Annual Plan 2017-18

Editor in Chief

Maudud R. Safdar

Editors Md. Mizanur Rahman

Sk. Mashudur Rahman Md. Tanvir Ahmed

Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) Kotbari, Comilla November 2017

Annual Plan, 2017-18 Published By: Director General Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) Kotbari, Comilla November 2017 Telephone : 081-60601-6 (PABX) Fax : 081-68406 E-mail : dgbard1959@gmail.com training.bard@gmail.com Website : www.bard.gov.bd Price : Tk. 150.00 US$ 8.00 Printed by: Industrial Press Puratan Chowdhurypara Comilla E-mail- ind.press09@gmail.com

Editorial

Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) convenes a participatory Annual Planning Conference (APC) every year to secure participation, transparency, accountability, and integrity as the four basic principles of good governance. Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan, the forerunner of rural development initiatives in Bangladesh and a legendary social architect initiated this novel practice during the early years of the establishment of BARD. APC provides an opportunity to revisit last year’s performance and formulate a plan for the coming year taking into account the existing national needs and priorities. The APC sets a stage for interface between and among the BARD Faculty Members and academicians, professionals, scholars and practitioners from various organizations and seek their views for formulating a useful annual plan for the upcoming year taking into account the needs of the stakeholders and the national priorities. Such APC has been found useful for smooth functioning of the Academy and many other organizations that originated from BARD. BARD celebrated thes Golden Jubilee of its APC during 5-6 August 2017. About 103 participants from different Ministries, Research Organizations, Government and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and Universities attended the 50th APC of BARD and actively participated in various sessions. This report contains the annual plan 2017-18 of BARD, summaries of discussions of the distinguished participants and their valuable suggestions.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the proficient experts and delegates for their effective and spontaneous participation in the APC and their valuable contributions towards the exercise and the plan document. My sincere appreciation is due to Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Project), Sk. Mashudur Rahman, Joint Director (Development Communication) and Mr. Md. Tanvir Ahmed, Deputy Director (Project) of BARD for their sincere efforts as Convener, Associate Convener and Assistant Convener respectively to make the conference a success. I also thank the authors of various sections of this report, the editors and all other personnel of BARD who were directly or indirectly involved with successful completion of the Golden Jubilee of the BARD’s APC. And with great pleasure I present to you this report and hope you would find the report informative and interesting..

(Maududur R. Safdar) Director General, BARD

& Editorial in Chief

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Abbreviations and Acronyms

AARDO African-Asian Rural Development Organization ADP Annual Development Programme APC Annual Planning Conference BARC Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council BARD Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development BARI Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute BRAC Bangladesh Rural Advancement Comittee BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BCC Bangladesh Computer Council BCS Bangladesh Civil Service BPATC Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre BRB BARD Revenue Budget BRDB Bangladesh Rural Development Board CBMS Community Based Monitoring System CBO Community Based Organisation CBPO Capacity Building of People’s Organization CDMP Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme CIRDAP Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific CU Comilla University CSO Chief Scientific Officer CVDP Comprehensive Village Development Programme CVDCS Comprehensive Village Development Cooperative Society DC Deputy Commissioner DD Deputy Director DG Director General DGHS Directorate General of Health Services DoF Directorate of Fisheries DPHE Department of Public Health Engeering DPP Development Project Proposal DPs Development Partners DU Dhaka University DYD Department of Youth Development ECNEC Executive Committee of National Economic Council ERD External Resources Division ESP External Supported Projects

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FC Faculty Council FGD Focus Group Discussion FMs Faculty Members FTC Foundation Training Course FTFL Fast Track Future Leader FYP Five Year Plan GDP Gross Domestic Product GO Government Organization GoB Government of Bangladesh HH House Hold HRD Human Resource Development HSC Higher Secondary School Certificate ICT Information & Communication Technology IGAs Income Generating Activities IMED Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division IRDP Integrated Rural Development Programme IUB Independent University of Bangladesh JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency KOICA Korean International Cooperation Agency KTCCA Ltd. Kotwali Thana Central Cooperative Association Ltd. LFE Live in Field Experience LGED Local Government Engineering Department LGRD&C Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives LGIs Local Government Institutions LGSP-ll Second Local Governance Support Project LICT Leveraging Information and Communication Technology LLPMS Local Level Poverty Monitoring System MDG Millennium Development Goal MoPA Ministry of Public Administration MoU Memorandum of Understanding MJF Manusher Jannya Foundation MVRD Model Village of Rural Development NAEM National Academy for Education Management NAPD National Academy for Planning and Development NAPE National Academy for Primary Education NARS National Agricultural Research System NGOs Non-Government Organizations

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NILG National Institute of Local Government PEC Project Evaluation Committee PKSF Palli Karma Shayak Foundation PPP Public Private Partnership PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy PPNB Project Proposal for Non Revenue Budget PSO Principal Scientific Officer RD Rural Development RDA Rural Development Academy RDCD Rural Development and Cooperative Division RWP Rural Works Programme SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SCBRMP Sunamgonj Community Based Resource Management Project SDC Swedish Development Cooperation SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SFDF Small Farmer’s Development Foundation SFDP Small Farmers and Landless Labourers Development Programme SFTC Special Foundation Training Course SSC Secondary School Certificate SSRC Social Science Research Council ToT Training of Trainers TQM Total Quality Management TTDC Thana Training and Development Centre UCCAs Upazila Central Cooperative Association UDC Union Development Committee UISC Union Information Service Center UN United Nation UNDP United Nation's Development Programme UNO Upazila Nirbahi Officer UP Union Parishad WEINIP Women's Education, Income and Nutrition Improvement Project

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Contents Items Page Editorial Note i Abbreviations and Acronyms iii 1 Introduction 01 1.1 Background 01 1.2 Participants of the APC 01 1.3 Inaugural Session 02 2 Comments on Working Papers 05 2.1 Training 05 2.2 Research 07 2.3 Action Research 11 3 Group Comments and Suggestions on Training, Research and

Action Research 13

3.1 Group Comments and Suggestions on Training 13 3.2 Group Comments and Suggestions on Research 16 3.3 Group Comments and Suggestions on Action Research 18 4 Annual Plan 2017-18 21 4.1 Training Plan 21 4.2 Research Plan 23 4.3 Action Research Plan 35 5 Concluding Session of the 50th APC 39 6 Annexures 42 Annexure-I Conference Programme 42 Annexure-II List of Participants 44 Annexure-III Address by the Chif Guest in Inagural Session 49 Annexure-IV A Policy Guideline by Director General, BARD 51 Annexure-V Address by the Cheif Guest In Concluding session 57

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1. Introduction 1.1 Background

Rural development is one of the important strategies for development of any country. Bangladesh has no exception to that. Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) is the pioneer of institutional efforts for rural development in Bangladesh. Since early sixties to till date, BARD has discovered innovative solutions to many rural problems and thus through multifarious interventions Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in rural development. BARD has become a leading rural development institute of this country.

BARD was established in 1959 at Comilla and it is an autonomous national institution engaged in conducting research, action research and imparting training to its various clienteles i.e. GO, NGO officials, leaders and functionaries of local government and cooperative organizations to promote rural development in Bangladesh. Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan and some devoted Faculty Members, BARD introduced a participatory planning process through organizing Annual Planning Conference (APC) since its inception in order to review and plan its activities through participation of academics, practitioners and policy makers of rural development. The main objective of the APC is to review the performance of BARD in the last year in the fields of training, research and action research and finalization of the plan for the next year.

Following that tradition, the 50th Annul Planning Conference was held this year during 5-6 August 2017. A wide range of stakeholders of BARD i.e. representatives of various government, non-government and international agencies, professionals and academicians, researchers and scholars of the country along with BARD faculty members participated in formulating the plan 2017-18. The programme of the APC, 2017-18 is attached with this plan document as Annexure-I. Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Project), Sk. Mashudur Rahman, Joint Director (Development Communication) and Mr. Md. Tanvir Ahmed, Deputy Director (Project) were the Convener, Associate Convener and Assistant Convener respectively of the APC, 2017-18.

1.2 Participants of the APC A total of 103 participants having different academic and professional backgrounds participated in this conference. A list of the participants is attached with this plan document as Annexure-II.

