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ACI Fertilizer and iDE-Bangladesh Signed Agreement to Create Organic Fertilizer/Vermicompost Entrepreneurs in Sylhet Region

On 16 June 2022, iDE-Bangladesh & ACI Fertilizer signed an agreement to create organic fertilizer/vermicompost entrepreneurs in the Sylhet region. This Uddokta project aims to develop vermicompost & organic fertilizer entrepreneurs and increase the production of safe food in the Sylhet division. Uddokta–empowering entrepreneurs–is a three-year (2020-2022) project funded by Chevron and the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by iDE. Uddokta seeks to improve the income, livelihoods, and environment of the rural communities living in the Sylhet Division through enterprise development, green growth, and strengthening market systems. The project also aims to promote an inclusive and non-discriminatory society and increase youth employment opportunities. Building on iDE’s learning and experiences on the market and climate resiliency, Uddokta will emphasize the uptake of profitable as well as climate-smart business models and production practices. Uddokta is being implemented in 4 districts in the Sylhet Division– Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sunamganj. Activities under the Chevron-funded Uddokta will focus on increasing the income of 1,100 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 110 local cooperatives by 35% in Chevron catchment areas as well as Chevron’s positive impact on the community. The Switzerland-funded Uddokta will ensure 1,500 out-of-job youths who have been affected by COVID-19 (at least 30% are women) and have full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in high-growth sectors including the climate-smart sector and also increase their household income by 50%.