A total of 16 farmers’ markets were established in three cities aiming to ensure fresh farm produces at fair prices.
The area-based weekly farmers’ markets were set up under the project titled ‘Dhaka Food System’ at the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBB Trust) is implementing the project with the support of the LGRD Ministry, Netherlands Government and Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The city corporations concerned provided support in establishing the weekly makeshift markets.
The farmers’ markets were launched in the areas of 16 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Narayaganj City Corporation (NCC) and Gazipur City Corporation (GCC). Of them, six farmers markets were established in DSCC areas, six in DNCC areas, two in Narayanganj and two others in Gazipur.
The 16th farmers’ market was launched on Road No. 23 at Rupnagar Residential Area under Ward No. 7 of the DNCC on Friday (November 25).
Like 15 other farmers’ markets, ten safe farmers certified by the DAE from Birulia area in Savar will sell vegetables and fruits every Friday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm in the market set up in Rupnagar Residential Area.
Md Tofazzal Hossain Tenu, councilor from Ward No. 7 of DNCC, formally inaugurated the 16th farmers’ market. Ziaur Rahman, senior project manager of WBB Trust, moderated the event, while Gaous Pearee, director at WBB Trust; Pedro Andres Garzon Delvo; policy economist at Dhaka Food System; Md Sabuj Chowdhury, upazila agriculture officer of Savar; Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, an official at Zone-2 of DNCC; and others spoke on the occasion.
The speakers said that every farmers’ market will continue to improve the quality of life of local residents and farmers. If the farmers’ market is established in other wards of Dhaka city and other cities and towns in the country, there will be positive changes in public health.
