Government Initiates to Create 20,000 Agricultural Entrepreneurs

At a glance
- The initiative is part of the PARTNER project, run by the Department of Agricultural Marketing, and covers 208 upazilas across all 64 districts.

• The programme includes practical training and business incubation in areas such as food processing, seeds, nurseries, mushrooms, vermicompost, jute and dairy. Participants must be aged 18 to 35.
• By October 10, 6,875 people had received training and the project target is about 7,000 trainees this year.
• The project covers 70% of the cost, and entrepreneurs pay the remaining 30%. Trainees can receive matching grant support for food-processing equipment.
• Separately, the Farmer Card programme is designed to help farmers access inputs at set prices, irrigation, loans on easier terms, subsidies and other services.

Context

The 20,000-person initiative aims to help young entrepreneurs build businesses around agriculture and the processing of farm products. The project also plans value-chain groups for potatoes, mangoes, jackfruit, tomatoes and aromatic rice, linking farmers and entrepreneurs with traders, transporters and cold-storage operators.

The initiative comes alongside the government’s Farmer Card programme, which is designed to support access to agricultural inputs at set prices, irrigation, loans on easier terms and government incentives. Together, the programmes can be a signal to the wider effort to support production and rural livelihoods, but they are separate initiatives.

Why It Matters

The initiative combines training in food processing and business management to help young people build agricultural businesses. Since training alone is not enough, they need access to inputs, finance, and markets. Alongside this, the government also has the Farmer Card initiative. Together, these initiatives signal the government's emphasis on agriculture, from supporting farmers to helping young entrepreneurs turn farm products into business opportunities.

What We Think

The focus on agriculture is welcome, especially with women making up 60% of the entrepreneur target. We hope this initiative helps young people build lasting businesses, rather than leaving them with just a certificate and no clear idea of where to begin.