Dhaka: The Bangladesh government has launched two apps for consumers, farmers, entrepreneurs and agri-traders to sell agricultural products at the local and national levels. Agriculture Minister Razzaque inaugurated the mobile app ‘Sadai’ for the first time of this kind in the country at the agriculture ministry conference room here.
Terming the app as an ‘epoch-making’ initiative, the agriculture minister said, “The successful implementation of the app will help ensure quality of the agricultural produces, fair prices for the farmers and minimize manipulation of the middlemen.”
The app was developed by software company Bangla Puzzle Limited under supervision of Department of Agricultural Marketing.
These two apps, one is for general consumer and the other one for entrepreneurs.
Both the apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
Through these apps, numerous Agri-entrepreneurs in five categories will be able to sell their products. At the same time, the role of intermediaries in marketing channels is expected to decrease, officials of the Department of Agricultural Marketing said.
Initially, marketing activities are being launched through this app only in the district headquarters. Gradually its scope of work will be expanded to the upazila level.
It is learned that the prices of agricultural products will be fixed by the Department of Agricultural Marketing, so entrepreneurs will not be able to take arbitrary prices.
The company will oversee the business activities of all online entrepreneurs. If the quality of the product is poor or the product is adulterated, the department can cancel the registration of the entrepreneur and take legal action under the ‘Agricultural Marketing Act-2018′ and the ‘Consumer Protection Act, 2009′.
Mohammad Yusuf, Director General (DG) of the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) said, “Although we have no shortage of agricultural products, there are some complications in marketing.”
It has become more evident during the Corona period. Using the benefits of information technology, we want to bring a different dimension to marketing, he added.
The DAM will provide necessary assistance and advice to online entrepreneurs in addition to monitoring their business activities.
Training will be imparted on product grading, sorting, packaging, processing, and marketing. The department will provide reasonable pricing of products in online stores and ensure quality of products and in some cases transport facilities.
