District Level Project Sensitisation Workshop Held by M4C in Shariatpur

With joint collaboration of Rural Development Academy (RDA), Char Development Research Center (CDRC) and Swisscontact Bangladesh, a district level project sensitization workshop was held on 31^st March 2022 (Thursday) at District Commissioner Office, Shariatpur. Making Markets Work for the Chars (M4C) project is funded by Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh & Government of Bangladesh and implemented by Rural Development Academy (RDA) & Swisscontact Bangladesh. 

M4C’s aim is to reduce poverty and vulnerability of char households by facilitating market systems that enhances opportunities for income generation. M4C is working towards sustainable economic progress, market linkage, employment generation and disaster risk mitigation of char households in six districts of south and north-western Bangladesh (Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Shariatpur) from July 2020 to June 2024. In earlier phases, since May 2013 to December 2019, M4C benefitted 1,24,000 char households.

Sensitize and explain

The workshop was held to sensitize about M4C project and to explain active roles and impact of project relevant public and private sector stakeholders in agriculture market system expansion in the chars. Honorable Additional Secretary, Rural Development and Cooperative Division (RDCD), Mr. Md. Rashedul Islam graced the event as chief guest. The workshop was presided over by honorable Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate-Shariatpur, Mr. Md. Parvez Hassan. In the beginning of the event, Mr. Abdul Awal, Team Leader (M4C) gave the welcome speech. In his succinct speech, the chief guest opined that the M4C is a flagship project of RDCD and Embassy of Switzerland showing his appreciation for their support. Two upazilla of Shariatpur district, Noria and Vedorganj is included in the project working area. He also opined that support of every GoB division and administration is needed in success of complex project like M4C. Majority of the vegetable supply in Shariatpur is from Jessore and Meherpur. Since abundant Chili, Potato and Soyabean are produced in char lands, preservation center and mechanism are imperative for Chili and Potato. He hoped also since development partner has come forward to support the project, if every stakeholder involved can work in cohesion and solidarity then the success of the project and positive development can be seen in the chars.

In the event also present were Mr. Shahjahan Farazee, Executive Engineer, LGED; Mr. Md. Golam Rasul, District Training Officer, DAE; Md. Hannan Miah, Deputy Director, BRDB, Mr. Md. Yusuf Hossain, Agricultural Marketing Officer, DAM; Mr. Yasir Arafat, Manager, Partnership & Grants, M4C. Dr. Md. Abdul Majid Pramanik, Project Director, M4C and Joint Director, RDA was the key discussant and Mr. Md. Mojaherul Haque moderated the event.