Japan, WFP agree to provide $5m to support Bangladeshi farmers, Rohingya refugees

Japan and World Food Programme (WFP) today signed an agreement to provide $5 million to support Bangladeshi farmers and Rohingyas being sheltered in Bangladesh.

WFP Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Alpha Bah and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito signed the agreement at the WFP Country Office.

The fund will support WFP's farmers' market operation, supporting 2,400 Bangladeshi local farmers in Cox's Bazar who will provide fresh, locally sourced vegetables at the market which provides services to 20,000 refugees who were displaced from Myanmar.

The WFP farmers' market model ensures the engagement of local farmers and traders to sell their produce at a fair price, encouraging localisation of food supply chain and injecting money into the local economy, said Japan embassy in a statement.

"The market is mutually beneficial too, providing income to local food producers and increasing dietary diversity among the refugee population."

"I heartily express my congratulations to WFP on winning the Nobel Peace Prize for WFP's significant contribution to the eradication of world hunger and poverty through food assistance," said Naoki Ito.

This project will benefit both farmers of host community and displaced people and contribute to the stable development of Bangladesh, he said.