LightCastle Partners Signs Contract with World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) to Conduct Market Systems Study for the Gender Inclusive Market Systems for Improved Nutrition (GESMIN) Project

LightCastle Partners has recently signed a contract with World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) to conduct a comprehensive market systems assessment for selected nutrition-sensitive value chain commodities (NSVC) across four sub-districts in Jamalpur. The project aims to elevate income, enhance nutrition, and empower women economically through an inclusive market system approach.

WVB is embarking on a transformative initiative with the launch of the Gender Inclusive Market Systems for Improved Nutrition (GESMIN) Phase-II project. This significant endeavor, spanning from July 2023 to June 2028, is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and will focus on assessing the market systems of key agricultural value chains, including Rice, Maize, Chilli, Eggplant, and Leafy Greens. One more value chain will be explored from a Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action (ESCA) lens during the course of this project.

LightCastle Partners has been onboarded to conduct the market systems study while leveraging WVB’s multiple in-house tools, in an effort to highlight the key challenges and opportunities within the value chains for small producers. Additionally, LightCastle will also explore local and distant market potential, specify requirements for optimal exploitation, recognize areas for production and productivity enhancements to boost competitiveness and identify sustainable development prospects.

The team is expected to also create a comprehensive value chain map, dissected by gender integration, and illustrate all the value chain actors and stakeholders, supporters, and influencers. Emphasizing the potential for integrating small producers, particularly women, into the value chain. Ultimately, this 3-month study will provide WVB with appropriate recommendations for the project’s interventions, aligning with the overarching goal of enhancing income, promoting gender inclusivity, and advancing environmental stewardship and climate action in Jamalpur.