The International Fund for Agricultural Development of the United Nations and Grameen Euglena, a joint venture between Japan’s Euglena Co Ltd and Bangladesh’s Grameen Krishi Foundation, on Wednesday launched an initiative to link smallholder mung bean growers up to its global supply chain.
The initiative was launched on Wednesday in Dhaka with a letter of intent signed by both parties, said a press release.
The initiative will enable IFAD-financed project farmers to access international markets, while Grameen Euglena will also have access to good quality mung beans produced in large volumes by Bangladeshi farmers, the press release said.
The six-year-long initiative ending in 2028 will train coastal farmers in technology used in Japan.
IFAD and Euglena will work together to ensure availability of good quality agricultural inputs at an affordable price, and train farmers to efficiently use inputs for safe, nutritious and diversified production, the press release said.
‘IFAD values collaborative initiatives. This renewed partnership will spur engagement with the private sector in Bangladesh,’ the press release quoted Arnoud Hameleers, IFAD country director, Bangladesh, as saying.
IFAD has so far invested $973.5 million reaching 11.7 million households in Bangladesh over four decades through 35 projects.
