Commercial Farming of High-Value Fruits and Crops: A Baseline-Endline-Control Group Comparative Assessment in Mirsarai, Sitakunda and Hathazari, Chattogram, Bangladesh

The transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture is critical for rural poverty alleviation and food security. This study evaluates the impact of the "High Value Fruits and Crops (HVF&C) Varieties Extension and Marketing Sub-Project" on technological adoption, market integration, economic outcomes and nutritional security in Chattogram, Bangladesh. A mixed-methods baseline-endline-control group comparative design was employed. Evaluated parameters included income, agricultural practices, technological uptake and Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). The intervention was associated with substantial socioeconomic changes among the beneficiaries. Monthly primary income for treatment entrepreneurs increased 14,826.87 ± 9,188.67 BDT at endline, compared to 4,758.14 ± 2,453.26 BDT at baseline and 12,743.06 ± 6,515.96 BDT for the control group. Beneficiaries reported substantial adoption of HVF&C cultivation (91.9%), adopting Good Agricultural Practices (96.9%) and safe agriculture (96.4%). Technology adoption increased with 39.1% of beneficiaries adopting modern irrigation and 77% utilizing mechanized production systems. Market linkages expanded, with 71.75% of beneficiaries securing active marketing channels, significantly mitigating post-harvest losses. Nutritional outcomes were higher among beneficiaries, 61.77% of beneficiary women achieved adequate MDD-W scores (≥ 5 food groups), contrasting sharply with 27.78% in the control group. Furthermore, women's empowerment in financial and agricultural decision making was reported by more than 99% of respondents among beneficiaries. The project was associated with a shift toward market oriented, technology enabled agribusiness microenterprises. By bridging gaps in technical knowledge, financial inclusion and value chain connectivity, the intervention offers a may provide useful evidence for similar interventions for advancing climate smart horticulture and rural nutritional security in South Asia.