Women entrepreneurs creating success stories in agribusiness
However, they are still facing challenges in getting loans from banks and accessing markets
The introduction of an online market and special bazaar for women entrepreneurs has brought about good results for the sellers, even amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, women are still facing challenges in getting loans from banks and accessing the markets.
Speakers at the webinar on "Rural Women Agri-Entrepreneurship and Covid-19 Reality: Promoting a Pathway," organised by ActionAid Bangladesh and the Market Development Foundation on Monday said this.
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Through the Making Market Work for Women project, a good yield and marketing of women's produce were ensured by allocating space for them in the markets and setting up collection points, Senior Policy Adviser of the Netherlands embassy in Dhaka AK Osman Haruni said.
Speaking as the chief guest, Department of Agricultural Marketing Director General Mohammad Yusuf said, "These entrepreneurs' success will be sustainable if they get training on the online marketplace."
"And the Department of Agricultural Marketing is working to create its online marketplace and women entrepreneurs will get training on it," he added.
Farmers' markets are being set up in all districts across the country where they can sell their produce directly, said Yusuf. "Also, initiatives have been taken to launch marketing postal services."
A farmers' marketing group has already been set up and work is underway to implement the pricing policy, he added.
Jayita Foundation Director Maksuda Khatun said, "We are working to create a women-friendly market network and have plans to sell products abroad."
"Also, we are providing training to women entrepreneurs on how to do business on online platforms."
SME Foundation General Manager Farzana Khan, ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir, and Market Development Foundation President Anik Asad also spoke at the programme.
