Technical Assistance to the Department of Women Affairs for the Food and Livelihood Security (FLS) Programme

The overall objective of the Food and Livelihood Security (FLS ) programme was to assist 50,000 ultra-poor female-headed households, and 30,000 ultra-poor marginal farmer and share-cropper households in the south-western part of Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh by improving food security and livelihoods and mainstreaming them in the overall development process. Cowater International (formerly Transtec) worked to increase production and consumption of nutritious food through the promotion of multi-layered home gardens and the production of livestock, fish and protein rich pulses. The project improved household income from non-agricultural activities by supporting landless households in taking up income-generating activities.
Revenues for marginal farmers and share-croppers were improved through the use of farmers field schools while the project increased social inclusion of women in development interventions.