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1.3 Inaugural Session

The inaugural session of the APC started on 5th August 2017 in Auditorium-1 of BARD. The session was chaired by Mr. M. Maududur Rashid Safdar, Director General, BARD. Mr. Md. Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, Hon’ble State Minister, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. Swapan Kumar Dasgupta, Director (Training) delivered welcome address while, APC Convener Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Project) briefly introduced the APC to the participants. The Chairperson of the APC, Director General of BARD presented the policy paper to the august participants. Mr. Md. Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, Hon’ble State Minister, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives spoke as the Chief Guest and formally inaugurated the APC. Dr. Kamrul Ahsan, Director (Administration) gave vote of thanks to all. Summary of their speeches are as follows: Welcome Address by Director (Training), BARD

Dr. Swapan Kumar Dasgupta, Director (Training) welcomed the distinguished participants at the beautiful campus of BARD. Recalling Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan, Founder Director of BARD, he mentioned that Dr. Khan started the practice of governance at BARD in the 60’s. The APC initiated by Dr. Khan is a brilliant example of participatory decision making. Dr. Khan felt the needs of institutional infrastructure, administrative infrastructure and physical infrastructure, which were three pillars of the Comilla Model. Later, those were turned into four big programmes and replicated all over the country.

Dr. Dasgupta added that BARD started as a training institute, and later research and action research were also incorporated as functions of BARD. The three functions are mutually supportive. Though during the last few years, Academy’s project performance declined unusually, but in 2016-17 BARD has started implementing two GoB funded projects. Dr. Dasgupta mentioned that Bangladesh achieved commendable growth in GDP and ICT sector over the last years.

Later he expressed his deepest gratitude to the Chief Guest of the inaugural session Mr. Md. Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, Hon’ble State Minister, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives for gracing the occasion with his kind presence.

Director (Training) of BARD, Dr. Swapan Kumar Dasgupta also thanked APC Convener, Associate and Assistant Conveners and others who had been actively involved in organizing the APC. He thanked the representatives of different Ministries and Organizations for attending the 50th APC 2017-2018 of BARD.

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Address by the APC Convener

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Convener of the 50th APC and Director (Project), BARD welcomed the distinguished participants and guests to the conference. He felt proud to be a part of this glorious event. He expressed that the main objective of the APC was to formulate a pragmatic plan of action on the basis of previous year’s experience through incorporating suggestions and requirements from the respected participants. He also described the events of the conference and explained the modus operandi and importance of the APC. He extended his gratitude to the Chief Guest and other guests for taking lot of pains to join this very important occasion of BARD. He conveyed his warmest thanks to the Chairperson Mr. M. Maududur Rashid Safdar, Director General, BARD for policy guideline presentation in the APC and advice to the APC Conveners. He remembered with respect the contributions of faculty members involved in writing reports on training, research and action research.He also thanked all the members of different committeesand service sections. Offering all sorts of co-operation from the APC management and wishing spontaneous participation from the learned participants, he concluded his speech.

Address by the Chief Guest

Mr. Md. Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, Hon’ble State Minister, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and Chief Guest of the inaugural session, at the starting of his speech mentioned that BARD is well known for the Comilla Approach to Rural Development. BARD developed some successful rural development models. Which are being implemented throughout the country. He also mentioned that as a think tank, BARD is playing a vital role in the field of rural development.

Highlighting the development vision and plans of the present government, the Chief Guest said that government aspires to upgrade Bangladesh to an upper middle income country by 2021. In the Perspective Plan the GDP growth rate was targeted at 10% while the 7th Five Year Plan sets GDP growth rate target at 8%. The United Nations has declared SDGs incorporating 17 targets which have also been included in the national plan of Bangladesh. The SDG targets and the 7th Five Year Plan need to be well reflected in the present and future activities of BARD.

In the past BARD evolved many good models under Comilla Approach to Rural Development, like Two tire Cooperative, Rural Works Programe, Thana Training and Development Center, Thana Irrigation Programe, Comprehensive Village

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Development Programme (CVDP) and Small Farmers Development Foundation (SFDF) which were replicated by the government throughout the country. The recent Eco-sanitation experiment of BARD is also an appreciable work. In the coming days, BARD should give more emphasis on action research. He hoped that BARD would retain its reputation through its greater role in addressing the present needs of the rural people. The issues of sustainable development, decentralization and poverty focused development are some burning issues which should not loss focus in the planning exercise of the present APC, the Chief Guest emphasized. Appreciating the practice of APC, he added that this is a very good practice and he felt proud of being a part of this.

The Chief Guest requested the participants to extend their scholastic opinions and suggestions in line with the priorities of the government. He hoped that a pragmatic plan would be the outcome of the APC with the active participation of all participants from different Ministries and Organisations. He thanked BARD for inviting him as the Chief Guest of the opening session. Finally, he wished the 50th APC a great success. The full of the speech is given in Annexure-III Presentation of Policy Guidelines by the Director General, BARD Mr. M. Maududur Rashid Safdar, Director General, BARD was the Chairperson of the 50th Annual Planning Conference of BARD. Heconveyed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the honorable Chief Guest and other participants. He mentioned that BARD traditionally organized this Annual Planning Conference which ensures the transparency, accountability and participation and articulates the suggestions of the stakeholders for the betterment of its future plan and activities. He also informed the audience of some important events arranged by BARD in recent past namely the visit program of the 136th Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly of Speakers of the world and the TC-32 meeting of CIRDAP. He also mentioned the recent Rapid Rural Appraisal conducted in the Haor area to make some recommendations to enrich the Haor Master Plan. He also mentioned the important research works conducting by BARD with their relevancy with the Charter for Change (2008), Perspective Plan (2010-2021), Vision 2021, 7th FYP (2016-2020) and SDGs (2016-2030). He chalked out some areas of development in which government have special concern and wished BARD will play an active pragmatic role by its training, research and action research programs. Finally he concluded his speech by thanking the distinguished participants for attending at the APC. He also thanked Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Project) and his team for their tremendous effort to make the APC a successful event. (Full text of the Policy Guideline is given in Annexure-IV)

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Vote of Thanks by Director (Administration), BARD Dr. Kamrul Ahsan, Director (Administration) delivered his vote of thanks. First of all, he extended his warm thanks and gratitude to the Chief Guest for taking pains to make the conference successful with his kind presence. He appreciated the distinguished participants for their active support and cooperation. He also extended thanks to their nominating authorities. Finally, Dr. Ahsan thanked Director General, Director (Training), Conference Convener, Associate and Assistant Conveners, Faculty Members and all relevant sections for their active supports and contributions to make the conference successful.

2. Comments on the Working Papers The inaugural session was followed by the presentations of three working papers on Training, Research and Action Research respectively containing the performance of the last financial year and draft plan for the next financial year. After the presentations of the above mentioned papers the learned participants passed their comments and suggestions on the working papers. The comments on individual papers are mentioned below: 2.1 Comments on the Working Paper on Training

The presentation on working paper on Training was held on 05 August 2017 at 09:30 am in the BARD Auditorium-1. The session was Chaired by Mr. M. Maududur Rashid Safdar, Director General, BARD and Additional Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh. At the outset the Chairperson welcomed Dr. Swapan Kumar Dasgupta, Director (Training) to deliver his presentation on training performance of 2016-17 and plan for 2017-18. In this session Mr. Ranjon Kumar Guha (Joint Director), Mr. Salauddin Ibne Sayed (Deputy Director) and Dr. Bimol Chandra Karmakar (Assistant Director) act as the rapporteurs. Dr. Dasgupta presented the working paper on training following the instruction of the Chairperson. He informed that the total number of courses organized during 2016-17 were 137 where 5496 participants attended against a plan of 162 and 5175 respectively. He also mentioned that in the meantime 18 organizations showed their training interest to organize 234 training courses for 9225 participants during 2017-18. After his presentation the Chairperson thanked Dr. Dasgupta for his nice presentation and mentioned that the achievement of training in-terms of percentage of some categories of courses varied from cent percent to 236 percent, which was praiseworthy. However, regarding the achievement in organizing self-initiated training courses, attachment courses for the students and sponsored courses by other organizations was not up to the marks. He requested Training Division to continue its endeavor to maintain close contact with the respective institutions in future. He also added that effectiveness of a training course depends on its contents and use of effective methods. BARD has been using a combination of

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participatory training methods along with lecture cum discussion method. Recently, BARD has been changing its training methods following the directives of honourable principal coordinator of SDGs in the Prime Minister’s office, Dhaka during social media dialogue with different training institutes. Regarding physical facilities of BARD, he pointed out that the most of the physical facilities of BARD were developed in the sixties, as a result the physical facilities of BARD may lack modern training amenities. This problem occurs due to lack of budget allocation. However, he deemed that accommodation facilities, classroom and other concomitant facilities would be developed within a couple of years under the ongoing physical Facilities development project. Then he opened the floor for discussion, queries and suggestions, propositions, suggestions made by the audiences and responses by the Director General are as follows:

Mr. Sudhangshu Shekhor Roy, Chairperson, Printing and Publication Department, University of Dhaka, requested BARD to increase the number of training courses on Research Methodology. Sharing his experience on attending a training course at BARD he mentioned that, he was very much impressed by attending the training course. He requested BARD to increase interaction with the University of Dhaka by exchanging journals, Books and arranging exchange visits. He requested BARD to set up the book stall in a more visible place of Bangla Academy during the Omar Ekushe Boimela. He also requested to keep a slot for organizing a training course for the students of Printing and Publication Department of the University of Dhaka. Director General, BARD highly appreciated his idea and requested him to place his detailed proposal officially to BARD authority.

