Soy Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh Enjoy Improved Access to Markets

Women are generally not part of soybean supply chains in Bangladesh. However, the crop plays an important role in ensuring adequate food and nutrition security. Furthermore, soy and soy-based products can also provide women a sustainable means of livelihood.

In the districts of Noakhali and Lakshmipur, Solidaridad is promoting the sustainable cultivation of soybean, with a market-focused approach. The programme largely targets women cultivators and entrepreneurs—and in 2024, the project engaged 200 women entrepreneurs in the branding, packaging, and marketing of soy-based products (such as tofu, soy nuggets, soy roti and soy paratha). These products now feature traceable QR codes, and are sold locally and in urban superstores all across Bangladesh.

The collaboration with Fowzia Foods, a women-led startup, has helped scale up the training of cultivators in good practices and provided them with a direct linkage to markets. Sharmin Akter, an entrepreneur in Kamalnagar, Noakhali, says: “After attending the training sessions, I switched to a new seed variety and learned to make soy roti and soy paratha. Last year, I could generate profits and contribute to my family. Now I’m planning to expand my business.” The entrepreneurs associated with the project are now earning an average annual income of BDT 108,000 (€848.69).