Annual Progress Report: Cold Chain Bangladesh Alliance (CCBA) Project

The project is implemented in collaboration with World Food Logistics Organization/Global Cold Chain Alliance (WFLO/GCCA) and aims to increase the availability, access, and use of domestically produced and nutritious foods in an effort to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger. The project is implemented in Bangladesh and focuses on increasing the capacity of small and marginal farmers to grow high-value agricultural products. CCBA is comprised of four components with specific objectives. Component 1 aims to increase the capacity of small and marginal farmers to grow high-value agricultural products. Component 2 focuses on improving agricultural market efficiency and planning. Component 3 aims to increase private sector investment and capacity in cold chain management. Component 4 focuses on increasing compliance with international food safety standards. The project is implemented in collaboration with local stakeholders, including Golden Harvest, a local food processing and transportation company. The project began in earnest in October 2013, with a survey and identification of key production areas within the Feed the Future (FtF) zone that are agro-ecologically suitable for year-round production of high-value crops. The project also attempted to address post-harvest losses, which are very high in Bangladesh, by using an efficient cold chain management system. Technical knowledge and management capacity are crucial factors in making the system cost-effective and safe. A detailed sub-sector analysis and value chain mapping exercise was launched, and CCBA conducted a range of activities including focus group discussions, agro-ecological mapping, assessments of farmers' interest and capacities, and evaluations of infrastructure. During year 1, CCBA organized producer groups, each consisting of 30 high-value crop and broiler chicken producers in Jessore and Gazipur. In Jessore, 157 male producer groups and 73 female producer groups were organized. In Gazipur, CCBA formed 74 producer groups (45 male, 29 female). The purpose of these producer groups is to facilitate technology transfer, access to inputs, and capacity building. Ten high-value crops (HVCs) have been selected, and farmers training with an introduction of new crop varieties and technologies were initiated. CCBA consolidated its work in two of its project areas (Jessore and Gazipur) and explored possibilities of working in a new area (Comilla and Sylhet) where Golden Harvest has decided to establish its hubs. The project successfully established a supply chain between poultry suppliers, which includes farmers, and poultry traders of Gazipur and adjacent areas. CCBA organized 69 farmers training events involving 1,992 farmers (658 female, 1,334 male) in Gazipur on HVC production, post-harvest technology, broiler production, management, treatment, and marketing. The project trained 3,352 farmers (including 183 women) in Jessore on HVC production, post-harvest handling, and marketing. CCBA also organized two training events on cold chain supply management for the cold chain stakeholders between April and June 2014. The first training was organized for Golden Harvest Agro Industries Ltd. (three representatives attended); the second training was organized for the members of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA). Twenty-seven participants attended the second training representing BCSA, ACI logistics, and super shops. The course generated interest among the participants. To develop a critical mass of resource persons with technical knowledge of post-harvest management, CCBA organized a Training of Trainers (TOT) on “Post-Harvest Handling of High-Value Crops” in February 2014 in Jessore for 35 representatives from Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).