𝗪𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘: 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗶 𝗝𝗵𝗮𝗹 (𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗮) 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Empowering women and restoring ecosystems together. In Satkhira, Bangladesh, women are building climate resilient livelihoods through Chui Jhal (Piper Chaba) cultivation.
Through WE RISE, women are gaining
* Income for rural women
* Climate resilient livelihoods
* Restored homestead biodiversity
This women centered and nature based initiative is implemented by SESDO to support vulnerable rural communities.
When women are empowered, families become stronger and ecosystems recover.
We welcome partners, donors, and organizations to support and scale WE RISE.

Implemented by: SESDO (Social and Environmental Sustainable Development Organization)

Project Location: Khalishkhali Union, Tala Upazila, Satkhira District, Bangladesh

Project Duration: 36 months (3 years)

Target Beneficiaries

120 rural women (primary beneficiaries)
60 unemployed youth
300 indirect community members
(Poor, climate-vulnerable, and marginalized households)

Executive Summary

Climate change has severely affected the coastal district of Satkhira, where rising soil salinity, frequent cyclones, flooding, and declining agricultural productivity threaten livelihoods and food security. Women and unemployed youth are disproportionately affected due to limited access to climate-resilient income opportunities.

This project proposes a gender-responsive, climate-resilient livelihood model through sustainable Chui Jhal (Piper chaba) cultivation. Chui Jhal is a high-value, low-land, and climate-tolerant spice crop that can be cultivated in homesteads and saline-affected areas.

SESDO will establish a community-based Chui Jhal nursery, provide skills training and inputs, and support women-led micro-enterprises. The project integrates climate adaptation, women’s economic empowerment, youth employment, and biodiversity conservation, contributing to long-term resilience and poverty reduction in coastal Bangladesh.

Background and Context

Climate Change and Livelihood Challenges

Satkhira District lies in Bangladesh’s coastal belt and is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the country. Climate change impacts include:

Increasing soil and water salinity
Reduced productivity of traditional crops
Frequent cyclones and tidal flooding
Loss of income and food insecurity

Smallholder farmers, women, and land-poor households are unable to adapt using conventional agriculture, pushing many into poverty and migration.

Gender Dimensions

Rural women face:

Limited access to land and capital
Restricted mobility and market access
High unpaid care burdens
Low participation in decision-making

However, women play a key role in homestead-based agriculture. Chui Jhal cultivation is well-suited to women, as it requires minimal land, moderate labor, and can be managed alongside household responsibilities.

Rationale for Chui Jhal (Piper chaba) Cultivation

Chui Jhal is a traditional spice crop in southern Bangladesh with strong market demand.

Key advantages:

Requires very small land (2–3 decimals sufficient)
Can be grown in saline-prone environments
High market price (BDT 500–1,600/kg)
Nursery-based income possible within one year
Environmentally friendly and biodiversity-supportive
Suitable for backyard and homestead cultivation

This makes Chui Jhal an ideal climate-smart, gender-responsive livelihood option.

Project Goal and Objectives

Overall Goal

To enhance climate resilience, women’s economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods in coastal Satkhira through climate-smart Chui Jhal cultivation.

Specific Objectives

Establish a community-based Chui Jhal nursery managed by women and youth
Build technical capacity of rural women in sustainable Chui Jhal cultivation
Create income-generating opportunities for unemployed youth
Promote eco-friendly, climate-resilient farming practices
Strengthen community resilience and local food systems

Expected Outcomes and Outputs

Outcome 1: Improved Livelihoods and Income Security

At least 120 women earn sustainable income
Average annual income increase of 40–60%

Outcome 2: Women’s Empowerment

Women gain skills, confidence, and leadership roles
Increased decision-making power at household level

Outcome 3: Climate Resilience

Adoption of salt-tolerant, climate-smart farming
Reduced dependency on climate-sensitive crops

Outputs

1 Chui Jhal nursery established
150,000 seedlings produced and distributed
10 training sessions conducted
180 beneficiaries trained
60 youth engaged in nursery and value-chain activities

Project Activities

Activity 1: Community Mobilization and Beneficiary Selection

Community meetings and awareness sessions
Selection of women-headed and climate-affected households

Activity 2: Establishment of Chui Jhal Nursery

Site preparation and infrastructure development
Seed collection and propagation
Nursery management systems

Activity 3: Capacity Building and Training

Sustainable cultivation techniques
Nursery management and pest control
Gender awareness and leadership training
Financial literacy and record keeping

Activity 4: Seedling Distribution and Plantation Support

Distribution of seedlings to beneficiaries
Technical follow-up and mentoring
Demonstration plots

Activity 5: Youth Engagement and Employment

Nursery labor and maintenance
Marketing and transport support
Entrepreneurship training

Activity 6: Market Linkage and Value Chain Development

Linking producers to local markets and traders
Branding and packaging support (future scale-up)

Activity 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Baseline and end-line surveys
Regular progress monitoring
Documentation and knowledge sharing

Implementation Strategy

Community-led approach
Women-first targeting
Youth engagement
Low-cost, scalable model
Partnership with local stakeholders

SESDO will manage implementation with technical guidance from local agricultural experts and community leaders.

Sustainability Strategy

Nursery income ensures financial sustainability
Skills remain within the community
Women-led groups manage nurseries long-term
Reinvestment from seedling sales
Potential for expansion to neighboring unions

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Indicator	Means of Verification
Number of women trained	Training records
Seedlings produced	Nursery logs
Income increase	Household surveys
Survival rate of plants	Field monitoring
Youth employed	Employment records

Risk Analysis and Mitigation

Risk	Mitigation
Extreme weather events	Raised nursery beds, backup seedlings
Market price fluctuation	Diversified buyers
Low participation	Continuous engagement and incentives
Pest/disease	Organic management training

Alignment with SDGs

SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 15: Life on Land

Conclusion

This project presents a practical, scalable, and community-driven solution to climate-induced livelihood challenges in coastal Bangladesh. By empowering women and youth through sustainable Chui Jhal cultivation, SESDO aims to strengthen resilience, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive climate adaptation.