Development of Agribusiness Enterprises - Asian Productivity ...

C An inadequacy of appropriate technology taking into consideration socio-economic
conditions of farmers.
C Uncertainty in receiving fair prices for agricultural commodities due to the
underdeveloped marketing system.
C Agricultural commodities are rapidly perishable and post-harvest losses are excessively
high.
C A limited level of knowledge among the public about the nutritional value of
agricultural commodities including vegetables and fruit.
C Inadequate infrastructure and other support facilities.
SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM FOR PROMOTING
AGRIBUSINESS ACTIVITY GROWTH
The ATDP, initiated in May 1995, is a Ministry of Agriculture project supported by
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project is managed
by IFDC with a mandate to spur the growth of agribusiness in Bangladesh. The project has,
in fact, been very successful in achieving that objective. During the first phase of
implementation, the project has significantly contributed to the creation of awareness about
the potentials of agribusiness and it has also helped to establish/expand a number of
agribusiness enterprises including PRAN. Some of the factors that have contributed to the
success of the project are:
C assisting the government to identify, formulate and enact policies that provide a
positive enabling environment for private agribusiness.
C assisting government and private agribusiness organizations to collect and disseminate
agri-marketing and business information.
C assisting investors and entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector with information,
analyses and technology transfer.
C supporting the banking sector in making credit accessible to agribusiness
entrepreneurs.
ATDP Agribusiness Assistance Programs
ATDP agribusiness assistance programs include:
C STAMP (Support for Technology Acquisition and Mastery Program), which assists
firms to make wise technology investment decisions and to master technology already
possessed by companies.
C ACF (Agribusiness Credit Fund), which finances agribusiness investments, working
capital and trade.
C PABA (Program of Assistance to Borrowers from ACF), which is a grant program
designed to assist borrowers from ACF in achieving their investment objectives.
C MATT (Market Access and Technology Training), which is an ATDP matching grant
program designed to increase a firm’s access to markets or its understanding of
technology.
C INFORMAT (Information on Markets and Technology) which is provided to STAMP
and ACF participants. By special arrangement, the program may also be made
available to other companies.
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