M4C: Making Markets Work for the Jamuna, Padma and Teesta Chars

Project description / objective

Reducing the vulnerability of households living on Bangladeshi ‘chars’ (remote and unstable riverine islands) by developing market systems that create sustainable income-generation opportunities.

Market systems focus

Inputs & production services for agricultural and livestock sector

To ensure the availability and accessibility of high-quality seeds, fertilisers, crop protection solutions, and agricultural and livestock services in the char areas.

Output market and post-harvest processing services

Connecting char households with output market actors, local crop and livestock traders, as well as post-harvest service providers to help char households improve the quality and increase harvest volume of their crops.

Financial services and entrepreneurship development

Char communities face significant barriers to accessing formal financial services, limiting their ability to invest and build resilience.

Programme interventions

Inputs & production services for agricultural and livestock sector

Agriculture

• Promotion and distribution of quality inputs (seed, fertiliser, micronutrients and crop protection solutions) 
• Expansion of maize and groundnut Trader Out grower Scheme (TOS) model 
• Promotion of chilli cultivation through transplantation method (seedling) & quality seed production techniques
• Introduction of maize & groundnut contract farming model
• Trader Out-growers Scheme (TOS)-crop model
• Promotion of sandbar cropping technology
• Promotion of agriculture bundling service

Livestock

• Promotion and distribution of quality livestock feed, including through ACI Godrej
• Expansion of silage distribution networks through Local Service Providers (LSPs)
• Promotion and distribution of livestock medicines, vaccines, and supplements
• Strengthening channels for vaccination, deworming, and improved cattle treatment practices
• Commercial promotion of country bird farming in the chars
• Expansion of improved goat rearing practices through LSPs
• Promotion and expansion of the cattle and goat Trader Out Grower Scheme (TOS) model

Handicraft

• Training and employment of char women in handicrafts production through local agents
• Expansion of women producer network in the chars

Output market and post-harvest processing services

Agriculture

• Expansion of improved post-harvest practices through processing company and local traders 
• Promotion and distribution of low-cost drying materials and onion storage solutions through post-harvest and storage service providers
• Promotion of better shelling services
• Promotion of low-cost storage system through local traders
• Formation and capacity building of Sales and Service Center (SSC)

Transportation

• Establishment and capacity building of ghat coordination committees
• Inclusion of infrastructure development initiatives into Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) projects
• Promoting appropriate transport design and services for the char

Financial services and entrepreneurship development

Financial services

• Promotion and distribution of Seasonal Loan Product (SLP) and Micro-Enterprise loans in the chars, including through Gram Unnayan Kendra (GUK)
• Alternate finance mechanism to ensure access to finance
• Alternate access to finance through investment platform
• Access to finance through Shariah based investment

Nutrition

• Promotion of nutrition, hygiene and health safety awareness and practices

Notable results (systemic change, poverty impact)

Inputs & production services for agricultural and livestock sector

• Partnered with 10 large agro-input companies, four agrovets.
• Mobilised 1,600+ retailers through 100+ distribution points.
• Successfully influenced United Seeds and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) to invest in initiatives tailored to the unique needs of the char regions.

Output market and post-harvest processing services

• Mobilised 3,200+ service providers for crop and livestock output market and post-harvest services.
• More than 700 traders continue to trade in the char area.
• More than 750 post-harvest service providers are providing service in the char area.
• 20 procurement centres have been established in the char.
• More than 10 large buyers such as Aftab feed, Kazi feed, Nourish and Paragon establish their agents and procure products from the char.
• Drying and maize shelling service providers covered 90 per cent of the char area.
• Successfully influenced the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to ensure infrastructure and services planning and investment in the chars.

Financial services and entrepreneurship development

• Mobilised four microfinance institutions (MFIs) and four startups in char areas.
• Disbursed US $11.75 million in loans.
• 36,000+ char farmers received seasonal loans for the first time.
• 3,200+ service providers accessed micro-enterprise loans.
• Successfully influenced United Commercial Bank (UCB) to invest in the char regions.
• Partnered four startups and one renewable energy company.
• One startup set up a one-stop service for the char area.

Impact on poverty

• 203,000 households benefitted from increased income resulting from improved access to, and availability of, quality agro-inputs and agrovet services.
• US $38.30 million additional income generated.
• Direct economic empowerment of 28,900 women through their participation in income-generating activities, leading to increased savings.

[Updated January 2025]