Upgrading Bangladesh’s vegetable value chain through postharvest innovation and agro-logistics & food safety improvement

Bangladesh experiences some of the world’s highest postharvest losses, estimated at USD 2.4 billion in wasted value annually. For certain perishable crops in the vegetables supply chain, losses exceed 40% of production. A contributing factor to high postharvest losses in the vegetables value chain are weak agro-logistics. Key constraints include insufficient and inadequate cold chain and transport infrastructure, poor road networks, limited access to preservation technologies, inadequate postharvest handling practices, lack of integration of modern technologies and innovative practices and insufficient processing facilities to absorb seasonal oversupply. Closely linked are persistent reports of non-compliance with food safety standards.

This Impact Cluster project aims to increase the performance of the vegetable value chain in Bangladesh by reducing postharvest losses and improving food safety through better agro-logistics and control systems in Gaibandha and Bogura. The Impact Cluster will focus on the transfer of technology, knowledge and skills to local businesses and other stakeholders in the vegetables value chain, leveraging Dutch expertise in postharvest management and food safety.

Three innovative technologies from the Dutch partners — modified atmosphere packaging, active controlled atmosphere storage and an integrated traceability system — will be demonstrated. The technology introduction will be complemented by capacity-building activities on postharvest management, food safety systems, logistics optimisation and data-driven planning, targeting operational actors, extension officers and decision-makers.

To reach a wider audience, the project will organise demo days, implement digital outreach, and set up a collective demonstration booth for Dutch technology providers at flagship industry events in Bangladesh. As adoption of improved technologies and best practices requires stronger economic incentives for agribusinesses, the project will develop business cases that show operational and financial benefits of the demonstrated technologies. In parallel, it will facilitate access to premium domestic and export markets for Bangladeshi vegetables by strengthening food safety controls through establishment of field-level testing services, and by enhancing international visibility and reputation of Bangladeshi produce through strategic participation in international trade fairs.

To contribute to sustainable market development, the Impact Cluster will disseminate results through multiple channels and engage in policy advocacy by facilitating regulatory dialogues with the local government aimed at improving industry standards for packaging, transportation, storage, traceability and packhouse protocols. In addition, the project will engage with local financial institutions to design a financial mechanism that enable local businesses to invest in and adopt the introduced technologies.