| This article (PDF) describes the experience of
participatory research with smallholder
farmers in central Bangladesh. The research
looked at how and why farmers use different
markets to sell their products and what could
be done to maximize their profit.
From the participatory exercises carried out
with the farmers, it is apparent that
smallholder and marginal farmers could
improve and stabilize their production through
better analysis of existing and new market
options. A lack of understanding of alternative
market opportunities enables middlemen to
control production, particularly in the
agricultural sector.
Few NGOs promote marketing opportunities as a way of bridging the gap between
producers and consumers. This is particularly
relevant for the agricultural sector. Where they
can’t sell their produce, small farmers are
compelled to pay interest on their credit for
longer, or they are forced to sell their products
in the exisiting markets in the local areas. This
tends to strengthen the role of middlemen.
This study indicates how farmers can begin to
orient themselves towards new and better
market opportunities and the role that NGOs
can play in supporting this process.
Contact
Kamal Kar
R-109, The Residency,
City Centre, Salt Lake City,
Calcutta 700 064, India
kamal.kar@vsnl.com
Dipankar Datta
Assistant Country Director
Concern Worldwide Kenya
5th Floor, Kalson Towers
The Crescent, Off Parkland Road
Nairobi 13850-00800,
Kenya
dipankar2kbd@yahoo.com |
