The DFCD aims to improve climate resilience for smallholder farmers in the Ganges Delta 

The Investment Committee for the Origination Facility of the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) intends to support a EUR 350,000 grant and SNV technical assistance package Ispahani Agro Limited (IAL).

The Ganges Delta, such as Khulna and Barishal, is severely affected by salinity intrusion, waterlogging, and submergence, making it difficult for farmers to grow rice and vegetables. The northern regions face additional problems such as drought.

This project will address these issues by increasing awareness and uptake of climate-resilient seeds and bio-pesticide by smallholder farmers.

The project is expected to bring 75,000 hectares of farmland under sustainable management and improve the resiliency to climate change in the Ganges Delta, a critical DFCD landscape, and the North of Bangladesh. Switching farmers to more sustainable, climate-resilient seeds, and bio-pesticides, will increase farmers’ income by 15-20% while reducing their risks to climate change, directly benefiting 500,000 smallholder farmers.

About the DFCD

The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) enables private sector investment in climate adaptation and mitigation projects in developing countries. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made available €160 million to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change. The DFCD is managed by a pioneering consortium of Climate Fund Managers (CFM), Worldwide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) and SNV, led by the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank, FMO. For more information, please visit www.thedfcd.com.

About SNV

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access essential services. We aim for premium quality and focus on only three sectors: agriculture, energy and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). With a long-term, local presence in over 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, we know how governments work, which written and unwritten rules exist, and how relationships are built. Implementing our mission exclusively through project financing requires us to work efficiently and invest in operational excellence every day. Our team of more than 1,300 staff is the backbone of SNV.

Ispahani Agro Limited

Ispahani Agro Limited (IAL) has been operating since 2007 and has three divisions “Ispahani Seeds”, “Ispahani Biotech” and “Ispahani Agro Processing”. IAL provides agro-inputs (seeds, fertilizers, and bio-pesticides) to ensure safe food quality together with processing foodstuffs and supplies finished goods to retailers and end consumers. IAL is also a leading supplier of healthy rice, fruits, vegetables to popular supermarkets in Bangladesh.

You can read the full disclosure document here.

For further information, please contact Mostafizur Rahman, Business Development Advisor.