Impacts of high-value fruits and crops cultivation on agriculture and rural livelihoods: A comparative endline assessment of farming practices, technology adoption, and market access in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract:

The structural transition from subsistence farming to commercialized horticulture represents a critical pathway for rural economic transformation. A comparative assessment of the endline impacts (2025) of the RMTP-YPSA "High Value Fruit and Crops Varieties Extension and Marketing Sub-Project" in Chattogram, Bangladesh were evaluated. Beneficiary farmers demonstrated a massive shift from traditional cereal cultivation (90.10%) to climate-smart horticulture. Technology adoption emerged as a major differentiator: 50.40% of beneficiaries adopted drip irrigation (with 85.50% reporting reduced water use and 64.30% experiencing increased yields), 44.10% integrated IoT for farm management (vs. 4.17% control). Consequently, post-harvest losses was substantially lower; 42.80% of beneficiaries restricted losses to below 5%, whereas 41.60% of the control group suffered chronic losses between 11% and 25% due to a lack of cold storage (93.06%). Market integration also surged, with 87.00% of the treatment group using mobile networks for buyer contact and 55.20% securing a 6-10% price premium. These differences were accompanied by more favourable income, savings and market-access outcomes among beneficiary farmers. Nearly half (47.70%) of the beneficiary cohort achieved a primary monthly income of 10,001-20,000 BDT, effectively escaping the lowest income (<5,000 BDT) which still traps 53.70% of the control group. Furthermore, 77.10% of beneficiaries accessed project facilitated micro loans, enabling 78.90% to expand their orchards and culminating in newly increased household savings for 67.90% (vs. 25.00% control). Finally, dietary diversity (MDD-W) improved significantly. While baseline data showed 52.80% of the population lacked Vitamin-A rich foods, project interventions shifted consumption habits; 37.90% of beneficiaries now consume high-value fruits weekly and 53.70% monthly, effectively bypassing prohibitive market costs (86.90%). Ultimately, integrating digital value chain innovation and targeted financial inclusion successfully catalyzes a sustainable transition to market oriented horticulture, significantly advancing SDG 2 and SDG 3.