Mr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Chief, Secondary and Higher Secondary Division expressed that he has a good experience of attending attachment training programme at BARD as a part of his Foundation Training Course of BPATC. He added that, information relating to diversified training activities BARD is not publicized widely. So, he requested to increase publicity of training programmes through mass media. He also requested BARD to contact different Ministries to send their training demand/need to BARD. Emphasizing on developing physical facilities of BARD he mentioned that BARD need to develop its facilities to satisfy the trainees. Moreover, he proposed to organize training programme on “Disaster Management” and set up a laboratory for GIS and remote sensing. In addition, he opined that BARD can offer PhD degree by enhancing its Faculty’s capacity. In response to the proposal for establishing laboratory for GIS and remote sensing Director General, BARD informed the house that BARD is going to get support from CIRDAP regarding GIS and remote sensing. Under this arrangement two experts from India will extend their support for building capacity of a core team member of BARD through organizing ToT course. However, he differs with the suggestion on offering PhD degree and he further informed the audience that BARD is in fact engaged in its

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real job i.e. wellbeing of rural people. But regarding professional development of the Faculty Members of BARD, his response was affirmative.

Ms. Rehana Yasmin, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Planning proposed to introduce booking money who promised to organize training programme at BARD. She requested BARD to keep provision for renovation of physical facilities from the revenue budget. As regards to the contents of Special Foundation Training Course for the BCS Health Officials she underscored the need for incorporating rules and regulation of basic services so that the participants can be benefited by using those in their practical job situation. Director General, BARD informed that some of the topics have already been incorporated in the contents of SFTC. However he will ventilate the idea at the curriculum finalization meeting at BPATC that is going to be organized very soon. In case of booking money Director General BARD declined the idea because at this moment BARD is using almost its full training capacity.

Ms. Eva Benita A-Tuazon, Director CIRDAP, informed that OECD, Korea is agreed to facilitate a conference on “One house, one farm” in Korea Policy Center, Incheon aiming at disseminating ideas of smart cities. She informed that the OECD authority has agreed to provide venue and arrange study tour in Incheon. She further elaborates that as Bangladesh is moving faster in urbanization and some project areas of CVDP and OHOF have already been transformed into semi-urban areas and she deems that based on such a reality the concept of smart city may be relevant. Moreover, she added that there is a scope to transform growth centres into smart cities. In this prevailing context, she requests BARD and RDA to come forward to organize an international conference in Incheon, Korea. Ms. Eva Tuazon, assured her all out supports to facilitate this endeavor.

Director General, BARD emphasised that CIRDAP and BARD is inseparable entity. He requested CIRDAP for active persuasion on that matter and to take some special programmes for developing countries like Bangladesh. Finally the Chairperson thanked the audience for their interest and supplementation and declared closing of the session.

2.2 Comments on the Working Paper on Research The session on presentation of working paper on Research of BARD was chaired by Dr. M. Solaiman, former Additional Director General of BARD. In his brief introductory speech, the Chairperson described the sequence of the session and the expected role of the participants. Following his introduction, the working paper on Research was presented by Dr. Kamrul Ahsan, Director (Research). In this session, Mr. Newaz Ahmed Chowdhury, Joint Director; Mr. Abdullah Al Hussain, Deputy

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Director and Ms. Rakhi Nandi, Assistant Director acted as the rapporteurs. At the very beginning of the presentation Dr. Ahsan provided a brief description on how research studies are initiated, approved and implemented. Dr. Ahsan’s presentation highlighted the research areas, processes, budget, dissemination, publication etc issues. Following the presentation, there was a question-answer session. The brief of the discussions are follows:

Mr. Md. Iqbal Hossain, Principal, Bangladesh Cooperative Academy informed the house that BARD has been working with Two-tier Cooperatives since its inception in the 60s. BARD initiated IRDP has been transformed into BRDB. He requested BARD to conduct studies on identifying the existing weaknesses of Krishok Shomobay Samiti (KSS) and the process of revitalization.

Md. Azam-E-Sadat, Deputy Secretary, Rural Development and Cooperative Division, opined that research findings of BARD are not disseminated to all relevant persons. He added that Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan initiated the micro credit concept in this region. But it is not widely known to the common people. He mentioned that there have been many research studies in BARD since its inception. Mr. Azam suggested to undertake a study on implications of the studies. He also mentioned that this could be a point to recognize contribution of BARD. He also thanks BARD for conducting hoar studies that could helps making action plan for hoar area development.

Dr. Eva Tuazon, Director, CIRDAP, recalled the role of Comilla Model in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world. She reiterated that this Comilla Model has shown the way of participatory development and this should be continued. She also requested BARD to find a possibility to setting up a sub-centre at BARD for public private partnership for greater contribution to SDGs.

Md. Zakir Hossain, Deputy Director, National Agricultural Training Academy (NATA), Gazipur wished to know how research findings act as an input in training and action research activities at BARD. He requested the presenter to give specific answer on his query.

Dr. Shudangshu Shekhar Roy, Chairperson, Publication and Printing Department, University of Dhaka requested BARD to organize research methodology course for more than once in a year. He also wanted to know the process publicity of research findings. He suggested to take research on Role of Media in rural development. He requested BARD to investigate and find ways to utilize the potentials of about 5000 rural correspondents in Bangladesh who are not competent enough.

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Begum Ashrafunnessa, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance, was curious to know how many research findings of BARD contributed to policy implications to fulfill the political will of the Government. She suggested to take a study on “One Product One Village” by BARD. She suggested to follow bottom-up planning approach for community development and women empowerment.

Dr. Sheikh Harunur Rashid, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock inquired that as BARD’s training is supported by research and action research activities, how come BARD completed only 12 self-initiated courses? He also added that as BARD act emphasized 4 out of 8 mandated functions on research. So, BARD should conduct more research to make BARD as ‘centre of excellence’ though research.

Dr. Md. Akkas Ali, Chief Scientific Officer, BARI, informed the house that BARI has developed different kinds of adaptive technologies through Farming Systems Research which could be helpful for the agricultural development of the country. BARD could use these technologies in it’s project areas. He also suggested that BARD and BARI can work together for poverty alleviation and achieving various targets envisaged in 7th FYP and SDGs.

Mr. Md Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Chief, Planning Commission, referring to one of the proposed studies of BARD (Remittance Flow and Migration), wanted to know whether there is any negative impact of remittance flow and migration in the rural society of Bangladesh.

Mr. Johirul Islam Bhuiya, Manager, Panchkitta CVDCS, requested BARD to take research focusing on the Two-tier Cooperatives system. He informed that BARD should take research only on the socio-economic development of the rural people through village- based cooperative system.

Mr. Abu Taher, Chairman, Deedar CVDCS, requested BARD to nourish the concept of “One Village One Institution” as it is practiced by CVDP. He informed the house that currently the activities of CVDP weakened due to the absence of financial flow.

Mrs. Ranuara Begum, Namtola Women Cooperative Society, informed the house that her society started the journey in 1989 with one taka savings and 10 taka share. Now following the concept of Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan, all the society members have developed and their capital have grown up and they are distributing loans from their own savings. She emphasis on giving training to members on various development activities.

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Director General, BARD Mr. M Maududur Rashid Safdar informed the house that many lights have been shed on BARD activities from different angles which means that participants are interested in BARD activities. He informed the house that BARD has been working relentlessly on the Local Government through UP and Cooperative Societies. Referring to the research findings influencing the life of common people, he informed the house that BARD has recently completed a research on social security programs with the help of Manosher Jonya Foundation (MJF) by developing a complete database of all households. He added that BARD is not complacent with its present achievement and will continue to work hard to achieve more successes. He also referred that BARD is addressing the failure of the cooperative societies through studying Ektee Bari Ektee Khamar project and the present status of Government’s micro credit sector by conducting another study. He uttered that BARD is being chased by “presence of the past”. He also informed the house that BARD is working hard to develop the common people of nearby areas through initiating various programs under Lalmai-Moinamoti project. Besides BARD has also taken up a research to evaluate the past BARD activities influencing the Government policy. BARD is continuing it’s pro-poor, pro-children, pro-women activities to change the socio-economic condition of rural masses.

Dr.Kamrul Ahsan, presenter of the working paper, informed the house that all the comments of the participants would be taken in consideration and BARD would continue its effort to improve its activities. He informed the house that BARD can take initiatives on utilizing the potential role of media, particularly in rural development, as proposed by one participant. He added that during the recent Bhutan visit of the Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, one MoU was signed between BARD and Royal University of Bhutan. BARD could also work with BARI for disseminating different technologies in the rural areas and BARD should think of other means of disseminating research findings amongst various clientele groups in addition to the Research Highlights Seminar. On the query ‘how research findings act as an input in training and action research activities, Dr. Ahsan informs the audience that the faculty members of BARD share the relevant research findings with the participants of different training sessions.

After the multi-facet discussions, Dr. M Solaiman, Chairperson of the session, thanked Director (Research) for his nice deliberations and informative presentation. He added that BARD works with primary raw data collected from the field, but not used to work with very sophisticated research. He informed the house that BARD should not take research projects on many different aspects and rather it should focus on the vital aspects of rural development only. BARD can focus its study on Local Government, Cooperative Society, Training Need Assessment and Post Training Utilization. Finally, he thanked all the participants for their lively and active participation before concluding his speech.

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2.3 Comments on the Working Paper on Action Research This session was chaired by Dr. Jahangir Alam, former Director General, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and currently Vice-chancellor of a private university. Before presentation, he expressed his gratitude to BARD for providing him opportunity to chair the session. Then he welcomed all the participants to enjoy the presentation. At this stage, Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Project), BARD presented the detailed project activities of BARD that were performed in 2016-17 along with future plan for the financial year of 2017-18.

In his presentation, Mr. Rahman highlighted on-going project activities under the ADP programme of the government and revenue budget of BARD. He presented progress of these projects. He also discussed objectives and major components of the on-going projects as well as newly enlisted two projects in the green page of ADP 2017-18 that were proposed by BARD recently. Then, he has pointed out 23 titles and objectives of the new project proposals proposed by the faculty members of BARD for the coming year of 2017-18 which focus on various issues of rural development. He also mentioned action taken by BARD with regard to suggestions given by participants in the previous APC, 2016-17. He concluded his presentation mentioning some suggestions with respect to improvement of project activities of BARD. Feedback from Participants

After the presentation of working paper on Action Research, the Chairperson congratulated the presenter for his well-organized presentation on project activities of BARD. Before opening up the floor, he commented that all the ideas presented here seem to be useful for rural development of Bangladesh. Then, he requested all the participants to provide their feedback shortly and pin-pointedly mentioning their self-introduction. In this regard, a number of participants have made some comments and suggestions. These are as follows:

Dr. Md. Mohiuddin, Principal Research Officer, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute expressed that the title of a project should be more self-explanatory. He illustrated that the project titled as “Women Education, Income and Nutrition Improvement Project (WENIP)” does not make any clear understanding about main components of project as well as selection of the beneficiaries.

Dr. Muhammed Solaiman, former Additional Director General, BARD has pointed out a number of issues. He mentioned that BARD was the pioneer institute in conduction action research from early 1960s. Referring components of Lalmai-Mainamoti Livelihood Improvement Project, he proposed to include more new ideas related to technological improvement. In addition, he opined

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that many new interventions proposed in new project proposal could be integrated in the on-going project, Comprehensive Village Development Programme (CVDP). He has emphasized that BARD needs to undertake project on improved cattle breeding as well as expansion of milch cows by involving rural community. In this regard, he suggested that BARD could share experience of RDA.

Referring to Women Education, Income and Nutrition Improvement Project (WENIP), he raised an issue that the project has been experimented for a long time, so now it is essential to think how to expand all over the country. He further expressed that BARD should explore existing art of management of community clinics and public health in order to propose new projects on the issue of health and sanitation.

Finally, he pointed out that there should be a thorough research before taking any project. He opined that action research should be based on suggestions of research. In this regard, he expressed that BARD should think more rigorously before undertaking any new projects particularly on Char development and crop insurance.

Ms. Elora Sharmeen, Programme Officer, CIRDAP has suggested that BARD should undertake action research on climate change issues with regard to coping mechanism on disaster involving community people.

Dr. Aminul Islam, Associate Professor, Comilla University has expressed that currently agricultural land in the rural areas of Bangladesh remains underutilized due to many circumstances. For example, tenants are not much eager to take lease of land. On the other hand, value of agriculture land in many cases is gradually reducing. Hence, agricultural land is not adequately utilized. In this regard, he proposed to undertake one action research focusing on contact farming system or cooperative approach of interested farmers.

Dr. Sheikh Harunur Rashid, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock pointed out that establishment of fish sanctuary based on the findings of research of BARD and other institute has shown a positive result to preserve rare varieties of indigenous fish species of Bangladesh. In this regard, he suggested that BARD could take more action researches for fish conservation as well as other projects based on findings of some researches conducted so far.

Mr. Md. Abu Taher, Manager Deedar Cooperative Society opined that the proposed solar-based deep-tubewell for irrigation purpose would be helpful for sustainable water supply because electricity failure is very frequent. In this regard, he requested BARD to include Deedar Samity as one of project beneficiaries.

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Concluding Remarks of Chairperson Dr. Jahangir Alam, former Director General, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and Vice-chancellor of a private university thanked all the participants for their valuable comments and opinions. He emphasised on intensification of the diverse project ideas in order to ensure proper use of resources and to minimize cost of investment. He pointed out that rural development projects need to have special focus on reducing poverty and income inequality in the present context of Bangladesh. BARD could take more action researches in this regard. He expressed that it is essential to build a strong linkage and network among institutes working in the field of agricultural development. Finally, he opined that BARD could take research and action research to fulfill the changing needs and demands in the context of present situation.

3 Group Comments and Suggestions on Training, Research and Action Research

On the second day of the APC, the participants were divided into three groups for in-depth discussion on three papers to prepare the annual plan 2017-18 of BARD on training, research and action research. Later, the comments and suggestions of the groups and the tentative plans were presented in the final plenary session by the rapporteurs of respective divisions. Group comments and suggestions are as follows: 3.1 Group Comments and Suggestions on Training

The group discussion on training was held on 06 August 2017 at 09:00 am in the class room -02. The session was chaired by Mr. Azam E. Sadat, Deputy Secretary of Rural Development and Cooperative Division. The Chairperson mentioned that BARD is a reputed organization at home and abroad. Requesting participants to participate in the discussion for preparing a pragmatic training plan he opened the floor. After discussion the following training courses were considered for implementation.

Sl. No.

Title of the Course Number of Courses

Sponsor(s) Suggestions

A International Training 1. Workshop on

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals : Financial Inclusion and Rural Transformation

01 AARDO Proposal Accepted

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Sl. No.

Title of the Course Number of Courses

Sponsor(s) Suggestions

2. In Search International Conference

01 DU Title need to be clarified. Suggested topic: International Conference : Governance in Rural Development

3.

