08. Sub-sector Assessment in Chars

Client

Swisscontact-South Asia

Location

Chars in Bogra, Gaibandha, and Sirajgonj

Duration

March – April 2012

Status

Completed

Background

Swisscontact– South Asia has a portfolio of projects in skills development, private sector development and social compliance. From December 1 2011, it has begun implementing the ‘Making Markets work for the Jamuna, Pabna and Teesta Chars (M4C)’ project in Bangladesh, funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the Char dwellers of the North and Northwest of Bangladesh through increased income. The aim is to design and implement market development interventions in selected sectors and market systems. Therefore, GMark was commissioned to conduct the sub-sectors assessment for the three sub-sectors (Chili, Maize and Jute) based on field study in the chars of Bogra, Gaibandha and Sirajgonj districts.

Tasks

GMark research team has sketched a comprehensive picture of the sub-sectors, found the systemic constraints & explored growth opportunities of the sub-sectors, recommended specific interventions to overcome the constraints and utilize the opportunities, and developed sector strategies in line with the constraints and opportunities analysis and recommended interventions.