Katalyst :: Packaging

The poor famers (including small, medium, and micro enterprises) lack appropriate knowledge of adequate post-harvest management techniques and have insufficient access to quality and affordable packaging. At the same time, manufacturers of crates and baskets (made from materials such as plastic and bamboo) are not producing forms of packaging appropriate for these potential clients.

With this in mind, Katalyst established the packaging cross-sector as a key area. Its currently intervention is aimed at increasing the number of farmers accessing and using quality and affordable forms of packaging, with the result that post-harvest loss is being reduced. The prime target group of packaging materials corresponds to Katalyst’s agricultural value chain sectors. The Katalyst project focuses on small and marginal farmers as its target group .

Katalyst's Strategy

Katalyst’s aim in this cross-sector is to promote the development of a packaging services market that can provide appropriate service and product offers to the targeted rural audience, including the poor.

The overall vision of this cross-sector is to “contribute to increased value addition for farmers and business through less post-harvest wastage, ensured product quality and create opportunities for increased market access by developing and promoting proper packaging services for their products.”

Intervention Areas

Assisting in the improvement of traditional packaging materials

Katalyst identified that in selected sectors, a high percentage of farmers, producers and traders rely on traditional modes of packaging (such as bamboo baskets and gunny bags) to transport their goods. The project then worked with regional bamboo basket manufacturers in key locations such as Jessore, Rangpur, and Comilla, which led to poor basket makers developing improved baskets for their clients in highly cost-effective way. Assessment indicated a growing number of farmers started to use these packaging options and to benefit in terms of lower post-harvest loss.
Facilitating the introduction of new forms of packaging materials

Bengal Plastic Limited partnered with Katalyst’s co-facilitator GMark and is developing and promoting suitable and affordable plastic crates, targeting the vegetable and fish sectors. Katalyst is working to persuade other similar large organizations to target rural clients with affordable and quality package materials.
Facilitating the development of capacity building measures for packaging service providers (traders and handlers)

Katalyst worked in a number of locations through co-facilitator Center for Development and Competitive Strategies Limited (CDCS) to develop the skills of traders and handlers (in sectors such as vegetable, fish and flower), and also directly with several fisherfolk groups; involved in post-harvest activities. Such skill development areas covered sorting, grading, and handling, and also to some extent issues like health and safety-related issues (such as occupational hazards of fish handlers, alternatives to harmful chemicals). Katalyst is looking for a platform by which this skill development program can be kept ongoing in a sustainable manner.

The co-facilitators are GMark Consulting Limited and CDCS. In the private sector, Bengal Plastic Limited is working closely to introduce plastic crates for the fish, vegetable and fruit sectors. Katalyst also worked with the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) a number of times, considering it to be a strategic leverage point by which to disseminate success to a larger audience.