FAO and the Government of Japan have provided emergency assistance to highly vulnerable Haor communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The support contributes to the wider food security of the country by boosting agricultural productivity while safeguarding the health of key agricultural workers against infection from COVID-19.

The Haor region is the main source of boro rice (winter rice) and other crops that include pulses, potatoes, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, and mustard. COVID-19 has led to labour shortages and increased costs for agricultural labour, highlighting the need to develop mechanization. Supporting farmers with the tools they need, and facilitating safe working conditions, will help in the effort to harvest rice and other crops and bring them to market.

FAO, with funding from the Government of Japan, distributed 284 agricultural machines that will be available to

2 000 farmers in two of the most vulnerable Haor districts, Netrokona and Kishoreganj. The machinery included 100 power tillers, 100 low lift pumps, as well as rice planters, power threshers, and power reapers. The machines were handed over to 200 farmer groups, each of which consists of ten farmers.

Ruhul Amin Taluker, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture was chief guest at the distribution ceremony which took place in Madan, Netrokona. H.E. Shirahata Kasumi, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, attended as the special guest along with Nur Ahamed Khondaker, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). Ruhul Amin Talukdar thanked the Government of Japan for the donation of the machinery to the Government of Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of the region for the country’s boro rice production. Second Secretary Shirahata Kasumi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Bangladesh and its support of the agricultural sector.

In addition, FAO with funding from Japan, has:

• Distributed micro-gardening kits and start-up cash to 2 000 households and trained the families on homestead vegetable production and income generation. Each beneficiary received eight types of vegetable seeds, plus vermi-compost, and essential gardening tools.
• Provided a total of 31 street food carts and training for the vendors on food hygiene and safety.
• Issued small business grants to ten beneficiaries (15 000 BDT each).
• Conducted a COVID-19 awareness campaign in which 240 participants learned about the importance of wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from other people.
• Organised four events to strengthen market linkages, bringing together producers, vendors, traders, and food processing businesses.
• Trained 200 local government and non-governmental organization (NGO) officials on good agricultural practices in crop production, livestock, and fisheries.
• Distributed 900 fruit saplings for homestead orchards to 90 beneficiaries.
• Provided 90 beneficiaries with two goats each.

The two Haor districts – Netrokona and Kishoreganj – were ranked second and third respectively as National Priority Geographic Areas based on physical, socio-economic, and disaster vulnerabilities in the COVID-19 Multi-sectoral Anticipatory Impact and Needs Analysis, conducted by the UN’s Humanitarian Coordination Task Team. Without support, the targeted 75 000 direct beneficiaries of the assistance would likely slip below the ultra-poor poverty level.

“Farmers and families in these key rice-growing and agricultural regions of Bangladesh will benefit both in terms of production and safety, allowing them to generate income to support themselves and their communities”, said John Taylor, acting interim FAO Representative in Bangladesh. “FAO is thankful to the Government of Japan for its continued support of food and agricultural development in Bangladesh.”

Continued support from Japan

The Japanese Government has taken a leading and active role in tackling the COVID-19 crisis, in cooperation with the international community. In particular, through FAO the Japanese Government, has provided support to strengthen food security over the medium to long-term, combined with taking urgent measures to protect lives and minimize negative social and economic impacts.

Japan already funds a range of forestry and land management projects that help vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. In partnership with the Forest Department, FAO has restored 200 hectares of degraded land and watersheds in Cox’s Bazar, reducing greatly the risk of landslides and floods. The work is seen a model the rest of the country.

With support from Japan, FAO has also conducted key surveys to improve watershed management planning, formed a network of community groups to promote efficient use of water for agriculture, and established nurseries that provide sustainable locally grown trees for reforestation programmes. In addition, funds from Japan support COVID-19 public safety messaging in Cox’s Bazar.