Farmers’ Community Livelihood Upliftment

Innovation Name: Farmers’ Community Livelihood Upliftment
Category: Community Engagement
Company: British American Tobacco Bangladesh

 

The content of this case study was written by the representatives of Farmers’ Community Livelihood Upliftment

It is often believed that Bangladesh’s future development is contingent on the agriculture sector, which serves as the economy’s backbone and also aids as the primary source of employment for the growing labor force. Given the impossibility of increasing the land area under cultivation, the only way to upsurge employment, farm production, and income, and thus the farming community’s livelihood, is to increase land productivity through relevant, timely, and focused initiatives. Since its inception, BAT Bangladesh has worked tirelessly to improve the livelihoods of approximately 35,000 farmers in 12 districts through various initiatives such as Bondhusheba (a digital platform for communication), training on Integrated Farm Management Components (IFMC), contract farming, etc. to ensure farmer sustainability.

 

Objectives

These activities are contributing to securing the livelihoods of farmers and their families. we are focusing on the following objectives to ensure the improved livelihood of the farming community:

• Supporting access to the improved farming system.
• Improving agricultural practices. 
• Developing integrated farming.
• Empowering farm women.

 

 

The Idea

Agriculture is without a doubt one of the most important industries in our country; it is the business that provides food for the populous and also contributes to money generation. Due to the critical role agriculture plays in our country, the government goes to great lengths to subsidize seeds, fertilizers, farming implements and machinery for farmers, as well as to encourage new entrepreneurs to enter the farming industry. To assist the government in its endeavor and to ensure the sustainability of agriculture in Bangladesh, BAT Bangladesh has begun multiple efforts aimed at uplifting the farming community’s livelihoods.

 

Execution

IFMC Training: To ensure accurate instruction regarding Integrated Farm Management Components (IFMC) to the farming community, our field management team and field technicians have received Training of Trainers (ToT) from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Each year, our field management team and field technicians provide training and technical support to our enrolled farmers.

Contract Farming: Contract farming is a significant sort of agricultural strategy for Bangladesh’s dairy sector’s rapid growth. In collaboration with Bengal Meat, we are assisting our registered farmers with cow and goat farming and securing the sale of their products. Bengal meat is tasked with the responsibility of supplying balanced feed, treatment, management aid, including health management, and procurement assurance.

Bondhuseba: This is a digital communication platform that allows us to communicate with all farmers via text message. When a weather emergency occurs, we immediately notify our farmers by mobile SMS. Additionally, we disseminate information about proper agricultural practices, child labor, and other pertinent topics.

Women Empowerment: We are training the women in our farming community in mushroom production. In the offseason, we use our tobacco barn house to cultivate mushrooms. Additionally, we provide instruction on sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Value Addition

• Snowballing the production of vegetables, poultry, dairy, and fish in our farmer community to ensure family nutrition and economic benefits.
• Increasing the percentage of intensive crop rotation throughout the year to ensure sustainable agriculture.
• Women contribute financially to their families through mushroom cultivation, vegetable production, and fruit gardening, among other things.
• Contracted farmers receive technical assistance and logistical support during the growing season.
• Providing assistance with technological challenges and other services.
• Adopting a digital platform for agricultural communication and information.

 

Results and Impact

• 100% of the total contracted farmers received comprehensive training on sustainable agricultural practices, safe pesticide usage, farm labor practices, and IFMC compliance.
• Ensured incremental household income from alternative sources like mushroom cultivation, cattle rearing, etc.
• Through Bondhuseba communication, we ensure that all of our contracted farmers are informed in advance of any natural disasters and are able to protect their crops.
• Through our digital communication platform Bandhuseba, 100% of farmers may quickly access all information regarding health & safety measures.
• Overall profitability of farmers increased through sustainable agricultural methods.