To ensure the supply of nutritious and healthy food to the consumers, six farmer’s markets are going to be set up in Dhaka North City Corporation. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has taken the initiative to implement ‘Establishing Neighborhood Farmer’s Market in Dhaka’ project as a part of Dhaka Food System project. On the advice of Chief Executive Officer and Ward Councilors of Dhaka North City Corporation, farmer’s market will be set up in 6 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation where 10 farmers verified by the Dept. of Agricultural Extension, will sell their produce every week. Due to poor market system and the domination of the middlemen, farmers are suffering economic lose, while consumers are also being deprived from accessing safe food at affordable price. Farmer’s market will ensure a win-win situation for both the farmers and the consumers and it will play an important role to the development of public health.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Dhaka North City Corporation, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust have jointly organized the Project Launching Meeting on ‘Establishing Neighbourhood Farmers’ Market in Dhaka North City Corporation’ at Amazon Lily Lake View Residence, Banani on 16^th June, 2022 at 11am and speakers expressed their valuable opinion on this event.

Md. Selim Reza, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation, was the Chief Guest and Brigadier General Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Health Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation was the special guest of this meeting. Gaous Pearee, Director, WBB Trust has given the welcoming speech for the guests. Sazzad Hossen, Councilor, ward-2, DNCC, Abdullah Al Baki, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone-3, Md. Ziaur Rahman, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone-2, Maqsud Hasem, Chief Town Planner, DNCC and Mutakabbir Ahmed, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone-5, DNCC, have also given their opinion about farmers’ market. The program was moderated by Ziaur Rahman, Senior Project Manager, WBB Trust and the keynote paper was presented by Naima Akter, Project Manager, WBB Trust.

Gause Pearee, Director, WBB Trust, said that Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations has taken the initiative to establish 16 farmer’s market in Dhaka City where 5 more farmer’s market will be established in Dhaka North City Corporation and the existing one in ward-6, Mirpur will continue to run. For the successful implementation of the project, she requested all the stakeholders, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Fisheries, Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka North City Corporation, civil society and media to provide support.

Md. Ziaur Rahman, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone-2, said that, it is very important to include technology to farmers market. If we are able to give the service of farmer’s market through online, then the Dhaka city dwellers will get benefit. On the behalf of Zone-2, we will be monitoring farmer’s market and we will do our best to make this initiative successful. Abdullah Al Baki, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone-3, said that, to make this farmer’s market project popular, we need to advertise it frequently. Department of Fisheries and Department of Livestock Services should be involved in ensuring fresh fish and meat, then the success will come for sure. Ward-19 is very convenient to set up farmer’s market. Waste management can also be done in this place very easily. Mutakabbir Ahmed, Zonal Executive Officer, Zone-5, said that if it comes under the law of hats and bazars, then we need to continue this project abiding by the law.

Sazzad Hossen, Councilor, ward-2, DNCC, said that, we all are willing to buy safe and healthy food. It is also possible to give right places and facilities to establish farmer’s market in our ward. Hamida Akter Mita, Councilor, Ward no-26, 27, 28 and Amena Begum Ranu, Councilor, Ward no-19, 20, 21 expressed their commitments to provide cooperation.

Chief Health Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation, Brigadier General Zobaidur Rahman said that our Honorable Prime Minister is working tirelessly to ensure safe food to build up a healthy nation. The growth rate of fruit production is more than 11%. Although we are ahead in production, we are lagging behind in transportation, marketing and storage and farmers are also suffering from lack of proper market system. It is possible to make the farmers benefitted by eliminating the middlemen through farmer’s market initiative. This initiative is small but far-reaching. Encouraged by 6 wards, it is possible to expand the initiative to 54 wards.

Speaking as a chief guest, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation, Md. Selim Reza said that, due to corporate culture, our agriculture and food consumption pattern has been changed. We all are suffering because of corrupt activities in market management and giving priority only in making money. Overall assistance will be provided by Dhaka North City Corporation, Zonal Executive Officer and Ward Councilors for setting up Farmer’s Market in Ward No- 1, 2, 19, 30, 33. We have to ensure safe food products in this market, and we will monitor the market regularly.

MD Zahangir Alom, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, SK Mohibulla, Fresh Market Trainer, Nazrul Islam, City Food Coordinator, FAOBD; Joint-Secretary of BAPA Mihir Biswas; Additional Deputy Director of the Dept. of Agricultural Extension Md. Golam Hasan Majumder, Dhaka District Fisheries Officer BM Mostafa Kamal, Town Manager of LIUPC/DNCC Maruf Rahman and many more were present in the meeting.