The project “Fresh Market Training on Food Safety, Food Loss and Waste Reduction, Food Handling, Waste Management, and Waste Segregation” was part of the broader Dhaka Food System (DFS) project, initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The DFS aimed to establish an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food system for Dhaka by addressing key challenges in food safety, waste management, and governance within the city’s fresh markets. It also aimed at supporting the Government of Bangladesh to develop a Strategic Dhaka Food Agenda 2041 through an action research, evidence based and multi-stakeholder collaborative approach. The DFS project implemented a diverse set of activities such as mass awareness campaign, capacity building, facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy and consultation under the following six clusters: Strengthening food system planning and governance (FSPG), Promoting nutrition and food security (NFS), Upgrading fresh markets (FM) Reducing food loss and waste (FLW), Improving food safety and consumer awareness (FSCA) and Strengthening food value chains (FVC). Hence, the DFS project conducted multiple assessments in fresh markets. Some were done based on indicators developed along with development partners, mainly the World Bank and GAIN. The results of these assessments identified the urgent need for capacity building of vendors and associations for ensuring food safety, efficient waste management, foo loss, waste reduction, and optimum use of available resources in the markets. DFS has already conducted pilot training in six markets in the four city corporations of Dhaka on COVID-19 awareness and safety measurement for the vendors, cleaners, and the market association.

Fresh markets are critical to the food supply chain in Dhaka, serving approximately 85% of its population. However, inefficiencies in waste management, lack of food handling knowledge, and outdated governance practices hinder their potential to ensure food safety and hygiene. This project was strategically designed to enhance the capacity of fresh market vendors, associations, and other stakeholders across 130 markets in four city corporations (Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Narayanganj, and Gazipur). The ultimate objective was to improve food safety practices, reduce food loss and waste, and upgrade market management for better health and economic outcomes.

Specific objectives of the project included:

1.To develop the capacity of the fresh market actors in selected areas of food and market management to improve the food system
2.To influence fresh market policies through evidence-based advocacy
3.Produce a project showcase for national-level adoption advocacy

By aligning with the goals of the DFS project, this initiative contributed to enhancing food safety, fostering community engagement, and promoting sustainable market practices in Dhaka’s fresh food sector.

Key Highlights of the Assignment

DM WATCH LIMITED, along with its JV partner, successfully executed the project with a structured and multi-phased approach, ensuring alignment with the objectives and deliverables of the FAO and DFS project. Key services provided by the team included:

Phase 1: Inception

• -Conducted a kick-off meeting with FAO
• -Coordinated four city-level inception meetings to finalize strategies and action plans.
• -Identified fresh markets and associations and stakeholders for the project.
• -Formed Neighborhood-market committees (130).
• -Facilitated orientation for neighborhood committees and engaged primary waste collection service providers to design piloting strategies.
• -Designed and validated comprehensive tools, including market monitoring checklists and training modules, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives.
• -Prepared and submitted a detailed inception report, revising training agendas and obtaining stakeholder approvals for data collection.

Phase 2: Baseline Survey

• -Conducted 2 pilot surveys in selected markets, refining baseline data collection tools and transferring them to KOBO for digital data gathering.
• -Engaged trained enumerators and conducted baseline surveys across multiple markets, focusing on quantitative (1120 surveys) and qualitative (403 interviews) data collection.
• -Conducted data processing and analysis.
• -Prepared 4 draft baseline reports for four city corporations and presented findings.
• -Finalized and submitted baseline reports after incorporating feedback from FAO, which served as foundational inputs for subsequent capacity-building activities.

Phase 3: Market Training and Monitoring

• -Delivered extensive training programs in 130 public and private markets, emphasizing food safety, waste segregation, and hygiene practices.
• -Provided specialized training in 10 pilot markets within Dhaka South City Corporation to implement waste segregation initiatives.
• -Implemented market monitoring plans, supported by material distribution to operationalize waste segregation.
• -Produced comprehensive training and summary reports documenting participant engagement, challenges, and success stories.

Phase 4: Continued Training and Endline Survey

• -Facilitated capacity development activities, engaging stakeholders and preparing markets for sustainable adoption of improved practices.
• -Delivered city-level seminars to present findings and recommendations.
• -Conducted endline surveys to evaluate the project’s effectiveness, gathering insights on changes in market operations and waste management practices.

Phase 5: Project Completion and Dissemination

• -Finalized the endline reports and presented strategic recommendations during a national workshop and four city-level dissemination seminars.
• -Prepared and submitted a project completion report summarizing achievements, key findings, and actionable insights for scaling similar interventions nationally.
• -Prepared a strategic plan for replicating waste segregation activities in fresh markets.

Key Deliverables

• -Four (4) baseline survey reports, including pilot survey reports for 2 markets
• -Five (5) trainings conducted in 130 markets (total 650) (including pilot locations)
• -Distribution of tools and equipment (bins) in ten (10) markets
• -10 monthly progress reports
• -Four (4) endline survey reports- including pilot survey reports in 2 markets
• -One (1) strategic plan detailing the phase-wise progress and replication
• -One (1) project completion report
• -Four (4) city level orientation workshop
• -Four (4) city-level seminars
• -Four (4) city-level seminar report
• -One (1) national-level dissemination seminar