The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing 'Dhaka Food System' project to ensure safe and nutritious food to the people of Dhaka. Under this project, FAO has taken initiative to set up 15 new farmers' markets in Dhaka following the implementation of a three-month pilot project of establishing farmers' market in Ward No.6 of Dhaka North City Corporation. Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust is the implementing partner of this project. Bangladesh is currently third in vegetable production, fourth in fish production and self-sufficient in poultry, eggs and meat production. Due to lack of proper market system and dominance of middlemen, farmers are suffering from economic lose. On the other hand, consumers are also being deprived of access to safe food at affordable prices. Both farmers and buyers will benefit from the farmers market project. On 12 May 2022 at 11.00 am in a hotel in Gulshan, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, FAO and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust jointly organized the (Kick off Meeting) ceremony of the ‘Establishing Neighborhood Farmers’ Market in Dhaka’ project and speakers opined such in the event.

The event was presided over by Gaous Pearee, Director of WBB Trust and moderated by Ziaur Rahman, Senior Project Manager, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, and the keynote paper was presented by Naima Akter, Project Manager. Deputy Secretary of Local Government Department and Deputy Project Director of Dhaka Food System Project Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Chief Health Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation Brig. Gen. Md. Jobaidur Rahman, Zonal Executive Officer (Deputy Secretary) of Zone 5, Dhaka North City Corporation Motakabbir Ahmed, Member of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Prof. Dr. Abdul Alim, Joynal Abedin, National Project Coordinator of FAO and many others were present in the kick off meeting.

In her introductory speech Gaous Pearee said that FAO has taken initiative to set up 15 new farmer's markets in Dhaka. Under this, 5 new farmers' markets will be established in Dhaka North City Corporation (6 in total including the ward no.6 market), 6 in Dhaka South City Corporation, 2 in Narayanganj City Corporation and 2 in Gazipur City Corporation. Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust is working as a partner in the implementation of the project. I am seeking the cooperation of all stakeholders including Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Fisheries, Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka North and South City Corporation, Gazipur City Corporation, Narayanganj City Corporation, Civil Society, Media in implementing the project.

Joynal Abedin said the Dhaka Food System project is being implemented to ensure availability of healthy and nutritious food in urban areas. The project is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is supported by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. We will move forward towards achieving the goal of sustainable development through the implementation of this project. It is possible to meet the demand of healthy and nutritious food of the city dwellers by establishing farmers market.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Jobaidur Rahman said that at present 30 percent of the land in the country has been lost and 80 percent of the land is producing three times more products. But farmers are being deprived of proper price and profit. On the other hand, 9.5 percent of the urban poor go to bed hungry or having very little food. Initiatives like farmer's market are essential to ensure supply and demand from farm to fork. Besides, there is a need to increase the efficiency and awareness of farmers in safe food production and increase awareness among consumers about safe food consumption.

Md. Mustafizur Rahman said it is important to ensure adequate supply of safe and healthy food in the farmers market. Therefore, at the initial stage, the farmers have to be provided the facility of transporting goods. There is a need to raise awareness among the people about the need for safe food and farmers' markets. At the same time, the middlemen must be kept away from this initiative, otherwise a syndicate will be formed. To solve any kind of problem in the market, the cooperation of the councilor's office and the office of the zonal executive officer is required.

Motakabbir Ahmed said, we have succeeded to ensure food security and now initiatives have been taken to ensure food safety. In this case, the establishment of the farmer's market will play an effective role. Due to lack of proper management, chemicals are used in every stage of production, transportation and marketing. Mobile courts will not be necessary if all stakeholders fulfil their responsibilities properly. Farmers are not valued in our country. This requires raising awareness about their contribution to the national economy and public life.

Also, Additional Director of Agricultural Extension Habibur Rahman Chowdhury, Chief Urban Planner of Dhaka North City Corporation Maqsud Hashem, Dhaka District Fisheries Officer Muhammad Mamunur Rashid, Secretary of Center for Law and Policy Trust Syed Mahabubul Alam, District Livestock Officer of Narayanganj District gave their speech.