A total of 195 stalls were set up at the fairgrounds. They are showcasing a range of products manufactured and processed by the grassroots participants of different PKSF programs implemented at the field-level by different non-governmental organizations.
Visitors are fascinated by the combination of rural products including organic colorful fruits and vegetables, handicrafts and boutique items, dairy products, processed food, traditional sweets, artistic wood and bamboo products made by NGO members.
Along with the traditional food items, the stalls are displaying textile products, handicrafts and pottery made by people from different parts of the country.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said PKSF created a better marketing opportunity for the products of the rural entrepreneurs at the development fair.
“Marketing has been the biggest obstacle in the way of achieving the benefits of micro-credit distribution. We organized the fair to create the marketing opportunities for marginal, small and micro entrepreneurs,” he added.
He said the PKSF’s development fair was aimed at pulling out marginal people out of poverty and giving micro and small entrepreneurs in rural areas a chance to connect with a wide section of prospective buyers.
Seaweeds, an aquatic product used in cooked foods and snacks, is being sold at the ongoing Unnayan Mela (development fair) 2019 on the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre premises in the capital.
Many other organic food graded products were also put on sale at the development fair.
JAKAS Foundation from Jaipurhat is showcasing organic vegetables and vermin compost product at the fair. Md Rashed, salesperson of the stall said, they were getting satisfactory response from the customers.
Moreover, pesticide-free dried fish from Cox’s Bazar, Piper chaba, commonly known as Chui Jhal, pickles and fish including shrimp and vetki from Satkhira, Ashrai Indigenous Craft at Rajshahi, TMSS Handicrafts in Bogra also allured the customers in the fair.
News source:
- “Development fair: Seaweeds, organic products woo visitors“, news published by Dhaka Tribune on 19th November 2019.
