Today 28^th November 2018 at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka Bangladesh, Mr Jeroen Steeghs, Head of Development Cooperation in the Embassy signed a funding agreement on ‘Strengthening of Market Linkages and Technical Capacity for Agricultural Groups to Promote Income Generation in Cox’s Bazar’ with Mr Robert D Simpson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh for  USD 5.378 million to help Bangladesh farmers in Cox’s Bazar who have hosted the Rohingya refugees fleeing for their lives from Northern Rakhine state in Myanmar.

These grant funds are a direct contribution by the people of the Netherlands to an integrated multi-donor response to address the damage caused to the environment in Cox’s Bazar by uncontrolled harvesting of firewood and to help rebuild livelihoods of the host community in a project called SAFE+ (Safe approaches to fuel and energy plus environmental and livelihood restoration). At the same time, the increased production of highly nutritious high value vegetable crops will be freshly available for the Rohingya camp population and help improve their diet and nutritional status.

The overall project will provide liquefied petroleum gas cooking stoves and cylinders through FAO, IOM and WFP to both refugee and host community families to reduce their dependence on firewood for cooking. This will reduce the pressure on the local forests and allow replanting to commence by FAO in partnership with the Forest Department. At the same time, local Bangladesh farmers in the areas adjacent to the camps will be supported by FAO and Department of Agricultural Extension in developing their production of food to sell into the expanded local market, initially utilizing the WFP supported ration card and designated outlets.

The generous funding from the Netherlands Government will be utilized by FAO to implement Strengthening of Market Linkages and Technical Capacity for Agricultural Groups component of SAFE+ to assist more than 200,000 beneficiaries in the sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Teknaf and Ukhiya through:

-                      Developing opportunities for host community agriculturalist to benefit from the refugee presence through market linkages and increased production, the increased market demand is an opportunity for local farmers to increase production and diversify their cropping strategy to take advantage of this opportunity. They will receive training in improved production techniques
In turn the refugee population will benefit from increased availability of fresh vegetables grown locally which will increase dietary diversity and availability of important micro nutrients, vitamins and minerals in their diet.

-                      Supporting engagement with the private sector to improve access to technology, improved inputs and markets, in this farmer groups will be given training in market opportunity identification, identifying credible private sector partners and meeting the needs of the market to improve their negotiating position

-                      Upgrading the capacity for government counterparts and civil society to reach rural agriculturalists with improved services, the necessary skills and knowledge to promote a diversified production targeted at market needs and use of appropriate technology such as improved irrigation systems, use of protected cultivation to extend season of availability etc.

-                      Working closely with and supporting the Forest Department in environmental restoration of critical forest areas to rehabilitate watersheds and protect water sources. Apart from the actual opportunities for labour employment in replanting activities, support will be given to establish forest and grass nurseries to increase the availability of species adapted to the local conditions that are deep rooted and effective in slope stabilization and environmental restoration.

The USD 5.378 million grant funding from the Netherlands will support the project for three years and will play a key role in FAO’s 5-year Resilience Strategy and support plan for Cox’s Bazar District developed in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh agencies.  Implementation of this project will contribute to increased production of high value vegetables crops in the Cox’s Bazar area and enhance availability of diversified diets for both Rohingya population and host community.

The Netherlands is also supporting two other important development projects with FAO in Bangladesh, Improving Food Safety in Bangladesh with the Institute of Public Health, Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Support to Modelling, Planning and Improving Dhaka’s Food System under discussion with Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives.