1. Rural Enterprise Development
Market Infrastructure Development in Charland Region, LGED
IDE-Bangladesh
Region: Patuakhali
Type: Case Study
Sector: Input Seller
Md. WaliullahSarif isthe youngestamongseven siblings. His two sisters had been married off, but he,
his four brothers and his parents still lived together in their home in Baufal, Patuakhali. A first year
student of Baufal Degree College, Waliullah wanted to do something with life and not depend on his
fatheror brothers forhistuitionand living expenses. But opportunities were few in the area and even
though he had some earnings running a flexi load shop (recharging phone credit), he felt he could do
much more withhislife.Waliullahknewhe couldfullysupporthimself andevencontributetothe family
income if only there was an opportunity Meanwhile, the nearest big bazaar(market) in the area was
Kalishuri Bazar, 3 km away from Dhulia Bazar. The smallholders (farmers) in the area had to bear the
dual burden of steep transport cost and time loss in going to and fro for buying the necessary input
supplies(seed,fertilizer,pesticidesetc).Where agriculture wasthe chief meansof survival, the fact that
inputgoodswere difficulttoaccessdid not bode well for the farmers’ future. The two problems of the
farmers and Waliullah were very different, yet a single solution proved to be a great boon for both
parties.
Under the RED project, two of the interventions were improving market access for smallholders and
settingup inputsellersaspartof strengtheningthe agricultural value chainandsimultaneously creating
income opportunities. REDselectedfarmergroups, identified input retailers and traders for facilitating
the business linkages among the actors of the value chain. Based on situation analysis findings,
observation and experiences, RED organized business linkage and pre season planning session, and
arranged visit for establishment of input seller in the rural market place. Waliullah was selected as a
potential inputseller(seeds,pesticidesandfertilizer),alsoconsideringthat he had previous experience
runninga shop. He was formally introduced as an input seller to the participants of linkage workshops
arrangedby the project.The planwas that havinganinputsellerinthe areawouldsignificantlyease the
smallholders’burdens.Howeverthiswasonlythe initial hurdlethat had to be crossed. Waliullah had to
buy goods from Kalishuri Bazar, 3 km away from the nearest market, Dhulia Bazar. In order to create a
successful input market RED facilitated several more linkage workshops involving producers, input
retailers, input companies and buyers. In the session buyers describe their demand (volume, quality,
price and time of delivery) thathelpproducer(farmers) todeveloptheircultivationplan.Producers also
understand what are the inputs and technology required in order to meet that market demand and
accordinglytheycommunicate withthe suppliers. The suppliers(Inputretailers like Waliullah) can then
buy the specific supplies from large input companies. In this vein, Waliullah was finally linked to a

2. pesticide and aseedcompanynamelySyngentaandLalteer seed Ltd. He now orders his goods over the
mobile and collects from Kalishuri bazaar twice a week at his convenience.
Waliullahdidnothave tolookback since.Hisdailysalesare aroundTk 500 andthere are,on an average,
5 customersperday at hisshop. His netprofitinnow Tk 1500 per month,andthisis onlythe beginning.
He feels his business would be booming once he does some promotional campaigns and takes part in
workshopsthatwill educate himincropmanagementand production technology. He feels he can help
out the farmers in providing not only quality input, but also the badly needed advice in crop
managementandpostharvesttechnology.Notonlydoeshe contributetohisfamily’s income, but he is
alsosupportinghisowneducational expenses.The farmershave expressedtheirunbridledjoyandrelief
inhavinga reliable inputdealerin the vicinity- ithas made their lives so much easier and reduced their
transportcost greatly.Waliullahsays“Iam trulyhappyto be helpingoutthe people of mycommunity.It
is an excellent feeling to be able to help those around you”.