Bangladesh

Since 1984, iDE has created business opportunities for the private sector with the goal of improving income, livelihood, and well-being for low-income and marginalized communities.

Featured Project

Seeding the market with the right agricultural technologies

Increasing crop yields through dynamic private sector partnerships

Over half of the farmers in southern Bangladesh lack access to affordable farm machinery such as irrigation pumps, seeders, and reapers. iDE promotes technologies that generate the best returns for rural farmers at an affordable price. We demonstrate the commercial value of these technologies at the national level with machine manufacturers and importers, while simultaneously building the capabilities of rural dealers, mechanics, and critical last-mile machinery service providers.

Why we're here—

One of the most densely populated countries on Earth, Bangladesh has significantly reduced the number of its people that are living in poverty, from 57 percent in 1990 to 25.6 percent in 2014. However, the country still faces challenges in improving food security, as agricultural productive capacity struggles to keep up with population growth. Bangladesh faces an agricultural labor shortage, partly due to urban migration trends, contributing to a four-fold increase in labor costs over the last decade. While the country has made tremendous progress in improving public health through investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene, nearly half the population still lives without a fully hygienic toilet or access to safe, clean drinking water, resulting in health-related losses estimated at $4 billion, more than 5 percent of total GDP.

What we do—

Resilient Market Ecosystems

For developing world entrepreneurs to succeed they must participate in market ecosystems that are economically competitive, inclusive of all people, and resilient to shocks such as conflict or changing climates. By listening to every stakeholder—producers, suppliers, retailers and customers—we can overcome critical bottlenecks and develop lasting solutions.

Learn more about iDE’s approach to resilient market ecosystems.

We’re making big waves

Celebrating a milestone: 200,000 toilets sold in just 18 months

Microentrepreneurs have sold 200,000 toilets in just 18 months. This is a major milestone—for iDE’s WASH team and for our partners, who dedicated two years to lay the foundation for this market system, and then a year and a half to catalyze sales.

How We Do It —

Agriculture

iDE increases small-scale farmers’ incomes by using a market-based approach to promote manual well-drilling and household irrigation technologies. iDE collaborates with the Ethiopian government to connect farmers to agricultural extension services, technical support, and improved seed varieties. Additionally, iDE supports and encourages farmers to diversify into high-value commercial crops, livestock products, and other high-value agricultural commodities such as honey. These activities are changing Ethiopian farmers’ perception of farming, in that they begin viewing and practicing farming as a business, rather than as a way of life.

Learn more about iDE's commitment to Agriculture.

WASH

iDE seeks to improve health outcomes by providing access to safe drinking water through low-cost and affordable household water technologies and by promoting rural sanitation through iDE’s sanitation marketing approach. In both cases, iDE encourages the adoption of improved products and practices among the rural poor, while simultaneously creating both profitable and sustainable enterprises. iDE also trains sales agents to sell to rural consumers directly. These agents receive a commission on their sales, ensuring the sustainability of the model.

Learn more about iDE's commitment to WASH.

iDE Theme Climate Resilience Illustration

Resilience to Climate Change

iDE works with leading companies to design and promote water-saving and climate-smart agricultural technologies, pilot innovative clean energy solutions, and build community resilience to climate extremes through improved access to more adaptable livelihood opportunities and practices.

Learn more about iDE’s commitment to Smart Technologies.

Gender Equity

Reducing poverty requires a specific concern for the situation of women and their role in rural markets. iDE takes time to listen to women as both customers and entrepreneurs. We strive to strengthen the participation of women in rural value chains and increase their access to technology, know-how, finance, and markets.

Learn more about iDE’s commitment to Gender Equity.

Nutrition

iDE encourages farmers to not just grow food, but to grow more nutritious food. With a more diversified crop base, customers gain a more nutritious diet, providing people with more energy and mental ability to be successful.

Learn more about iDE’s commitment to Nutrition.

A system solution for sanitation

Building a winning team of donors in Bangladesh

By using a portfolio approach, iDE demonstrates and delivers effective solutions that meet the goals of multiple partners and stakeholders, such as improved sanitary latrine coverage in populous Bangladesh.