The Technical Assistance Component

of the Integrated Agricultural Productivity Project (IAPP)

Presentation for the Sharing Meeting on the Farmer Organization Mapping Exercise

25 April, 2012

Presentation Outline

1. Project background

2. Farmer organization mapping approach

3. General impressions so far

4. Capacity needs identified

5. Potential solutions

6. Open floor for discussion around other ideas for solutions

Background

GAFSP Grant of USD 50 million received in 2010 for the IAPP

4 main components

Two supervising entities

TA component implemented by FAO team based in Dhaka

Technical Assistance for Capacity Development

Capacity development for more effective, inclusive and country-owned agriculture, food security and nutrition investment programmes

3 areas of capacity development:1. Investment planning and programming;

2. Technical areas related to investment operations: irrigation and water management; seed sector quality assurance; and integration of nutrition into investments;

3. Increased inclusiveness and participation of key stakeholders in the investment project design and implementation process.

Capacity development of multiple stakeholders:IAPP staff;

GoB staff including Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Ministry of Food and Disaster Management; IMED;

Non-state actors, including farmer organizations.

Mapping Farmer Organizations

Purpose

To understand the complicated landscape of farmer organizations in Bangladesh

To define the capacity development needs to strengthen farmer organizations’ ability to partake in investment programming processes

Approach

Mapping 3 types of organizations

Bilateral meetings, consultation workshops, field visits

Mapping team composed of IAPP staff, FAO, Asian Farmer’s Association and Action Aid Bangladesh

Rangpur

Half-day workshop - NGOs, farmer groups, Govt

Group visits in Mithapukur, Sadar, Rangpur and Ulipur, Gaburjan, Pandur, Kurigram

Barisal

Similar approach - the group departs tonight

Main Findings: General Impressions

Many different types of groupsNewly formed; more mature; village level; upazilla level; federated; women-only; mixed-gender

Common thread: all groups started by projects

Very little federation

Most organizations not registered

Groups have strong technical knowledge as a result of project interventions, but not as much knowledge on institutional development

Land issues

Main Findings: Capacity Needs - Organizational

Networking and coordination; federating

Member mobilization and building trust within groups

Leadership development

Organizational management

Negotiation skills

Support to registration

Main Findings: Capacity Needs - Project Cycle Management

Overall understanding of how the PCM works

Investment planning

Participatory planning

Project formulation

Project implementation

Monitoring and evaluation

Main Findings: Capacity Needs - Empowerment

Awareness raising on the benefits of being organized

Knowledge of Government’s governance processes

Negotiation skills

Strengthening the role of women

Awareness of legal rights

Main Findings: Capacity Needs - Business

Business development

Financial management/book-keeping

Resource mobilization and capital formation

Access to finance

Access to markets

Awareness raising on how being organized can help the group be more competitive on the market

Main Findings: Capacity Needs - Technical

Agriculture production technologiesSeeds

Production systems

Bridging the gap between research and training

Potential Solutions

Farmer-to-farmer exchangeExchange visits

Mentoring

Study tours (in-country and abroad)

Networking workshops

TrainingProject/investment planning and PCM; business development; financial management; negotiation; leadership development; mobilization of members;

Support CSO/FO reps on IAPP Steering Committee

Develop capacities of those forming groups as wellFacilitation

Stakeholder mobilization

Other thoughts?

Thank you