Promoting Home-Based, Climate-Smart Agriculture and Livelihoods Since 2015

Dristi Protibondhi Unnayan Parishad (DPUP Bangladesh) has been promoting inclusive rural development and livelihood opportunities through community-based agricultural initiatives since 2015. The initiative has been implemented in Noakhali, Gazipur, Barishal, Manikganj, Tangail and Narayanganj, with the support of local philanthropic individuals, community supporters and dedicated DPUP volunteers.

The program focuses particularly on home-based agriculture, income generation, food security and climate-resilient livelihoods, enabling rural families, persons with disabilities, vulnerable households and other community members to make productive use of available household space and local resources.

From Household Gardens to Sustainable Livelihoods

Many rural families have limited access to agricultural land, capital, modern technology and technical information. DPUP therefore promotes practical home-based agricultural models that can be adapted to small spaces, including homestead gardens, container and vertical cultivation, vegetable production, seedling nurseries, fruit cultivation and other small-scale agricultural activities.

Research in Bangladesh has shown that properly managed homestead gardens can contribute to both household food security and additional income, particularly when production is organized throughout the year.

Through community-level support, DPUP volunteers encourage families to:

Develop productive homestead gardens
Grow vegetables and fruits throughout the year
Use small and unused household spaces for cultivation
Produce safe and nutritious food for family consumption
Sell surplus produce in local markets
Develop small-scale agricultural enterprises
Improve household income and reduce food expenditure
Share knowledge and experience among neighboring families

Climate-Smart Agriculture

Climate change is creating increasing challenges for agricultural communities in Bangladesh, including flooding, water stress, salinity, changing seasons and extreme weather. Climate-smart agriculture can help farmers improve productivity while strengthening resilience to these challenges.

DPUP promotes the use of climate-effective and resource-efficient agricultural practices according to local conditions. Depending on the community and available resources, these may include:

Raised-bed and elevated cultivation
Container and vertical gardening
Water-efficient cultivation
Composting and vermicomposting
Organic and environmentally responsible practices
Improved seeds and planting materials
Crop diversification
Seasonal and climate-adapted crop selection
Small-scale irrigation and water management
Improved post-harvest handling
Digital and modern agricultural information

Such approaches are particularly relevant in climate-vulnerable areas. For example, climate-smart approaches such as tower gardening and other elevated cultivation methods have been used in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh to support year-round vegetable production.

Using Modern Technology

DPUP also seeks to connect rural households with modern agricultural knowledge and appropriate technology. The objective is not simply to increase production, but to help families make better decisions about what to grow, when to grow it, how to manage resources and how to connect production with local demand.

Modern agricultural initiatives in Bangladesh increasingly emphasize improved technologies, climate-resilient production, digital agricultural information, value addition and market connectivity.

DPUP’s community-based approach complements these broader efforts by bringing practical knowledge closer to households through local volunteers and community networks.

Local Philanthropy and Volunteer Support

A distinctive feature of the initiative is the involvement of local philanthropic persons, community supporters and DPUP volunteers. Their contribution helps communities access knowledge, encouragement, agricultural inputs, technical guidance and practical demonstrations.

Rather than treating rural families simply as beneficiaries, DPUP encourages them to become active participants and small-scale livelihood entrepreneurs. Families are encouraged to learn from one another, share locally appropriate practices and gradually expand successful activities.

Six Districts, One Inclusive Approach

Since 2015, DPUP has developed community-level agricultural and rural livelihood activities across:

Each district has different agricultural, environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Therefore, the approach is adapted to the local context rather than applying one identical agricultural model everywhere.

The overall objective remains consistent: productive households, resilient communities and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Supporting Persons with Disabilities and Vulnerable Communities

As a National Disabled People’s Organization (DPO) in Bangladesh, DPUP places inclusion at the center of its development work.

Agriculture and home-based livelihood activities can provide opportunities for people who may face barriers to conventional employment. With appropriate adaptations, household-based farming can allow persons with disabilities and their families to participate in productive economic activities closer to home.

DPUP’s broader mission is:

Empowering persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities through inclusion, rights, education, rehabilitation, livelihood development and equal opportunities.

Through agricultural and rural development, DPUP aims to turn available household resources, community knowledge and local support into food, income, skills, dignity and greater economic participation.

Our Vision for the Future

DPUP will continue working with local communities, philanthropic supporters, volunteers, technical partners and development organizations to expand inclusive, climate-smart and technology-supported agriculture.

The long-term goal is to develop community models where even households with limited land and resources can participate in productive agriculture, improve nutrition, generate supplementary income and become more resilient to climate and economic challenges.

Dristi Protibondhi Unnayan Parishad (DPUP Bangladesh)
Since 2002

Working as an assistive force and development partner with the Government of Bangladesh for the advancement of persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities, and promoting inclusive development across Bangladesh.