The Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project continues to foster collaboration in improving urban nutrition governance. In the first quarter of 2025, two significant Exchange Learning Visits were conducted in Rangpur and Dinajpur, bringing together key stakeholders to explore sustainable food systems, strengthen nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and enhance multi-sectoral coordination.
On January 27, 2025, the NICE project, with Rangpur City Corporation as the key stakeholder and ESDO as the implementation partner, organized a learning and experience-sharing visit in Rangpur. Members of the Municipality-Level Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Coordination Committee (MLMNCC) of Dinajpur and the City-Level Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Coordination Committee (CLMNCC) of Rangpur participated in discussions on innovative strategies for ensuring safe and nutritious food in urban areas. A major highlight was the visit to the Jogjibon Farmers’ Hub in Pirgacha, Rangpur, where Ms. Manoki Rani, the hub owner, facilitated an interactive session. The Farmers’ Hub empowers 105 farmers across 35 acres, improving vegetable quality and yield. In a recent cycle, 7,199 kg of vegetables were sold, generating BDT 344,174, benefiting both farmers and consumers. The model has strong economic and scalability potential, demonstrating its viability for broader impact. The visit also emphasized the importance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement, with strong partnerships between regulatory bodies and the Divisional Commissioner’s office, ensuring policy-level integration of nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The initiative focuses on sustainability by promoting high-quality seedlings, optimized supply chains, and long-term benefits for urban food security. The visit was led by Mr. Md. Shahidul Islam, NDC, Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur Division and Administrator of Rangpur City Corporation, along with Ms. Umme Fatima, CEO & NICE project focal of Rangpur City Corporation, and other key government representatives.
Ms. Manoki Rani, owner of the Farmers’ hub is briefing the guests.
Following this, another Exchange Learning Visit took place in Dinajpur on March 1, 2025, focusing on strengthening multi-sectoral coordination for sustainable urban food systems. The event was chaired by Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Islam, alongside Riaz Uddin, Deputy Director, Local Government Division. Key officials, including representatives from Youth Development, Consumer Rights, Health, and Food Safety departments, actively participated in discussions. A seven-member delegation from Rangpur CLMNCC also joined the visit, including Mr. Lokman Hossain, Food Safety Officer from BFSA, Ms. Momtaz Begum, Assistant Director from DNCRP, and Jahanara Begum, Principal of Mahiganj School and College, Rangpur. A key feature of the visit was the trip to Bindu Rani Roy Farmers’ Hub in Baghduar, Chirirbandar, where participants explored agroecological farming, seedling production, organic input supply, and advisory services. Interactive discussions with local farmers provided insights into safe food production and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Field visits to vegetable plots under agroecological practices in urban food security.
Ms. Bindu Rani Roy, the hub owner is greeting the guests.
These exchange visits highlighted the need for a strong, multi-sectoral approach to ensuring safe and nutritious food for urban populations. The participation of government officials, project coordinators, field officers, and civil society members underscored the importance of policy-driven solutions, innovative agricultural models, and knowledge-sharing platforms. Strengthening coordination among stakeholders will be crucial in achieving sustainable urban agriculture and improved nutrition outcomes. Moving forward, continued collaboration and actionable steps will be key to building a safe and healthier food system for city dwellers.