Enhancing Vegetable Exports: A Collaborative Approach for Quality and Market Access for Vegetables Farmers of Jashore, Bangladesh

The case study focuses on the collaboration between the Bangladesh Horticulture Activity and the Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) to promote vegetable exports from the Jashore region in Bangladesh. The general context of the case is the increasing demand for high-quality vegetables in the daily grocery markets, particularly in the capital cities and southwestern parts of Bangladesh. 

To address the challenge of ensuring better quality vegetables for export, BFVAPEA partnered with the Bangladesh Horticulture Activity and established a Crop Specific Cluster System to encourage large-scale vegetable production in Jashore. The collaboration aimed to facilitate exports to European ethnic markets and Middle East super shops. BFVAPEA provided training to 620 farmers on good agricultural practices, hygiene practices, and the safe use of pesticides. They also introduced bio-pesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides and established an external collaboration with Russell IPM, a bio-rational products company, to supply bio-pesticides to the farmers.

The case reflects two CLA sub-components: external collaboration and adaptive management. External collaboration was evident in the partnerships between BFVAPEA, the Bangladesh Horticulture Activity, Russell IPM, and various government departments. Adaptive management was demonstrated through regular monitoring of program performance, joint discussions on field learnings, and the identification of adaptive practices to address challenges.
The collaboration and adoption of CLA approaches yielded positive results. BFVAPEA formed farmer clusters and trained 500 farmers to meet the demand for vegetables. A total of 42 farmers produced 993.76 metric tons of export-quality vegetables, earning USD 4,052,736.95 through exports to the Middle East and European markets. Additionally, 233 farmers sold 1,650 metric tons of vegetables worth USD 2,678,028.04 in high-end markets in the capital cities. The success of the collaboration led to increased interest from exporters, with 50 additional exporters expressing their intention to source vegetables from the Jashore region.

Enabling conditions played a crucial role in achieving these results. The Bangladesh Horticulture Activity provided resources, including time, money, and staff support, for capacity building, training, and field implementation. Regular monitoring and support from the partnership and technical teams facilitated adaptive management practices. The Activity also organized seminars and roundtables to promote good agricultural practices and policy formulation, creating an enabling environment for exporters.

To navigate similar challenges, it is recommended to foster partnerships with relevant associations and government departments, provide necessary resources for capacity building, and prioritize regular monitoring and adaptive management. Creating platforms for knowledge sharing and policy advocacy can also contribute to successful collaborations and improved organizational effectiveness.