Changing Economics of Santal Through Agriculture (ChESTA) Project.

Introduction of the project: GBK started the ChESTA project at Birganj upazilla under Dinajpur district on 2018 this project funded by Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture Bangladesh.The Santals are one of the oldest and largest indigenous communities in the northwest of Bangladesh. They are disadvantaged, vulnerable, poor, and often suffer exploitation and injustice. They are detached from the mainstream and dominated and discriminated by the local majority communities, which are led by mahajons (landlords). The Santals do not have any real access to education or income-generation activities. Santals are predominantly dependent on agriculture; the whole family works hard to farm what it can. Many are keen to learn new farming techniques, such as using modern agricultural implements and methods, and planting better-quality seeds. However, help from the government or private organizations is rare.GBK is seeking to improve their livelihoods by engaging the Santals in commercial agriculture. It has designed both on- and off-farm activities for project farmers and helped them to prepare annual and seasonal production plans with selected crops, supporting them thereafter in implementation.

Project Participants/Beneficiaries: Total beneficiaries 1500 Farmers and there are 650 Male farmers & 850 Female farmers every farmers are Adibasi, Ethnicity, Age group (20-50), Socio economic status and any other specialty.

Project period: 2018 to 2022

Project Objective: Connecting small farmers with profitable market system.

Donor /project funded by: Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture Bangladesh.

Partner organization: Gram Bikash Kendra

Implementation Location/Geographical area:

District: Dinajpur

01.Sub-District: Birganj

Union: Sujalpur, Nijpara, Mohonpur, Vhognagor, Sator, Moricha, Polashbari, Sotogram, Paltapur and Birganj Pourosova.

02.Sub-District: Kaharol

Union: Mukundopur and Eshanpur

Organogram of the project:     GM--PM--FO

Major area of Intervention/Component: 01. Farmers Hub (Agriculture Advisory service, Quality seedling, Agriculture equipment rental service and Buying & Selling), 02. Contract Farming (Dry Basok leaf send to Acme and other company) 03. LSP (Varmi compost, Vam man, Spry man, Poultry and Sheep/ Goat rearing) 04. Home gardening 05.  Net house safe vegetable cultivation

Major Activities: ( Farmers Hub,Basok Caltiv,Varmi Compost,) 

·        Assist in Planning And Decision Making

·        To produce Quality Seedling

·        Management of Vegetable production and Cal action.

·        kiss to help to farmers fascinate Agriculture inputs.

·        Ensure transportation and weight Management.

·        Crop safety disease and pest Management.

·        To Co-operate in Demand, Conservation products.

·        To improve communication system with government and non- government organization.

·        Assist in providing market updates.

·        Providing agriculture information services.

·        Party meeting, training and training of party leaders.

·        Exhibition plots seasonal, variety based cropping.

·        Development of agricultural commodity sales system for farmers (farmers, wholesalers, stockiest meeting).

·        Advice on the use of hybrid / coco peat.

·        Creating vegetable zones on single crop.

·        Farmer Experience Exchange Tour / Annual Rally / Field day.

·        Provide advice on profitable crop production.

·        Effective solution to various crop problems.

·        Provide maximum benefits of crop marketing at fair prices.