Narayanganj, a city which is known as the Dundee of the east. Narayanganj City Corporation is working tirelessly for the development of Naraynganj city and to meet the demands of the city dwellers. Following this, two farmers’ market are going to establish in Narayanganj City Corporation to ensure safe food to the city dwellers. In this market, farmers will directly sell their safe foods to the consumers which will play a significant role to meet the nutritional needs for the local people. Besides farmers will also get financial profit as the middlemen will be absent in the farmers market system. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has taken an initiative to set up 2 Farmers Market in Narayanganj City Corporation where 10 selected farmers who are certified by Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Livestock and Department of Fisheries will sell their produce directly to the consumers.

On 30^th June 2022, a project launching meeting on ‘Establishing Neighbourhood Farmers’ Market in Narayanganj City Corporation’ was organized jointly by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Narayanganj City Corporation, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust and speakers opined such in the meeting.

Md. Showkat Hashem, Councilor, Ward No 12; Asit Baran Biswas, Councilor, Ward No 15; KM Faridul Miraj, Chief Social Welfare and Slum Development Officer; Md. Moinul Islam, Urban Planner, Narayanganj City Corporation; Md. Aynal Haque, District Fisheries Officer, Narayanganj; Basna Akhter, Officer, Department of Livestock Services, Narayanganj; Marketing Officer Rokeya Akhter, Additional Deputy Director Tajul Islam; Town Manager of LIUPC/NCC MD Mahbubur Rahman; Zahangir Alam, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist; Md. Anwarul Islam, Food City Coordinator, Narayanganj City Corporation, FAOBD; Gaous Pearee, Director, Work for a better Bangladesh Trust were present as discussants in the meeting. The meeting was moderated by Ziaur Rahman, Senior Project Manager and the keynote was presented by Naima Akter, Project Manager.

KM Faridul Miraj said that Bangladesh is self-sufficient in producing food but still needs to ensure food safety. Dhaka Food System project is supporting in this regard. Farmers’ market is also an initiative under this project, Honorable Mayor of NCC, Selina Hyat has selected ward.12 and 15 to establish the markets. The project will be successful with the support of ward councilors.

Aynal Haq said that it is tough to sell fish in farmers market as it needs drainage system, waste management, and different storage system. Basna Akhter said that we can provide safe producer but initially they should be given subsidy in terms of transportation. If NCC takes responsibility of the markets, then it can sustain.

Rokeya Akter said that DAE must take the responsibility to select safe farmers. We will encourage the farmers to participate in the initiative. Tajul Islam said that farmers can be mobilized form Boktaboli, Bandar unions, but they should be provided with transportation and other inputs such as- organic pesticides, organic fertilizer, etc. To sustain the market, it is important to ensure profit to the farmers.

MD Mahbubur Rahman said that mass campaign is important to aware people about the market and market activities should be regularly monitored.

Moinul Islam said that it is important to ensure proper waste management. People should be informed about the availability of safe produce in the market.

MD Showkat Hashem said that it is necessary to ensure variety of produce in the market to attract people. Both consumers and farmers will get benefit from this project. Thus, the project should be implemented as soon as possible.

Asit Baran Biswas said that from councilor office all sorts of support will be provided to implement the project. DAE needs to select farmers to ensure quality of produce. If NCC takes responsibility, the markets will sustain.