Narrative Description of the Project:

The Dhaka Food System (DFS) project of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Institute of Professional Training Management (IPTM), recently conducted a comprehensive capacity-building training with the initiative across 130 markets within four major city corporations, namely Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayangonj. The training focused on essential aspects such as Food Safety, Food Loss and Waste Reduction, Food Handling, Waste Management, and Waste Segregation. As part of this project, a pivotal development emerged with the establishment of 130 Neighborhood Food Safety Committees (NFSC), each comprising five dedicated individuals, including two members from the Market Management Committee (MMC), two vendors from the fresh markets, and one consumer representative. These NFSCs have committed to regular bi-monthly visits to the fresh markets and the completion of checklists, which were provided during their initial training. Once these checklists are signed by the respective Market Committee's president or secretary, they are submitted to the councilors and market committee offices. This ongoing monitoring process is instrumental in ensuring food safety issues are promptly conveyed to councilors, city corporations, and, most importantly, consumers. It is imperative that FAO DFS continues to support and guide these newly formed NFSCs to ensure their functionality, thus contributing to an enhanced management of the fresh markets.

The DFS initiative emphasizes the need of mentoring NFSCs in order to continue and develop this process, contributing to more effective market management and overall food system enhancement in Dhaka. The main objective of the assignment is to accompany and functionalize recently formed NFSC in the fresh market and to develop the institutional linkages of the NFSCs. Under this assignment IPTM conducted city wise 4 situation analysis in 51 public markets about activities they have accomplished since the completion of initial intervention regarding NFSC. And also, the action plan will develop for each market and organize 08 capacity development workshop in 4 (four) city corporation (Dhaka North CC, Dhaka South CC, Gazipur CC, Narayanganj CC) where total 340 (three hundred and forty) participants will attend the workshop during October to December 2023.  

Key Activities:

• Organize kick off meeting minutes with FAO DFS
• Conducted city wise 4 (four) situation analysis of 51 public markets and submit the report.
• Conduct 08 Capacity Development workshop for NFSC members regarding checklist and will submit the workshop report
• Share two (2) filled-up check lists with some comments and recommendations about present situation for each market to the MMC, Councillor and Zonal office
• Develop a performance-based action plan of the 51 markets as per situation analysis
• Develop Monthly Work Plan
• Submit final project completion report