Bringing the benefits of digital technology to smallholder farmers will boost agricultural productivity in Bangladesh. This was the main conclusion of a webinar organized by FAO.

Around the world, digital technologies are transforming agriculture and food production. They improve smallholders’ access to information, inputs and markets, increasing production and productivity, streamlining supply chains, and reducing operational costs. FAO is committed to the digital transformation of agriculture, assisting governments and partners to ensure that there is maximum inclusion.

The workshop was led by the Missing Middle Initiative (MMI). ‘Missing middle’ refers to the smallholders and their organizations who have less access to finance, technology, and information. MMI is financed by GAFSP and implemented by FAO to strengthen producer organizations.

“Our experience tell us that producer organizations help to maximize digital inclusivity. FAO has been working with producer organizations in Bangladesh for many years and this is at the heart of the MMI project”, said Robert D. Simpson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh.

Mr. Md. Sayedul Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, was chief guest at today’s webinar which was attended by more than 200 people. Special guests were Mr. Benojir Alam, Director General, Department of Agricultural Extension, and Mr. A. Gaffar Khan, Director General, Department of Agricultural Marketing. Mr. Mostafa, Senior Economist, World Bank, moderated the webinar.

There were also panel speakers from producer organizations, SWAPNO and Bangladesh Computer Council. Participants included officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Department of Livestock Services, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Agriculture Information Service, Department of Agricultural Marketing, plus entrepreneurs from the private sector.

MMI works with the Sara Bangla Krishak Society (SBKS), a national network of farmers’ organizations with more than 10,000 members. They are now in a position to make good use of digital technologies to support the growth of their communities.

Together, MMI and SBKS have established 55 virtual call centres (22 of which are run by women) and 60 digital villages in the north and south of Bangladesh, including Cox’s Bazar. The Virtual Call Centres have created many new jobs and are an important way for farmers to get information, share advice and stay connected during the pandemic. The farmers are connected to new sellers and buyers and earn more than they did before the pandemic.

FAO has also helped train SBKS members to use Rural Invest, an FAO investment planning software, ensuring that farmers can make informed investment decisions. Farmers are also trained to use Collect, an FAO monitoring app, to manage their organizations’ revolving loan funds. This ensures that the funds are managed well, with proper accounting every step of the way. SBKS also is piloting 10 information, communication and technology (ICT) training centres, fully equipped with digital technology, to develop digital literacy among rural youth. These centres will also provide training and banking services to villagers.

Strong business models are also important. FAO’s Hand-in-Hand initiative is an opportunity for partners across the public and private sectors to work together to reduce poverty and hunger. It’s a country-led digitally inclusive initiative that entails using advanced analytical tools to target the most vulnerable people through tailor-made, targeted efforts that aim to accelerate agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development.

In line with achieving agricultural transformation, FAO has also recently started working closely with Ministry of Agriculture and development partners through a recently approved ATP Working Group. This is an opportunity to bring together all key players in the agriculture sectors to work towards creating enabling environments to support poverty eradication.