sub-project: Promotion of value added Mango  for sustainable growth and instituting RECP practices

 Proyas Manobik Unnayan Society has been implementing the SMART sub-project titled ” Promotion of value added Mango  for sustainable growth and instituting RECP practices ” with support from PKSF and funding from the World Bank.

About 60% of the total mango production comes from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi  districts.Over 500,000 people are involved in mango cultivation and trade. Climate change has caused several problems, including droughts, Kalboishakhi storms, cold waves, excessive rainfall, untimely rains, and hailstorms. Falling groundwater levels lead to inadequate irrigation.

Entrepreneurs lack knowledge and skills in modern technologies, including:

• Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Inefficient use of resources and lack of awareness about environmental degradation.
• Inefficiency in mango storage, processing, and marketing
• As a result, a large quantity of raw mangoes goes to waste.

There is significant scope to enhance entrepreneurs’ skills through training on the impacts of climate change, environmental pollution prevention, and sustainable use of resources.

 The core objective of the project is to enable MEs to adopt Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices, enhance their productivity, and ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly business operations. The project promotes value addition in mango products while helping MEs adapt to climate vulnerability and market requirements. Sub Project Objective : Transforming the microenterprise sector into a more dynamic, less polluting, resource efficient and climate resilient microenterprise sector. The following issues will be considered in capacity building of small-scale entrepreneurs in safe mango production, processing, branding and marketing through sustainable use of resources, green development and adoption and practices of climate resilient technologies.

·       Creating permanent and positive changes in the environment through sustainable small scale employment opportunities.

·       Promoting climate and environmentally sustainable practices.

·       Capacity building in safe mango production, processing, marketing and branding.

·       Converting waste into resources through recycling and promoting more efficient use of resources and practices in enterprises.

·       Ensuring 65% women participation in small enterprises and workplaces by creating gender sensitive and safe work environment.

Area Coverage :

The project is being carried out across two upazilas in Rajshahi and four upazilas in Chapainawabganj, through fourteen  unit offices, aiming to support 1,500 micro-entrepreneurs (MEs) engaged in mango production and processing.