Pro-Act Bangladesh Project launched to strengthen resilience in Cox’s Bazar

Our correspondent, Cox's Bazar

The EU-funded FAO Pro-Act Bangladesh project was launched in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday to improve agriculture and food systems and increase resilience.

The four year project aims to improve food security, nutrition and income of farming families through sustainable development of the agricultural sector and nutrition systems.

The project was officially launched with a high-level inaugural workshop organized at a prestigious hotel in Cox's Bazar.

The project will provide support for improved horticulture and crop production, quality seed supply, fisheries sector development and toxin-free dried fish processing. To make this initiative sustainable, activities such as value chain development, market access and financial awareness raising have also been included.

The project focuses on natural-based solutions to increase the climate resilience of vulnerable communities. Under this, reservoir management plans, multi-hazard mapping, tree plantation in hilly areas and updating of landslide prediction systems will be carried out.

More than 54,000 beneficiaries are under this project. Among them, the aim is to include small farmers, women and marginalized communities. The initiative is based on the principles of inclusion, sustainable development and resilience.

This four-year long project is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension, Forest Department and Fisheries Department. The project covers four upazilas of Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Teknaf and Ukhia.

Director of Planning, Project Implementation and ICT Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Md. Abdus Sattar, was present as the chief guest at the project inauguration ceremony. Head of Cooperation Department of the European Union Mission to Bangladesh, Mr. Michal Kreja, and a representative of the Planning Wing of the Ministry of Agriculture were present as special guests. Also present at the ceremony were Ms. Margherita Kapalbi, Manager of the European Union's Agriculture and Rural Development, Food and Nutrition Security Programme. In addition, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, Rubaiya Afroz, presided over the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union, Mr. Michal Krejza, said, “The active participation of local administration, civil society and the people is essential to achieve the goals of the Pro-ACT project. Ensuring ownership by all is crucial for sustainable development.”

Commenting on the social and humanitarian aspects of the project, Dr. Sanu Dia, Deputy Country Representative of FAO Bangladesh, said, “Projects like Pro-ACT, which build bridges between development and humanitarian assistance, will not only help improve the livelihoods of host families affected by the refugee crisis, but will also play an important role in ensuring food and nutritional security for refugees, as well as building peaceful coexistence between the host and Rohingya communities.”

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is playing a key role in the implementation of the project. DAE will work to establish the innovations of this project at the local level through technology introduction, capacity building and local level coordination.

Speaking as the chief guest, Md. Abdus Sattar, Director, Planning, Project Implementation and ICT Wing, DAE, said, “Currently, climate change and population pressure are challenging rural livelihoods. At such a time, this partnership with FAO and the European Union highlights our commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices, which will help empower local people, ensure food security and build long-term resilience.