Promotion of Value-Added Fruits for Sustainable Growth and Instituting RECP Practices
A Sub-Project of Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) Project
Project Period: August 2024 – Present
Donors: PKSF [Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) Project], World Bank
Location: Sapahar, Porsha, Niamatpur, and Patnitola Upazilas of Naogaon District
Target Beneficiaries: 1,000 fruit-producing micro-enterprises (MEs) focusing on mango, dragon fruit, strawberry, guava, malta, and jujube
Background:
The agricultural sector in Bangladesh, particularly fruit production, holds significant potential for rural income generation. However, many small-scale fruit producers face challenges such as climate vulnerability, inefficient resource use, low productivity, and limited market access. This project works with micro-entrepreneurs to adopt sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices while promoting value-added processing and diversified products for better profitability.
Objectives:
- Reduce health and environmental risks through the adoption of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and climate-resilient technologies.
- Promote circular economy principles and product diversification to increase the value of fruit production.
- Strengthen the capacity of MEs to access finance, meet quality certification standards, and expand their market reach.
Key Outputs and Activities:
Output 1: Enabling capacity and systems for green growth of MEs
- Training on climate vulnerability, RECP, environmental management, ecological farming, and GAP.
- Organizing workshops and seminars (inception, closing, lessons learned).
- Forming Environment Clubs to promote sustainability awareness.
- Developing model MEs showcasing drip irrigation, organic fertilizer production, bio-pesticide preparation, modern variety dissemination, etc.
- Providing RECP implementation support, including energy efficiency, soil and water testing, integrated pest and fertilizer management, mechanical weeding, waste management, and occupational health & safety measures.
- Demonstrations of organic fertilizer production.
- Certification training (environmental, product, or business).
- Capacity building for e-commerce marketing, Facebook business page creation, and obtaining certifications/licenses from BSTI and government bodies.
- Branding and promotional support (packaging, leaflets, brochures).
Output 2: Providing access to finance for MEs to enable green growth
- Facilitating loans and financial support for eco-friendly production and enterprise expansion.