Training Course on Rural Development and Contemporary Issues

01 Mizoram State Govt.,

India

Proposal accepted; Incorporate Field Visit

B National Courses 1. Foundation Training

Course for BCS Cadre officials of MoPA

01 Ministry of Public

Administration

Proposal accepted

2. Special Foundation Training Course for BCS (Health) Cadre Officials

08 DGHS Number of course should be reduced; MoH can be informed to develop their own training institutes; Content should be redesigned so that they can provide better services through their changed mindset by training;

3. Special Foundation Training Course for LGED Engineers

01 LGED Proposal accepted

4. Live in Field Experience for CIU Students

02 IUB Proposal accepted

5. Attachment Programme for University Students

04 CU/CoU/ RU

Proposal accepted

6. Attachment Course on Rural Development and Poverty Reduction

03 BPATC/RDA

Proposal accepted

7.

Development Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

01 FAO Proposal accepted

8. Entrepreneurship Development

75 EBEK Proposal accepted

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Sl. No.

Title of the Course Number of Courses

Sponsor(s) Suggestions

9.

পাবসেসর মা েম দাির াসকরণ ও পিরক ণা ণয়ন িবষয়ক িশ ণ

05 LGED Proposal accepted

C Professional Training Courses

1. Self-initiated Training Course

12 GO/NGO Number of courses should be rationalized and research findings should be shared in these courses

2. Workshop/Seminar/Conference

10 BARD Proposal accepted

3. Project Level Training Course for Benificiaries

88 LALMAI, WEINIP,

Dairy Dev. Project

Proposal accepted

4. Orientation Programme on Rural Development for Visitors

25 BARD Proposal accepted

Total 238 --

Some Opinions and Observations 1. NAEM requested BARD to keep a slot for NAEM’s Foundation Training

Courses. 2. Foundation course is a specialized training course and therefore this should be

dealt with due manner and sanctity. As BARD has long experience of conducting foundation training course, so BARD can continue this practice with its proven expertise.

3. A project could be developed for capacity building of the Faculty Members of BARD under ADP. BPATC has a Faculty Development Project through which they provide facilities to their Faculties regarding their professional development.

4. BARD should prepare a long term training course on Rural development. If necessary at the initial stage the course could be organized under a project to attract more people.

5. NAEM has been organizing satellite training course at the local level. BARD could also think about it to reduce its training load.

6. A training course could be designed on Protection and Conservation of Rural Environment.

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7. A training module for the reporters/local journalist of the print and electronic media can be developed.

8. Self initiated training course on “Research Methodology” needs to be redesigned with more practical exercise. Specially, issues on standard report writing and proposal preparation should be dealt with professional manner.

9. BARC representative suggested to organize two courses on Financial and Administrative Management for the CSOs and PSOs.

10. BARD may open up a new wing for global searching for professional development of faculties and building networks with academics and professional institutes.

Finally thanking the group members for their active participation the Chairperson mentioned that it seems BARD is overburdened with their activities. In that perspective he emphasized on increasing the strength of Faculty and Staff of BARD.

3.2 Group Comments and Suggestions on Research

The group report preparation and finalization of research plan was held in the first floor of the Library of BARD. The session was chaired by Dr. Jahangir Alam, Ex-DG, BLRI. At the beginning, Dr. Kamrul Ahsan, Director (Research) briefed the participants the details of current years plan. After thorough discussion on every newly proposed research proposal, the following suggestions have been put forward to the house:

Sl. No.

Title of the Study Researchers Comments of the House

01. Revisiting the ‘Tour of Twenty Thanas’

Researchers to be selected

Accepted Research method should be described precisely Title and objectives should be reframed keeping in mind the changes over five decades

02. Understanding the Livelihood Pattern of the Migratory Labours: A Case of Comilla District of Bangladesh

Junaed Rahim Accepted Title should be reframed. The word should be ‘Labourers’, not ‘Labour’. Study area should cover Nilphamari, Kurigram and Gaibandha including Comilla to assess the Livelihood

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Sl. No.

Title of the Study Researchers Comments of the House

Pattern of the Migratory Labourers

03. Interrelation between Socio-Economic Condition and Dietary Diversity in Rural Areas of Bangladesh: Analyzing the Determinants of Food Security

Abdullah Al Mamun Rakhi Nandi

Accepted Study sample should be representative (e.g. all divisions). Need to explain how the study will analyse determinants of food security. Consciousness and knowledge level at the HH level should be considered. To study dietary diversity, past national level study findings need to be consulted.

04. Strengthening Comprehensive Village Development Programme (CVDP): Experiences, Rural Changes and Outline of Institutional Sustainability

Dr. Md. Kamrul Hasan

Accepted Title and Objective should be reframed With and without and before-after situation should be reflected A section on way-forward should be included

05. Development Process, Rural Transformation: Potentials and Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship Development

Dr. Md. Kamrul Hasan Nasima Akhter

Accepted Title, Objective and scope should be reframed Titled should be reframed as study on Rural Transformation and Social Entrepreneurship Development CVDP Project area should be excluded Rigorous literature review needed

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Sl. No.

Title of the Study Researchers Comments of the House

06. Present Conditions of Homestead Plantation in Comilla: A Case Study of Four Villages

Newaz Ahmed Chowdhury Md. Saleh Ahamed

Accepted Title should be renamed as Changing Pattern of Homestead Plantation Study area and sample should be representative

07. Adoption of ICT in Local Government Institutes in a Developing Country: An Empirical Study on Bangladesh Rural Local Government

Fouzia Nasreen Sultana Kazi Sonia Rahman Sharmin Shahria

Accepted Title should be reframed

Proposed New Study Areas

BARD has recently conducted a study in haor areas. Based on this experience BARD could initiate an action research project titled “Livelihood Improvement in Haor Areas”.

Comilla is famous for Khadi/Khoddor product. BARD can initiate a study on “Problems and Prospects of Khadi Industry”.

Studies should be initiated on the backward sections of the citizens such as Kamar, Kumor, Tati etc communities.

Since disability is increasing in the population (particularly in rural areas) studies should be conducted on disabled people in the rural areas.

Influence as well as scope of mass media is increasing in the country. In this context, a study could be undertaken on the Role of Rural Correspondents in Community Development in Bangladesh.

3.3 Group Comments and Suggestions on Action Research

The group discussion on Action Research held on 6th August 2017 at the Auditorium-1 of BARD. The session was chaired by Mr. M. A. Matin, Director General, RDA, Bogra. A total of 26 distinguished participants attended the session. Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director (Project) of BARD introduced the Chairperson of

19

the session to the participants and requested him to preside over the session. After detail discussions about different ongoing and newly proposed projects, the following suggestions were taken:

1. Though the ongoing “Lalmai-Moynamoti” project of BARD is part of “Ektee Bari Ektee Khamar”, however the new and additional components of the “Lalmai-Moynamoti” project could be re-arranged and prepare a new project proposal need to be prepared. Specially for reducing the poverty in rural areas by distributing cattle could be included as a component of that project.

2. BARD should take strong initiatives to start the 3rd phase of the CVDP project.

3. The ongoing project of BARD titled “Women’s Education, Income, and Nutritional Improvement Project” could be extended in all Upazila of Comilla district.

4. Before submitting any new project proposal, BARD must do a feasibility study on the respective topic or use the results of the previous related research as reference.

5. New project proposal (DPP) which is presented in the APC working paper needs to revisit to avoid the duplication and overlapping.

6. To strengthen the activities of KTCCA a new project could be developed by BARD. It is also suggested to involve KTCCA with the existing on-going projects of BARD.

7. The group suggested taking a project to enhance the production of specialized products in the region. In that case, improving backward and forward linkage of “Comilla Khadi” could be considered as specialized product to work on.

8. The group suggested preparing some guideline and policy measures to promote the SME in the rural areas of Bangladesh to get enough funding from different financial institutions.

9. A project could be developed to enhance the linkage with the cooperative market of BRDB.

10. The group also suggested taking new projects on agricultural food processing and disseminating other technology specially to empower the rural women.

11. Mechanization of agriculture has already started in the rural areas of Bangladesh. But due to absence of technicians, farmers are often helpless to repair their machineries when these machines do not functioning properly. In that regard, a project is suggested to make skilled technicians in the rural areas.

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12. There is a strong suggestion from the house to develop a waste management project for the Nimsar Vegetable Market in Comilla.

13. The group recommended having a through revision of the newly proposed Action Research in terms of title, objectives and the project areas. The proposed Action Research project are as follows;

Sl. No. Title of the Proposed Action Research (Project)

Comments from the House

1 Nutrition Security and Advancement of Adolescent Girls through Strengthening Community Clinics

The proposed

projects need to be revisited to eliminate the overlapping.

2 Capacity Building of Youths to be Overseas Skilled Workers(CBYOSW)

3 Ecological Sanitation- An Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Sanitation and Environmental Management in Bangladesh

4 Community Development Project for Achieving Sustainable Rural Development

5 Advancement of Vulnerable Rural Women with Technical Support

6 Rural Technology Park & Model Museum: Development and Digitalized Linking to Rural Societies

7 Strengthening Village Based Organization and Networking for Social Wellbeing

8 Improving Rural Production and Marketing System Through Establishing SMART Union Township

9 Promoting Livelihood of Marginalized Communities in Comilla District

10 Integrated Development of Upazilas 11 Sustainable Livelihoods of Rural Communities through

Climate Change Resilient Agricultural Practices in Noakhali Char Areas/Chittagong Coastal Areas

12 Development of Bangladesh through Establishment of Digital Village

13 Developing Skills for the Potential Oversees Workers and Youth in the Rural Areas of Bangladesh

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14 ICT Centre and Language Club 15 Women Entrepreneurship through Developing Resource

Centre in Union Parishad 16 Physical Education, Rural Sports for School and College

Students for Good Health and Life Style Development 17 Enhancement of Agricultural Production through Solar

Power Irrigation System 18 Increasing Income and Nutritional Status of Rural

People living in “Char” Land by Introducing Zink Fortified Rice Varieties and Vitamin “A” Enriched Crop Production

19 Promotion of Comprehensive Livelihoods for Marginal Indigenous Fishermen

20 Agricultural Insurance for Sustainable Crop Production 21 Increasing Capacity of Village Police to Enhance the

Activities of Union Parishad 22 Networking Village Based Organizations Under CVDP

of BARD for Social Wellbeing

4 Annual Plan 2017-18 After threadbare discussion in different sessions, the tentative Annual Plan 2017-18 on Training, Research and Action Research were prepared. After the APC, the training, research and action research plans were further reviewed by the respective divisions and finalized through consultation with the Director General, BARD. 4.1 Training Plan 2017-18

On the basis of demand from different organizations and the feedback of the participants of the APC, the training plan of BARD is prepared. For initiation of discussions, BARD seeks training proposals from relevant organizations and different Divisions of BARD prior to APC. As of now, BARD has received request of organizing training courses from 6 organizations. Based on previous experiences and demand from various organizations the tentative training courses to be organized by BARD during 2017-18 are shown in Table-5.

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Table-05: Training Plan of BARD 2017-18

Sl. No. Title of the Courses

Number of

Courses

Duration of the

Course (Days)

Number of Participants Sponsors

A International 1. Training Course -- -- -- -- 2. International Training

Workshop on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals : Financial Inclusion and Rural Transformation

01 09 20 AARDO

3. In Search International Conference 01 02 100 BARD/DU

4. Orientation Programme 01 05 15 - B National Courses

1. Foundation Training Course for BCS Cadre officials of MoPA

01 180 50

Ministry of Public

Administration

2. Special Foundation Training Course for BCS (Health) Cadre Officials

08 60 400 DGHS

3. Special Foundation Training Course for LGED Engineers

01 60 40 LGED

4. Live in Field Experience for CIU Students 02 12 150 IUB

5. Attachment Programme for University Students 04 10 300 CU/CoU/RU

6. Attachment Course on Rural Development and Poverty Reduction for BCS Cadre Officials

03 12 330 BPATC

Professional Training Course

7.a Self-initiated Training Course 12 05 240 BARD/ Projects

7.b Training Courses Sponsored by Other Organizations

10 05 450 BRAC/MJF/ PABASAS

8. Workshop/Seminar/ Conference 02 01 130 BARD

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Sl. No. Title of the Courses

Number of

Courses

Duration of the

Course (Days)

Number of Participants Sponsors

9. Project Level Training Course for Beneficiaries 88 03 2500 EBEK

(Lalmai)/ WEINIP)

10. Training on Entrepreneurship Development for beneficiaries of the Ekti

75 05 3750 EBEK

11. Orientation Programme on various Organizations 25 01 750 GO/NGO/

Universities Total 234 - 9225 --

4.2 Research Plan 2017-18

SL No.

Title of the Research Researchers

1 Revisiting the ‘Tour of Twenty Thanas’ To be Selected 2 Understanding the Livelihood Pattern of the

Migratory Labours: A Case of Comilla District of Bangladesh

Junaed Rahim

3 Interrelation between Socio-Economic Condition and Dietary Diversity in Rural Areas of Bangladesh: Analyzing the Determinants of Food Security

Abdullah Al Mamun Rakhi Nandi

4 Strengthening Comprehensive Village Development Programme (CVDP): Experiences, Rural Changes and Outline of Institutional Sustainability

Md. Kamrul Hasan, PhD

5 Development Process, Rural Transformation: Potentials and Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship Development

Md. Kamrul Hasan PhD Nasima Akhter

6 Present Conditions of Homestead Plantation in Comilla: A Case Study of Four Villages

Newaz Ahmed Chowdhury Md. Saleh Ahmed

7 Adoption of ICT in Local Government Institutes in a developing country: An empirical study on Bangladesh Rural Local Government

Fouzia Nasreen Sultana Kazi Sonia Rahman Sharmin Shahria

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Synopsis of Proposed Researches 01. Title: Revisiting the ‘Tour of Twenty Thanas’ a. Objectives of the Study The main objective of the research is to revisit the twenty thanas of Comilla District that was visited by Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan in 1970-71.

The specific objectives of the research are:

to find out the socio-economic conditions of the people of the selected areas;

to assess how the four components of the Comilla Model are functioning in the selected areas;

to draw a recommendation on the basis of the findings. b. Justification of the Study Dr. Akhter Khan, the founder director of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), visited the twenty thanas of Comilla District from 21st December 1970 to 28th January 1971 to observe minutely what was happening in Comilla District. He followed ethnographic style for this research. He interviewed the circle officers and the co-operative project officers, listened to the demand and grievances of managers and chairmen of village cooperatives and discussed at length with the project staff to understand their difficulties. He wanted to assess how the four pragrammes of Comilla Model were functioning in the district. The four programmes are:

i) Thana Training and Development Centre (TTDC) ii) Rural Works Programmes (RWP) iii) Thana Irrigation Programme (TIP) iv) The Cooperative Project (TCP)

These four programmes were selected because they were the innovative programmes based on the experimentation of BARD, Comilla (then PARD, Comilla) in Comilla Kotwali thana. These are now active as full department such as RWP is now Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), TTDC concept is used for Upazila (Thana is now Upazila) Campus for one stop service delivery for rural people, TCP is now Bangladesh Rural Development Board, and TIP is taken and implemented by Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BARD). These are success story of BARD. These are successfully working for the development of the country for four decades. BARD has decided to revisit these programmes of Comilla Approach to provide policy support to the government for improvement. In

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Public Administration and Management, revisit is important because after certain period organizations or department needs to change working process or even objectives and vision to cope with the changing nature of the demand of the citizen or the customer. c. Research Methods The study will be conducted in same twenty upazilas (or thanas) of Comilla District that was visited by Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan in 1970-71. The functionaries of the modified four programmes will be the respondents of the study. Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used to collect data for this research. 02. Title: Understanding the Livelihood Pattern of the

Migratory Labours: A Case of Comilla District of Bangladesh

a. Objective of the Study The general objective of the study is to analyze the changes in demographic and livelihood pattern of the rural people through migration. The specific objectives of the study are:

to examine the causes of migration of the rural people from northern part of the country to Comilla district;

to analyze the livelihood pattern and demographic changes of the migrated rural people;

to examine the involvement of migrated rural people in income generation. b. Research Methods The research will be carried out following both qualitative and quantitative method. To fulfill the objectives of the study both primary and secondary data will be used. A problem structure will be formulated following the theoretical framework of the literature review. This problem structure will be validated and rationalized through the study findings. Data will be collected through random sampling. Three approaches will be followed to collect data: questionnaire survey, in-depth interview and case study. The study area will be mainly Comilla district where the migrant labouor involve themselves in income generation. Moreover, two districts namely Nilfamari and Kurigram will be taken as study area to examine the current trends of rural people. Data will be presented through in-depth analysis. Results will be presented through graphical explanation like pie chart, bar chart etc. which have given a concrete insight of the situation of the study areas. In analyzing the data MS Excel

26

will be used as a tool for drawing simple percentage and graphs. Moreover, the content analysis will be done depending on the secondary data that includes tabular and graphical explanation. The primary data analysis will also be supplemented by secondary data to validate the actual happenings at the grassroots level. The following methodological framework will be followed to present the data:

c. Justification of the Study Rural to urban migration is quite a common phenomenon in the context of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a predominant rural society where 80% of the total population lives (World Bank, 2011). Every year people migrate to urban from rural areas which are due to a number of socio-economic causes. It is evident that rapid growth of urbanization attracts people to leave rural areas to seek for a better job. Employment opportunities in the rural areas are scarce and the rural people mainly dwell upon agricultural activities (54% of the total labour is employed in agriculture, World Bank, 2011). It is a significant question whether the migration could bring

Results and Discussion

Conclusion and Recommendations

Identifying the research problem and objectives

Collection of data from multiple Sources

Primary data collection from

Study areas

Secondary data collected from

various publications, book, journals,

previous studies, reports, newspaper

articles.

