The Project
The Project Over two million people live in the northern chars of Bangladesh spread across 1,200 villages under 10 districts. Their main livelihood choices are subsistence farming (crops and livestock) and working as seasonal labour in mainland areas of the country. However, the region faces challenges like weak market institutions, lack of information, and high operational costs, making it less attractive for public and private investments. To address these challenges, M4C focuses on strengthening local market institutions and enhancing both public and private services to improve the economic conditions of the char dwellers.
M4C’s goal is to reduce poverty and vulnerability in the northern char households by facilitating market systems that enhance income-generating opportunities. Mandated by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives of the Government of Bangladesh, M4C has been implemented by Swisscontact, in collaboration with the Rural Development Academy, Bogura. The project operates in Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, and Lalmonirhat districts until December 2024. Intervention Areas
Intervention Areas
M4C focuses on three major intervention areas:
1.Input Supply and Production Services: Facilitating access to quality seeds, fertilisers, and agricultural tools.
2.Output Market and Post-Harvest/Processing Services: Establishing market linkages and supporting processing facilities.
3.Financial Services: Promoting access to loans and financial products for crop and livestock farming.
In addition, M4C integrates cross-cutting themes like Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), governance, and conflict-sensitive program management (CSPM) in its design and implementation. It also supports the Chars Development Research Centre (CDRC) in institutionalizing information, mobilizing initiatives, and encouraging public and private investments beyond the project period.
Results (As of June 2024)
- Innovative Business Models: Promoted 20 business models and supported 1,600+ service providers to introduce 60 services, including 25 DRR-relevant and 20 women-oriented services.
- Beneficiary Outreach: Benefited 203,100 char households, contributing to an additional income of CHF 43.66 million (BDT 537 crore).
- Impact on Lives: Beneficiary households used increased income to improve their well-being, such as renovating houses, improving diets, sending children to school, and reinvesting in agriculture and trading.
- Empowering Women: 28,900 women among beneficiary households increased their savings in 2024, contributing to greater economic independence and resilience.
- Market Infrastructure: Through advocacy, 30 market infrastructures were included in government projects, with several completed, like Malmara Bazar in Jamalpur.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Over 1,200 hectares of char land cultivated using sustainable practices, with more than 67,800 char households adopting disaster-resistant crop varieties.
- Strengthening the Chars Development Research Centre (CDRC) to take over facilitation roles.
- Integrating climate-smart agricultural practices, renewable energy solutions, and Early Warning Systems (EWS) to mitigate climate impacts.
- Partnering with financial institutions like United Commercial Bank (UCB) to scale financing solutions.
- Fostering the adoption of green and inclusive practices, with 35,000 char households adopting environmentally sustainable methods.
Sustainability and Future Focus
M4C continues to emphasize long-term sustainability by: