tulip varieties – Antarctica (white), Denmark (orange), Lalibela (red), Dutch Sunrise (yellow), Strong Gold (yellow), Zantupink (pink), White Marvel (white), Mystic van Eijk (pink), Happy Generation (white-red), and Golden Ticket (yellow).
Bengali media report on this event: