Supporting smallholder farmers in Bangladesh

The challenges facing marginalised farmers

Farmers are the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, with agriculture employing 40-50% of the workforce. However, the majority of these farmers are smallholders, cultivating small plots which they usually do not own. As the costs of inputs including seeds and fertilisers have risen across the world, smallholders find it difficult to make a profit.

Recent research we’ve conducted reveals the structural barriers smallholder farmers are facing as well. Government subsidies and resources for seeds and fertilisers are often tied to land ownership, cutting off access to landless farmers and smallholders. Information on these programmes is often poorly disseminated too, which excludes marginalised groups which lack access.

Without formal organisation, smallholders struggle to access government support. We are helping farmer-led organisations to become legally registered, so they can meet with government officials more readily, and advocate for the resources they deserve.

We’re also working directly with government stakeholders to increase their awareness of access gaps for marginalised farmers. We have led 2-day workshops with 390 officials, to help them more effectively deliver services to smallholder farmers.

Growing green

Over the last several years, we have worked with farmers in rural Bangladesh, helping them introduce or expand sustainable growing practices. Here are a couple of the methods farmers are using to reduce costs, increase yields and protect the environment: