This outcome harvest (OH) detected, analyzed, and substantiated 12 systemic outcomes related to the work of the USAID-funded Rice and Diversified Crops (RDC) Activity. It examined changes related to RDC’s support for six business model innovations related to agro-input distribution, advisory services, agri-machinery, digitalization of agri-businesses, integrated services (bundling inputs, services, and output purchases), and financial inclusion.

The study found that RDC played a significant role (and in some instances is solely responsible) in the emergence of many consequential changes in the performance of agricultural market systems in Southwest Bangladesh. No effort at systemic change is completely free of negative consequences. The study team found that at least two negative outcomes (supply constraints hampering the marketing of new products and digital illiteracy threatening to exclude some marginalized groups) pertained to its work. However, aside from those two outcomes, the 10 positive outcomes identified through this OH tell a larger story of significant boosts in the dynamism, information flow, and growth rates of firms serving farmers in the Activity’s target market systems.