TDS Desk:

Newly appointed Managing Director (Office of Technical Delivery) at International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Pieternel Boogaard has said despite challenges, smallholder farmers in Bangladesh continue to grow food and sustain their livelihoods.

“It is inspiring to witness how IFAD’s investments are delivering tangible results. Through access to financial and advisory services, technology, and training, farmers and entrepreneurs are expanding their businesses and improving production,” she said on Thursday.

Boogaard was on her first official visit to Bangladesh this week (January 25-28) since being appointed.

Boogaard said IFAD’s bilateral partnerships with the Governments of the Netherlands and Denmark, along with its multilateral collaborations with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, leverage co-financing to expand outreach and maximize impact in rural development across Bangladesh.

The IFAD delegation, including Nigel Brett, Director, Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division, and Valantine Achancho, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh, visited Chattogram and observed IFAD-financed projects driving rural transformation in Bangladesh, and engaged with project beneficiaries, technical experts, and local government representatives to witness the firsthand impact.

During the visit, the delegation visited interventions under the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP) and the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project (SACP), both supporting small-scale producers and entrepreneurs in building sustainable livelihoods.

Under RMTP, implemented by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), the delegation observed biodiversity and environmental conservation efforts along the Halda River, black pepper cultivation in remote hilly areas developed by ethnic groups, and eco-tourism enterprises at Mahamaya Lake, all of which are strengthening local economies and promoting climate-resilient practices.

While visiting SACP, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, the delegation discussed with smallholder farmers to understand how they are adopting new agricultural techniques, including integrated pest management, nature-based solutions like vermicomposting and tricho-composting, and high-yield crop varieties.

These innovations are enhancing productivity, improving market access, and building climate resilience.

“It was a remarkable example of how production can be enhanced, even under the most challenging and unfavorable conditions,” Nigel Brett said.

He said the innovative solutions and efforts they observed in Bangladesh truly highlight the resilience and adaptability of local farmers, who are overcoming climate and environmental obstacles.

“Many of IFAD’s most impactful success stories have come from Bangladesh, where we have seen significant strides in agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, and the advancement of sustainable livelihoods,” said Nigel Brett.

Following the field visit, Boogaard met with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed to discuss IFAD’s long-standing partnership with the government of Bangladesh.

The IFAD delegation also met Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian to discuss sector-specific priorities.

Both discussions reaffirmed IFAD’s role as a trusted development partner, with a shared commitment to crop diversification, water resource management, and efficient irrigation systems, which are essential for strengthening the rural economy in Bangladesh.

“IFAD is proud to collaborate with the government in advancing innovation across the entire value chain, enabling farmers to adopt sustainable and impactful solutions. This visit has been an opportunity to engage with communities, exchange ideas, and explore solutions that can maximize our impact on the lives of those we serve,” said Valantine Achancho.

The visit reinforced IFAD’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in achieving sustainable rural development, enhancing food and nutrition security, and empowering smallholder farmers through innovative and inclusive approaches, said Achancho.