A new project, to be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, will support farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs to benefit from the country’s national fruit.
An initial workshop was held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in Dhaka on Tuesday, according to a press release.
The project is dedicated to the promotion of fruit production and marketing.
FAO Representative in Bangladesh Robert D Simpson said: “Jackfruit has great potential, as recognized by the Government and FAO, and this project is about harnessing that potential. Bangladesh can undoubtedly gain a significant share of the international market for a variety of products processed from jackfruit that are in high demand globally.
In terms of annual production, jackfruit is the second largest fruit in the country after mango, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total fruit production. It contributes significantly to the nutrition of the people of Bangladesh as a source of vitamins, minerals and calories. Despite these nutritional benefits and largely untapped export potential, dried fruits have received little attention for value addition in the country.
Just 12 plant species account for 75% of the global food supply. Therefore, it is essential to use untapped resources, especially Special Agricultural Products (SAP) – such as fruits – to improve food security, nutrition and livelihoods on a large scale.
The government of Bangladesh selected jackfruit under FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. Eighty countries from five FAO regions were identified as potential project sites, with the aim of promoting 50 SAPs. Bangladesh was selected as one of the first five demonstration countries, along with Egypt, Malawi, Trinidad and Tobago and Uzbekistan.
The project, called “Innovative approaches for better crop production”, will support countries to implement the OCOP initiative by promoting innovative approaches for better crop production and marketing of SAPs. The project will strengthen food security, improve balanced daily diets and increase the incomes of smallholder and family farmers in Bangladesh who grow jackfruit.
The main guest at this event was Wahida Akter, secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The seminar was chaired by Omar Md while Imrul Mohsin, director general, Department of Agricultural Marketing, Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim, executive chairman (routine charge), BARC, Debasish Sarker, director general, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and Badal Chandra Biswas, director general, Department of Agricultural Extension, attended as special guests.
What is the OCOP initiative?
FAO launched the Global Action for the Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: “Product One Country One Priority” (OCOP) in September 2021 based on the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31. OCOP promotes inclusive, profitable and environmentally sustainable food systems through the green development of Special Agricultural Products (SAP) that include optimizing the structure, functionality and service of SAP production systems; minimizing losses in crop yields and biodiversity, food waste and waste, misuse of agrochemicals and maximizing integrated agricultural profits to enable the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
What are Special Agricultural Products (SAP)?
Special agricultural products (PSA) are agricultural products with unique qualities and special characteristics linked to geographical locations and cultural heritage. They are an important example of untapped resources that can significantly contribute to ensuring food security and healthy diets, supporting farmers’ livelihoods and economic growth while protecting the environment and biodiversity. PSAs include all types of agricultural products, recognized (or having the potential to be recognized) as national or local token agricultural products, but which have not benefited from local agricultural and rural development programs to the extent of major crops. commonly cultivated (eg rice, wheat, maize, soybeans and potatoes). SAPs have great potential to integrate into local, regional and global markets and commerce.
