Scaling inclusive rice transplanting mechanization services in Bangladesh

This solution track addresses labour shortages, rising costs and delays in rice establishment in Bangladesh by scaling an inclusive machinery service model for mechanised rice transplanting. Local entrepreneurs provide fee-based transplanting services, supported by women-led seedling enterprises, machinery suppliers, local engineering workshops, after-sales services and tailored financing. Evidence indicates 25–30% lower transplanting costs, yield improvements of up to 10% and reported returns on investment of 35–40% for machinery service providers. The track seeks to strengthen entrepreneurship and commercially sustainable service markets, with a 2028 ambition of reaching 150,000 farm households, expanding mechanised transplanting to approximately 55,000 hectares and increasing participation by service providers and women-led seedling enterprises