Department of Agriculture and USAID to collaborate for strengthening agricultural marketing in Bangladesh

The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) and USAID's Feed the Future Bangladesh Policy LINK Agricultural Policy Activity have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen agricultural marketing in Bangladesh. This collaboration focuses on developing a Plan of Action (PoA) for the National Agricultural Marketing Policy 2023, which aims to improve market access for farmers and enhance value chains. Key areas of cooperation include facilitating stakeholder meetings, training, and sensitisation sessions on agricultural marketing policies at both national and regional levels. The partnership is expected to contribute to food security, economic resilience, and the overall advancement of Bangladesh's agriculture sector.

Md. Masud Karim, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, emphasised the importance of these efforts in advancing the Agricultural Marketing Policy 2023 goals. "This collaboration will ensure that our farmers benefit from transparent, efficient, and equitable marketing systems, which are key to strengthening the agricultural value chain in Bangladesh," he noted.

Joseph Lessard, Director of the Office of Economic Growth at USAID Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of collaboration: "Through the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative, USAID's Feed the Future program works with partner countries like Bangladesh to develop their agriculture sector. USAID is committed to locally driven solutions as a key element of our strategy strives towards a brighter, more prosperous agriculture-driven economy for Bangladesh."