PRICE Quarterly Report January 2011 - March 2011: Poverty Reduction by Increasing the Competitiveness of Enterprises

Activities focused primarily on potato due to its critical growing period during this time. PRICE assisted its partners in growing clean potato seeds from pre-breeder and breeder seeds in net houses, significantly reducing Bangladesh's dependency on imported seeds. The organization also introduced processing-type potatoes among farmers, facilitated residential training courses to strengthen existing tissue culture labs, and created a pool of qualified tissue culture technicians. In addition to potato, PRICE supported its partners in organizing farmer trainings on orchard management for mango plants, which started blooming in February. The organization provided technical support to maximize yield and helped eggplant farmers source seeds from reputable companies. PRICE also supported training on different production techniques, including seedling raising, soil testing, and the use of lime, compost, and fertilizers. In the horticulture sector, PRICE encouraged smallholder farmers to grow pesticide-free vegetables in dykes and promoted the use of Tricho and Vermi Compost for sustainable horticultural crop production. The organization's market linkage initiative resulted in the first deal ever for the export of 300 metric tons of quality potatoes to the Malaysian subsidiary of the British retail giant, TESCO. As a result of PRICE's interventions, the horticulture sector partners increased their sales by more than $2.9 million, created 2,190 jobs across the value chain, and increased their investment in fixed assets by approximately $103 thousand. A total of 3,056 farmers were trained on improved technology, and PRICE facilitated access to micro credit for 2,700 farmers. In the aquaculture sector, PRICE linked fish farmers to quality seed-producing hatcheries and nurseries and facilitated trainings on farm management for different fish species. The organization signed memoranda of understanding with an enterprise-based commercial feed miller, a farming association, aquaculture input sellers, and exporters of value-added fish. PRICE also assisted private testing labs to build their capacity to increase supplies of screened post-larvae (PL) for shrimp farming. As an initiative for value-added product (VAP) development, PRICE collaborated with the USAID-funded and Winrock International-managed "Farmer to Farmer" program to utilize support from a high-profile US consultant for its partner processing plants. The consultant assisted in building capacity for value-added product development and quantifying the status and potential of manufacturing value-added products. Under the Greater Harvest and Economic Return from Shrimp (GHERS) project, PRICE promoted improved farming practices and a market for virus-free, screened PL. PRICE supported its shrimp processing partners' attendance at the Gulf Food Fair in Dubai, resulting in the establishment of linkages with foreign buyers, especially in untapped and newly emerging seafood markets in Middle Eastern countries. The organization's activities in the aquaculture sector aimed to improve the competitiveness of Bangladesh's aquaculture sector and increase its exports. The leather products sector also received attention from PRICE during this period. The organization provided assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing their businesses and supported workforce development initiatives. PRICE also facilitated the development of other sector initiatives, including the establishment of a leather goods and footwear manufacturers' association. As a result of PRICE's interventions, the leather products sector partners increased their sales by more than $1.3 million, created 1,500 jobs across the value chain, and increased their investment in fixed assets by approximately $50 thousand. A total of 2,500 farmers were trained on improved technology, and PRICE facilitated access to micro credit for 1,500 farmers. PRICE's equity integration activities aimed to promote gender equality and empower women in the three sectors. The organization provided training and support to women farmers and entrepreneurs, enabling them to access markets and improve their livelihoods. Overall, PRICE's activities during the January through March 2011 period focused on building the competitiveness of Bangladesh's horticulture, aquaculture, and leather products sectors. The organization's interventions aimed to improve the productivity and profitability of small and medium enterprises, increase exports, and promote gender equality.