27/04/2026
Reaching the last mile against the odds - strengthening access and transforming livelihoods in Char areas of Bangladesh
After years of unresolved land disputes and restricted access to market space, the development of Taltola Bazar (GPS coordinate 89°39'35.012"E, 25°11'27.542"N) in Fulchhari Upazila markets a major step forward in improving rural market infrastructure in one of the most remote char areas of Gaibandha District. Located in a geographically isolated riverine island, the community had long been deprived of structured and reliable marketing facilities. Farmers and small traders faced high transaction costs, limited access to buyers, and frequent post-harvest losses due to the absence of organised infrastructure. The ongoing construction of this market is therefore not only addressing a physical gap but also unlocking long-suppressed economic potential.
This market, being constructed under PROVATi³ - LGED, an IFAD-funded project, introduces for the first time a well-planned and climate-resilient trading hub. It includes multiple covered sheds for all-weather trading, a durable open yard for bulk commodities, a reliable year-round water supply, lighting facilities, and separate toilet block for men and women. Once completed, the market is expected to serve approximately 17,000 households across 15 surrounding villages, significantly improving access to essential goods and enabling producers to sell a wider range of agricultural products. On peak market days (hat-days), it is anticipated that more than 4,000 people will visit the market, generating an estimated turnover of around BDT 12,000,000 to 15,000,000. By strengthening aggregation, storage, and buyer access, the market will support a more efficient local value chain – enabling farmers to secure better prices, attracting traders and service providers, and promoting income diversification in line with IFAD’s priorities on rural enterprise development and inclusive growth.
The strength of this intervention lies in its community-driven implementation model. The market is being constructed by 65 members of Labour Contracting Societies (LCS), of whom 45 are women, under the technical guidance of the Local Government Engineering Department. Through structured training, these members have gained practical construction skills, earned income during the construction phase, and enhanced their long-term employability. This approach has not only reduced construction costs but also created a strong sense of ownership, directly contributing to gender empowerment, skills development, and local economic participation.
During a field visit on 25 April 2026, Md. Mustafizur Rahman, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Fulchhari Upazila expressed strong appreciation for the initiative, particularly highlighting the engagement of local communities and LCS members in construction. He noted that such an approach fosters ownership, strengthens livelihoods, and aligns closely with the Government’s commitment to reaching marginalised populations in remote char areas. He also acknowledged the role of IFAD in supporting inclusive development that effectively reaches the last mile.
The successful progress of Taltola Bazar has gone through many challenges. Market development in rural contexts often involves complex land ownership issues and resistance from vested interest groups. In this case, these barriers were overcome through sustained social mobilisation, continuous engagement with local administration, and close coordination with local government institutions. In addition, the remote char location posed significant logistical constraints. Construction materials had to be transported through interrupted routes involving river crossings, followed by manual or cart-based movement to the work site. The absence of motorised transport options made the process time-consuming and increased costs. Despite these constraints, the work progressed steadily through careful planning and strong community involvement. This reflects a participatory and conflict-sensitive implementation approach, which is central to ensuring long-term sustainability and community acceptance.
As part of the broader PROVATi³ initiative, which is constructing around 117 climate-resilient rural markets across project areas, Taltola Bazar represents a replicable model of inclusive infrastructure development. It demonstrates how targeted investments in rural markets can enhance connectivity, strengthen resilience to climate and economic shocks, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities. Local residents have expressed strong satisfaction, often describing the market as something they had never imagined possible but are now seeing become a reality, reflecting both the tangible and transformative impact of the intervention. To date, a total of 81 markets have been completed, 31 are under construction, and 5 are scheduled for contracting soon.
