Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Security
VOSD works alongside farming and fishing communities to adopt modern, sustainable practices, increase production, and improve household food security. Since 1987, our programs have transformed thousands of hectares of derelict land and water bodies into productive, profitable, and climate-resilient sources of livelihood for the rural poor.
Agriculture Development Program
Modern, sustainable farming for higher yields
VOSD has been implementing agriculture development programs across all our working Upazilas since 1999, with the support of DAE/World Bank, IFAD/DAE, FKP-IDB, FAO/World Bank, FAO/GoB, and the Japan Embassy. Our approach combines training, technology transfer, input support, and market linkage to help smallholder farmers increase production and income.
Over the years, we have implemented a wide range of integrated sub-projects covering nutrition gardens, homestead cultivation, crop diversification, agro-machinery support, and SIDR-affected family rehabilitation. These projects have collectively reached millions of people and transformed agricultural practices in southern Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Program
6 years, Tk. 16.5 Crore | DAE/World Bank | 13 Upazillas | 30 Lakh Population
National Nutrition Program (NNP)
6 years, Tk. 15 Crore | World Bank/MoHFW | 35 Upazillas | 30 Lakh Population
Small Scale Agriculture Development – Gopalgonj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Pirojpur
2 years, Tk. 62.5 Lakh | DAE | 1 Upazilla | 2.5 Lakh Population
Small Scale Agriculture Development – Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalakathi
2 years, Tk. 62.5 Lakh | DAE | 1 Upazilla | 3 Lakh Population
Agriculture Diversification & Intensification Project (ADIP)
8 years, Tk. 30.5 Crore | DAE/IFAD | 2 Upazillas | 6 Lakh Population
Agro-Inputs Support Project
9 years, Tk. 216.5 Crore | IDB/FKP | 12 Upazillas | 30 Lakh Population
Agro-Based Inputs Support – SIDR Affected Families, Bhola
18 months, Tk. 8.25 Crore | FAO/DAE/DLS/EU | 2 Upazillas | 4.5 Lakh Population
Agro-Based Inputs & Income Generating Project – SIDR
3 years, Tk. 1.07 Crore | ICCO-Netherlands | 2 Upazillas | 5.6 Lakh Population
Agro-Machineries Support for Landless Farmers
3 years, Tk. 83.5 Lakh | Japan Embassy | 2 Upazillas | 5.8 Lakh Population
Fisheries Development Program
Restoring water bodies, creating livelihoods
VOSD has been working on pond re-excavation and fish cultivation since 1987 with the support of WFP/DOF. In 1999, we expanded this work through the Command Area Development through Small Scale Fisheries Program, supported by ADB/DOF/WAPDA, covering the districts of Faridpur, Barisal, Barguna, Bhola, and Chandpur.
Environmental degradation had left thousands of ponds and water bodies derelict, creating serious unemployment among fishing communities. VOSD took strategic action to re-excavate these water bodies and promote intensive HYV (High Yielding Variety) fish cultivation. This has created employment, increased fish production, and reduced protein and nutrition deficiency in rural areas.
We have successfully cultivated 1,234 ponds covering approximately 18,100 hectares of water surface. Our fish culture programs now cover 3,420 hectares of water bodies, involving 22,415 marginal poor fish farmers. We also promote integrated Duck-cum-Pond Fish Farming and Cage Fish Culture, and encourage Gher-based shrimp cultivation in which 467 fish farmers have already been engaged across Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Barisal, and Gopalgonj districts.
Family Food Security through Nutrition Development
Nutrition-linked farming for healthier households
VOSD has been implementing the Family Food Security through Nutrition Development Program since 1997 with the support of the World Bank and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE). This program has been running across 22 Upazillas in Barisal, Barguna, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, and Khulna districts.
The core goal of this program is to enhance the nutritional status of rural households by combining agriculture with nutrition education. We promote a “nutrition-sensitive agriculture” approach where families grow their own nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, ensuring year-round access to safe, diverse, and healthy food.
The program’s main activities include awareness raising, training, nursery development, homestead gardening, horticulture development, and seed preservation. It has significantly improved the nutritional status of working areas, created employment and income-earning opportunities, and diversified and intensified agricultural production.
So far, this program has reached approximately 44,00,000 (44 lakh) people, dramatically reducing malnutrition and improving food security among some of the poorest households in southern Bangladesh.
Growing Food. Growing Futures.
From restoring derelict ponds to promoting homestead nutrition gardens, VOSD is building food-secure, climate-resilient communities across Bangladesh. Join us in this mission.