Khamatayan: Strengthening smallholder associations in Bangladesh
Over the last decade we have worked extensively with our local partners in Bangladesh to support over 28,000 socially-excluded rural households who depend on smallholder agriculture for their livelihoods. In 2018 we launched the latest phase of this work, designed to further strengthen the established farmer-led associations.
Smallholders Ambia Khatun and Noor Hossain collect tomatoes.
Credit: Traidcraft Exchange\GMB Akash
By ensuring they are effective, well-run, and financially sustainable, the associations will be better-placed to build enduring partnerships with local government. Farmers will be made aware of their rights and the social security schemes they are entitled to, and will have greater influence in policy-making.
Project name: Khamatayan - Empowering Smallholders to Strengthen Local Democratic Governance
Where are we working? Bangladesh; districts of Gaibandha, Kurigram, Mymensingh, Sherpur and Satkhira
How long for? 1st January 2018 - 30th September 2021 (3 years, 9 months)
Who is benefiting? 20,000 smallholder farmers (50% women, 10% ethnic minorities, 5% people with disabilities)
Project aims:
To enable smallholder farmers to collectively voice, demand and negotiate their economic and social rights by actively engaging with local authorities
To enable marginalised groups (women, ethnic minorities, disabled people) to access social and extension services, appropriate resources, and social safety net programmes
Who are we working with? We are working in close cooperation with smallholder organisations and local authorities, with funding from the European Commission’s ‘Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Thematic Programme’.
For more information about this project, please contact programmes@transform-trade.org