press release chevron Bangladesh funded empowering entrepreneurs for sustainable agribusiness program held in habiganj

Habiganj, October 2, 2024: iDE Bangladesh, on behalf of the Chevron Bangladesh-funded Entrepreneur Project, organized a program on “Empowering Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Agribusiness” at Rahman Community Center in Auskandi Union, Nabiganj Upazila, Habiganj District. The main goal of this event was to provide appropriate technical knowledge to small and medium-sized agricultural entrepreneurs and village development associations, and to showcase and transfer environmentally friendly and innovative agricultural technologies that can increase their production and enable them to become self-sufficient in the long term. The event also served as an ideal platform for creating a strong agricultural value chain and fostering cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The agricultural support assistance was handed over to the entrepreneurs by the Honorable Deputy Commissioner of Habiganj, esteemed government officials, the President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh, and other representatives.

“Empowering Entrepreneurs,” a project funded by Chevron Bangladesh and implemented by iDE, aims to economically empower and stabilize 110 cooperative societies and 1,000 small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, and to preserve and increase their capital. This project, operating around Chevron Bangladesh’s gas field areas in Sylhet and Habiganj, has been working towards empowering entrepreneurs and developing the community, benefiting approximately 42,000 people.

The Honorable Deputy Commissioner of Habiganj, Dr. Md. Faridur Rahman, inaugurated the “Sustainable Agribusiness and Entrepreneur Empowerment” program as the chief guest. Distinguished guests included Eric M. Walker, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh; Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director of Corporate Affairs, Chevron Bangladesh; Khondoker Tusherujjaman, Manager of Social Investment, Chevron Bangladesh; and other officials from Chevron Bangladesh.

Special guests included Anupam Das Anup, Upazila Executive Officer of Nabiganj, and Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Nabiganj. The event was conducted by Md. Afzal Hossain Bhuiyan, Head of Strategic Partnership, and was organized by the officials of iDE Bangladesh’s Entrepreneur Project.

Among others present were Md. Delwar Hossain, Chairman of Auskandi Union Parishad; Md. Noman Hossain, Chairman of Inatganj Union Parishad; Salik Mia, Chairman of Dighalbak Union Parishad; iDE representatives; representatives from established companies supplying improved vegetable seeds; representatives from organic pesticide companies; and representatives from print and electronic media. The welcome speech was given by Hannan Ali, Project Manager of the Entrepreneur Project at iDE Bangladesh.

Notably, around 160 agricultural entrepreneurs participated in this event, where they had the opportunity to see and learn about various innovative agricultural technologies applicable to the area. Additionally, they had an excellent opportunity to establish contacts with relevant public and private sector individuals for further assistance regarding improved, high-yield vegetable seeds and environmentally friendly agricultural technologies. Overall, the representatives of the cooperative societies and agricultural sector entrepreneurs expressed their sincere gratitude to the Entrepreneur Project and Chevron for the opportunity to share their wonderful experiences.