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Projects

4. Maize Sector Development Project

Client

Swisscontact

Location

Northern Bangladesh and Chittagong Hill Tracts

Duration

17 Months (October 2011 – February 2013)

Status

Completed

Background

The project aims to develop the maize sector nationally following market development approach capturing opportunities for gender involvement as and when applicable in the existing interventions, with special focus to char areas, Chittagong region, and the kharif season. GMark Maize Team, along with Katalyst, has undertaken several interventions in the areas where the maize market is challenged with constraints like limited access to quality seeds, low knowledge on proper maize cultivation techniques and post harvest management, and most importantly lack of a proper marketing channel. GMark introduced dedicated credit line for maize contract farmers in northern regions. So far GMark has managed to provide loan to maize farmers through Agrani Bank Limited (ABL) and National Credit & Commerce Bank (NCCB) Limited.

Intervention Areas

GMark has intervened with the following interventions to bring systemic changes in the maize sector.

1.	Increase overall production by promoting profitable maize based cropping patterns (through DAE by establishing a PPP model and private input companies).
2.	Improving Access to Quality Inputs ( promote quality seeds through more seed companies, promote Maize Cultivation in Kharif Season through seed companies)
3.	Expanding Contract Farming System(through private companies and support Bank to develop DCL for contract farming)
4.	Introducing Technological Innovation (introduce low cost dryers for farmers/traders)

Result/Impact:
•	Production increased: per decimal 10 kg
•	Income increased : 44,302 farmers were benefited from the project ( additional income of BDT 10,500 for a farmer in a season)
•	Partnering with 5 national and Multinational level private inputs companies for making quality inputs and services available at farmers’ level.
•	367 Input retailers are capacitated through private input companies (Seed micronutrients, pesticide, Insecticide)
•	Introduced and promoted Early and Late Varieties of maize through input company and DAE
•	Promoted Kharip maize cultivation technology through input company
•	Developed DCL through 3 Banks
•	Introduced maize cultivation in CHT
•	22 contractors were developed in the project area.
•	Quality inputs were available in the markets
•	Introduced and promoted low cost drying technology
•	Crowding in: 2 new input companies started business in the locality to capture the market opportunity.
•	Copying: Other farmers started practicing maize cultivation by seeing the benefits of it.

Partners	CP Bangladesh	EON Agro Industries Limited
	Petrochem (Bangladesh) Limited	3S Agro Service Ltd.
	Monsanto India Ltd.

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