27

positive change in livelihood pattern of the rural people. It was seen that the inadequate infrastructure and unplanned urbanization have made it quite difficult to use the migrant workers in an effective way in Bangladesh. The better use of rural labour can increase the standard of living of the poor rural migrant workers and they can also generate savings and rural agro-business. According to World Bank report poverty in Bangladesh is primarily a rural phenomenon, with 53 percent of its rural population classified as poor, comprising about 85 percent of the country’s poor. Against this backdrop a number of initiatives have been taken both by the government and non-government sectors to promote rural and agricultural development. These programmes were targeted to promote income generation, enhancing employment opportunity, women empowerment etc to achieve sustainable development. But migration as a source of income generation has little been taken into consideration. Although Bangladesh holds the seventh position (World Bank. 2012) in earning the highest remittance but still the factors of internal migration have remained aloof in terms of government and non-government attention. Against this backdrop it is significant to examine the causes of migration and the demographic changes in the rural areas. 3. Title: Interrelation between Socio-Economic Condition and

Dietary Diversity in Rural Areas of Bangladesh: Analyzing the Determinants of Food Security

a. Objectives of the Study The general objective of the study is to relate the socio-economic condition and food intake diversity at household level for getting the determinants of food security. Specific Objectives are:

To determine the socio-economic condition of the study households; To assess dietary diversity at household level using Food Consumption Score

and Dietary Diversity Score methods; and To analyze the interrelationship between socio-economic conditions of the

households and dietary diversity. b. Justification of the Study Nutrition is the ultimate balance-sheet of all the processes by which the animal or human system utilizes food for providing energy for growth and maintenance, as also other specified needs. According to the American Medical Association “Nutrition is the processes by which the organism ingests, digests, absorbs, transports and utilizes and finally excretes food substances”. Hence, food Security is prerequisite of optimal nutrition. In Bangladesh, achieving food security has always been an important development goal. The National Food Policy of Bangladesh has explicitly

28

stated that it aims to ensure “a dependable and sustained food security for all people of Bangladesh at all times”. Ensuring proper quality food access “for all people” needs to be started from each household. Research on household food insecurity received less attention, although it has important implications for nutrition and health status of individuals, for overall household welfare and for aggregate demand for food. Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), pioneer in Rural Development of Bangladesh, has conducted couple of studies to assess the effect of its action research i.e. micro credit and Comprehensive Village Development Program (CVDP) on food consumption and nutritional status of beneficiaries through quantitative measures. However, with the time being, the focus of nutrition-based research is incorporating the determination of nutritional food access on different indicators like Food Consumption Score (FCS), Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR), Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). Therefore, this study was conducted in order to assess the level of food security at household level from a new dimension in terms of access to diversified food. Dietary diversity measure various dimensions of food availability by representing the number of different foods or food groups consumed over a given reference period usually with a 24-hour recall period without frequency information or weighted categorical cut-offs. The result is a score that represents the diversity of intake, but not necessarily the quantity, though such scores have been shown to be significantly correlated with caloric adequacy. Household Dietary diversity score (HDDS) and Food Consumption Score (FCS)is a proxy measure for household food access having the underlying assumption as “A more diversified diet is highly correlated with such factors as caloric and protein adequacy, percentage of protein from animal sources (high quality protein)”. One of the major determinants of household food security is socio-economic status. Hence, it is crucial to assess whether socio-economic statusand food diversification is interrelated. A study in china shows that higher income leads to low-calorie intake but more diversified micronutrient rich food. In very poor households, increased food expenditure resulting from additional income is associated with increased quantity and quality of the diet”. In a study on selective rural area of Bangladesh, dietary diversity was calculated very low during the period prior to major food price increases. Therefore, it is crucial to know whether higher socio-economic status leads to increase intake of diversified food. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the association between socio-economic statusand household food diversity in study area. c. Research Methods The study will be conducted in four villages of Comilla Sadar and Sadar Dakkhin Upazillas and the data will be collected by interview schedule incorporating the questionnaire for socio-economic indicator and widely used “HDDS and FCS

29

questions”. Four villages from each Upazilas will be selected randomly for the study. From each village minimum 50 households will be selected randomly, therefore, the total study households will be at least 400. In field level, data will be collected through face to face interview using the structured questionnaire. The data will be analyzed by computing wealth index, FCS score and HDDS score. Statistical methods (both descriptive and inferential) will be applied in order to analyze the correlation between socioeconomic status and dietary diversity. 4. Title: Strengthening Comprehensive Village Development

Programme (CVDP): Experiences, Rural Changes and Outline of Institutional Sustainability

a. Objectives of the Study General objective of the study is to explore the evolution of CVDP, its achievements, challenges, and comparison with other projects.

The Specific Objective of the Study are:

To delineate the self help approach entangled with services by the Comprehensive Village Development Cooperative Society (CVDCS);

To delineate the motivation of togetherness of its members with considerations of modus operandi and challenges;

To show the inner force and nation building linkages, and achievement of CVDP as strong village organisation;

To compare the CVDP model with other projects; and To suggest outline of the institutional sustainability of CVDP

b. Justification of the Study Rural development efforts badly requires village organisation, which termed as recipient end of delivery end of government service providers. Expansion of ideas on participatory rural development has changed the receiving end notion from dependent reality to harnessing wisdom of the rural people. Comilla model of rural development tackled the obstacles through gradual dialogical realisation of necessity, mind set change and demonstration plots of modern rice fields. Village is the origin of Bangladesh cultural traditions. After the independence of Bangladesh, formation of a comprehensive village development cooperative society (CVDCS) at single villages of laboratory area of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) was termed as new version of Comilla approach to rural development. Over the 40 years there are 4080 CVDCS has been formed under Comprehensive Village Development Programme (CVDP) throughout the country by four implementing agencies like BARD, RDA, Departemnt of Cooperatives, and BRDB. Training and motivation is the major functions at project side of CVDP. It is also patrons’ cooperative society’s

30

formation of own financial capital and social development for wellbeing. The approach mainly addresses the poverty reduction, poor people mobilisation to the platform type of village organisation. However the villagers felt more training and skill development, capacity building, and accelerate the soft skills so that poor people can earn by utilisation of quality training, which will contributes the national productivity and entrepreneurships in social and economic fields. Without government policy and patronages, the comprehensive village development cooperative societies cannot proceed in large. c. Research Methods The scope of the study will includes process of motivation of inclusion in terms of membership, village level umbrella platform organization, training programmes, participation of support service providers and Nation Building Departments (NBDs), financial capital formation by the members and their process of building of social capital. This study will be based on experiences of the author and his observation in the field of rural development and working in CVDP villages of BARD. Besides, case stories, group discussions at the village level, and comparisons will be conducted for data collection. 5. Title: Development Process, Rural Transformation: Potentials

and Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship Development a. Objectives of the Study The general objective of the study is to analyse and address potential and challenges rural social entrepreneurship in consideration of rural transition.

The specific objectives of the study are:

to know the history of socio economic development and progress of the villages; to explore the major social and human problems of the villages at the

community and household levels; to delineate the evolution of social entrepreneurship aspects for response to

social and human problems; and to suggest institutional support to social entrepreneurships. b. Justification of the Study The ethos of development is to maintain and sustain the human wellbeing. Establishing and sustaining human wellbeing is one of keys for social progress. Rural scenarios are undergoing changes in terms of internal and external factors to individual and the rural community. The changes have created different dimensions on behaviour and mind set to the people. How to accelerate the social wellbeing and

31

human security are the major thrust for sustainable development in one hand and the national plans of Bangladesh on the other. Development processes are transforming the livelihoods. At the same time, personality and values are altering. Land deputes, homicide, drug addiction, family disorganization, societal clash, broken family, orphanage are some of the symptom of social problems. State, government, society, household, and individual responses the social problems uniquely. However, the progress of Bangladesh state and society in terms of social and human development remarkable. Rural Bangladesh is in transition and having regional disparity. To harness wellbeing and solidarity social entrepreneurship has been visible and it has huge potentials for desired social change in Bangladesh. c. Research Methods Multi dimensional approach will be applied in the study for documenting historical trends of development in view of rural wellbeing and progress. To explore the situation on social problems, a checklist and indicators will be prepared. Focus group discussions will be conducted for knowing the social entrepreneurship. Documenting oral history from key informants will one of the procedure of the study to collect data. Scope and Variables Theories of development and underdevelopment, structure of the society, social differentiation, livelihood opportunities, different age group and problems of different life cycle, interlink of state-society and market, evolving of social entrepreneurship, potential and challenges of social development. 6. Title: Present Conditions of Homestead Plantation in

Comilla: A Case Study of Four Villages a. Objectives of the Study The general objective of this study is to find out the present status of homestead plantation in selected villages of Comilla. The specific objectives are to:

examine the socio-economic conditions of villagers and pattern of homestead area;

assess the nature and type of species grown in the homestead; measure the economic and other benefits derived from the homestead plant

groves; and capture the villagers suggestion/opinions regarding the improvement of the

homestead plantation in the locality.

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b. Justification of the Study Homestead forestry is an age old practice and an integral part of the traditional

farming system of Bangladesh. It is the form of agroforestry where different kinds of crops, including vegetables and trees are grown in mixture with or without livestock. Homestead forests are the privately owned trees around homestead in the rural areas. Resources are the means for satisfying wants both individual wants and social objectives. Resources embrace a vast variety of commodities, biotic and abiotic, tangible and intangible and in combinations. Homestead forestry, popularly known as home garden,is as important component of rural economy in the tropical region of the world as well as in Bangladesh. In a typical home garden a number of crops including trees are grown with livestock, poultry or fish production, mainly for the purpose of satisfying the farmer’s basic needs .

A homestead is used as dwelling and as well as a production unit for plants, animals, fish under integrated farming system in which continuous interaction takes place among men, trees, livestock, soil, water etc. The combination of different cultivated plant allows permanent production throughout the year. The flow of small quantities of various products helps the farmers in maintaining economic and nutritional stability. Village homestead forest resources are very important in the socioeconomic of many countries in the south Asian countries. In Bangladesh, homestead forest occupy about 0.27 million ha. It is believed that as much as 80%supply of the forest products come from this source, though it covers only 2% of total forest area. Homestead forest or forest groves are mostly on privately owned lands covered with trees and bamboo corps of varying quality and density.

The traditional Bangladeshi homesteads are arranged in multistoried fashion and biodiversity is so rich that they are more efficient than rich tropical rain forests in terms of their production, protection amenity and values. Species composition in the home garden of Bangladesh is ranging from small herbs to big trees.

About 85% people of Bangladesh live in the rural areas and their home garden possess more or less some agroforestry component. According to the classification agroforestry system based on the nature and type of components, most home gardens are agrosilvopastoral systems consisting of herbaceous crops, woody perennials and animals. In Bangladesh, homestead agroforestry plays a vital in providing fuel wood, fodder, fruit and timber. It is estimated that about 61-70% of saw logs and 90% of fuel wood and bamboos come from homestead forests. Most of the native fruits, country vegetable, fuel wood and timber come from homestead home yard and marginal lands attached to or nearby homesteads. Through homestead agroforestry the production of various types of fruits, vegetables, spices, fodder, forage, fuel wood and timber can be increased considerably.

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This study will be carried out to identify the plant diversity, homestead utilization pattern, relative importance of homestead trees, and relative profitability of homestead trees through investment analysis and their management for sustainable production as well as constraints of homestead plantation at some selected villages of Comilla Sadar (South) Upazila of Comilla District. c. Research Methods

The study will be conducted in the four nearby villages of Comilla Sadar (South) Upazila of Comilla District. Primary data will be collected from purposively selected villages nearby BARD project operational area. In total, 200 respondents will be randomly selected from four villages, 50 from each village. The respondents will then be classified into several categories to measure the differences among the groups. A set of semi-structured questionnaire will be developed and pre-tested accordingly to capture information on various variables. All the secondary data and other required information will be collected through consulting the various journals, publications, and books available in the library/website.

Data will be collected by a group of trained investigators. Researchers will also be involved in collecting data and supervising the data collection. The data will be analyzed in terms of frequency of answers to each question considering both qualitative and quantitative data. Statistical software like MS Excel and/ Stata will be used to process the data and conduct some statistical analysis. Personal observation throughout the study area will also be taken into consideration.

7. Title: Adoption of ICT in Local Government Institutes in a

developing country: An empirical study on Bangladesh Rural Local Government

a. Objectives of the Study The broad objective of the study is to provide the insights and understanding on the elevation of use of ICTs and e-governance in local government institutes in rural areas in Bangladesh. However, the specific objectives of the study are:

To review the present status of and the initiatives for use of ICTs as tool for e-governance in Rural Local Government institutes.

To appraise the levels of aptitude, awareness, perception and attitudes of Local Government Representatives and Officials towards e-governance and use of ICTs for service delivery

To identify the strengths, weaknesses and challenges of e-governance in Local Government in Bangladesh

To develop policy guidelines for successful e-governance in Local Government

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b. Justification of the Study In recent years, growth of the Information and Communication Technology

(ICT) has had a substantial impact on the way local, state and national governments function. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refer to technologies such as the Internet, Intranets, Extranets, Enterprise resource planning and other such technologies that cover the spectrum from basic infrastructure implementation to technologies that improve services and operations in an organization. Use of ICT in government, popularly known as e-Government, is on the rise with 19% of all government organizations worldwide offering online services (West, 2005). e-Government is described as the use of technology to enhance access to, and delivery of, government services to benefit citizens, business partners and employees at local, municipal, state and national levels (Grant and Chau, 2005; Gronlund and Horan, 2005; Ke and Wei, 2004; Turban et al., 2002).

e-Government implementation can result in significant benefits such as improved efficiencies, greater access to services, greater accountability, transparency and citizen empowerment (Lam, 2005; Tung and Rieck, 2005), lowered costs and time for services (Bhatnagar, 2000; Gilbert et al., 2004), strategic advantages such as improved decision making through streamlining of information, enhanced knowledge sharing and organizational learning, improved interactions with citizens, other government organizations and businesses and industry, leveraging market forces for better relationships between government and private sectors, and greater ability to effect organizational change management (Grant and Chau, 2005; Tung and Rieck, 2005; Zhang et al., 2005). Tolbert and Mossberger (2006) reported that increased use of e-Government by citizens also lead to increased trust in local government and also in positive attitudes towards e-Government processes.

Local Government is known as the nearest government and service delivery agency at the local level. ICT can significantly change the whole mechanism of service delivery and local administration. c. Research Methods This research will use both qualitative and quantitative methods for fulfill the objective of this research. The following part will provide an overview of the data collection method and method of data analysis for this research. Data Collection Method Primary data will be collection through pre-tested checklist and questionnaire. Two sets of data will be collected for this research. This research will conduct some in-depth interview with the local government functionaries to identify the present status of ICT use in local government institute in selected Union Parishad of Eight District of Eight Division. Data Analysis Data will be analyzed through using software such as “R’.

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4.3 Action Research Plan 2017-18 Ongoing projects will continue its operation during 2017-18. The GoB funded project titled “Improving Livelihood of Rural of Lalmai-Mainamati Hill Areas of Comilla through Integrated Agricultural Farming” will be on ground by its full fledged field operation during 2017-18. During 2017-18 construction of school building, conference hall, hostel, and swimming pool along with BARD automation will be started under another GoB funded project titled “Development of Physical Facilities of BARD.” The Second phase of the projec