CDAIS starts series of policy dialogues to stimulate agricultural innovation in tropical countries

Mango niche partners from the area of Shibganj in Bangladesh and local authorities have started a dialogue on how policy and innovation can improve mango production.

Niche partners in Shibganj of Chapainawabganj region have grown mango for generations. They are among the main contributors the country's national production that in 2015-16 it was about 25% of total production.

On 23 April 2018, the niche partners and members of the Mango Producers Association of Shibganj met with government officials, policymakers and academics to discuss some of the major policy issues to stimulate innovation and make mango production more productive and sustainable.

The regulation was one of the main discussion points. Producers expressed their need for clarity on the rules regarding the use of chemicals. They also pointed out that variety-wise harvesting to avoid premature harvesting and forced ripening is compulsory in their district, but not in other parts of the country. This, they argued, is causing them economic damage. 

Other issues discussed included legal matters, such as the licensing of wholesale dealers, or the contracts used between mango producers and exporters.

Moreover, proposals were made to improve the value chain of mango production in Bangladesh. Proposals included the setting up of cold storage in mango producing areas and of quarantine offices at mango markets, as well as regular monitoring of agro-chemicals for quality assurance and a tax exemption on bagging paper used for mangos.

Officials said that certain legal and technical issues raised by the farmers were being addressed, while others had been brought to their attention during regular meetings in the district. At the same time, they recognized that continued policy discussions with the mango sector could help to improve the mango business in the region.

The meeting marked the start of a series of policy dialogues aimed at overcoming barriers to agricultural innovation in tropical countries organized by CDAIS (Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems), a partnership between AGRINATURA and FAO with financial support from the European Union to promote agricultural innovation in tropical countries.

Innovation is key to driving sustainable growth and poverty reduction through climate-smart and socially inclusive agricultural systems. The policy dialogues are part of CDAIS efforts to test a new approach to capacity development aimed at making agriculture more productive and sustainable.