Prospects and Potential of Growing of Safe Vegetables Using Value Chain Approach: Case Study in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has achieved impressive growth in food production over the years to meet the ever-increasing demand of food for its population, which is currently about 160 million. Though there has been impressive growth in vegetable production over the years to meet the ever increasing demand of vegetables for its population, inland and export market, yet the biggest challenge is to ensure safe food in a sustainable manner. Indiscriminate use of harmful pesticides and chemicals in production and processing of vegetables and various other food crops and food products has made most our food unhealthy. This has created serious impact on health of the population and prevalence of various diseases has increased. Though researchers have developed technologies to use safe practices and there exist indigenous knowledge, there is a need for strengthening the value chain of food free from harmful pesticides and chemicals and food which are not adulterated so that consumers can purchase such food with trust. In order to ensure sustainable production, there is a need to consider social, technological economical, financial, environmental and marketing aspect and work along the whole value chain starting from the production to market level. This paper concentrates on safe vegetable production using value chain approach. Thereby the value chain actors, their roles and relationships, Key constraints in relation to inputs, production & marketing and the corresponding activities to address the constraints and Outcome/Impact needs to be considered.