Bangladesh currently ranks third in producing vegetables. Currently Government is trying to ensure safe vegetables as well as quantity of production. Thus, Department of Agricultural Extension is focusing on ‘Good Agricultural Practice’. To provide the consumers with safe produce and ensure fair price to the farmers, the farmers’ market has been inaugurated in Tongi Ward No.54 in front of Safiuddin Sarkar Academy and College. The market was inaugurated by MD Abdul Alim Molla, Panel Mayor-2 and Councilor, ward no.52, Gazipur City Corporation.

Today on 9th September 2022 the inauguration event of farmers’ market was jointly organized by Gazipur City Corporation, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust with support of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

MD Abdul Alim Molla, Panel Mayor-2 and Councilor, ward no.52, Gazipur City Corporation was present as Chief Guest of the event and Gaous Pearee, Director, WBB Trust delivered the welcome speech. The event was presided over by MD Nasir Uddin Molla, Councilor, ward no.54, Gazipur City Corporation and moderated by Ziaur Rahman, Senior Project Manager, WBB Trust. Besides, MD Hasibul Hasan, Upazila Agriculture Officer, Upazila Agriculture Office, Gazipur; MD Shahidul Islam, Food System City Coordinator/GCC, FAOBD delivered their speech in the event.

MD Abdul Alim Molla, Panel Mayor-2 and Councilor, ward no.52, Gazipur City Corporation said that, safe farming can ensure access to safe food to the consumers as well as it can prevent soil and water pollution. So farmers’ market initiative can benefit consumers as well as the planet. It is important to ensure security to the farmers, so that they can safely sell their produce.

Nasir Uddin Molla said that, councilor office will ensure all sorts of amenities to the farmers. This place was used for dumping garbage and construction rubbles. We have reclaimed the space. To keep the place clean and ensure selling produce in a hygienic way, we need support from community people.

MD Harunur Rashid, farmers’ market can play an important role to improve public health. We need more such initiative in Gazipur City Corporation. MD Hasibul Hasan said that, the farmers’ who are participating in the farmers’ market are trained in safe farming. But they do not get fair price. Farmers’ market can improve the quality of life of the farmers. DAE is trying hard to promote safe farming. This type of initiative will encourage farmers to practice safe farming.

Gaous Pearee said that, to ensure safe and nutritious food 16 farmers’ markets will be established in Narayanganj City Corporation (2), Gazipur City Corporation (2), Dhaka North City Corporation (6) and Dhaka South City Corporation (6). Already 4 farmers’ markets have been inaugurated. This is the first farmers’ market in Gazipur. We hope this market will be impactful to improve public health and quality of life of the farmers.  

Also, Xavier Bouan, Senior Technical Advisor, DFS Project, FAOBD, MD Zahangir Alam, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, FAOBD; Nuary Tabassum, Fresh Market Trainer, FAOBD were also present in the event.

Location: In front of Shofiuddin Sharkar Academy and College, Tongi, Gazipur