Achieving Food and Nutrition Security in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

FAO activities in CHT (2013-2016)Mike Robson, FAOR Bangladesh

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Context

• CHT = 10% of Bangladesh (1% of population)• Mix of hill agriculture and valley bottom; remote;

history of conflict (to 1997 Peace Accord)• In 1980, 90% ‘indigenous’; today is 50%• Traditional leadership (three circles, mong, bomong

and chakma) – circle chief, karbaris, headmen… • 11 tribes/’small ethnic groups’/languages – buddhist

(some christian); Chakma, Marma, …smallest Lushai

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From emergency to resilience

• Series of emerging and chronic crises in recent years:

Shortened rotation

(deforestation and degradation)

Land and population

pressure Recurrent political turmoil

Rat infestation of 2007/08

Limited livelihoods

options

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• UN in CHT: since 2002• Donors: ECHO, UNDP (DANIDA)• GoB counterpart: MoCHTA• Implementing partners:

Hill District CouncilsDAEDLSLocal NGOs

• Collaboration with: CHT Regional Council, Traditional leaders, Upazila & Union Parishads

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FAO’s engagement in CHT

Food and livelihood security

Nutrition

Agricultural development

Environmental sustainability

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Locations of current engagement (ECHO)

Sajek Union, Rangamati District

Thanchi Upazila, Bandarban District

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From emergency to resilience

• FAO activities between 2013-2015 build on an emergency food and cash intervention by WFP in 2012

• Recognition of need for a longer-term solution to the food and nutrition insecurity of the region, particularly to counteract the seasonal hunger crisis

• Sajek union and Thanchi upazila identified as most food insecure areas of CHT

ECHO, 2012 ECHO, 2012

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Enhanced jum productivity• Improve traditional cultivation system• Improved access to agricultural inputs and technologies• Training and capacity development in the field, in the local language

Jum rice seeds distribution

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Inputs delivery in remote areas

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Inputs delivery in remote areas

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FFS session in the jum field

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Jum field

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Distribution of silos, with karbari

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Improved availability of good quality indigenous seeds through training of

producers

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Diversification of livelihoods to increase food security

• Promotion of homestead vegetable and poultry production, targeting women• Promotion of fruit production in the jum land (demonstrate continuous use of the land)

Fruit saplings distribution

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Fruit saplings distribution

18Vegetable production training

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Poultry production

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Poultry production

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Nutrition component• Promotion of improved diets using locally available and indigenous foods – simple food

preparation ‘tips’

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Cooking demonstration

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• With Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs

• With Regional council and Hill District Councils

• With Circle Chiefs

• With Headmen and Karbaris

Continuous consultations

Visit, Secretary MoCHTA

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in practice…

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Consultations with communities

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Consultations with communities

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Future engagements (2016)

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Access to quality agriculture inputs

Development of training tools and ToT

Community level participatory

training

FFS

Surface water management

Value Chain & Marketing

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Eg Cottage industry development in CHTEU funded• DEVCO (EUR 5m) proposal requested, to be submitted 26/7• Linking relief to rehabilitation and development

Technical• Small scale agro-processing• Marketing• Business development skills

Institutional setting• Builds on previous farmer field schools on ECHO and other projects• Chambers of Commerce (Rangamati and Bandarban)• Business association/cooperatives

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THANK YOU!