plans and budget at UPs if made through active participation of people and
respecting the opinion and priority of the women, women empowerment
and local development is feasible. This model could be followed in all 4500
union parishads. This research reveals that women-friendly budget and
women’s participation in planning and budgeting process can effectively
promote women empowerment and local development which benefits all
including the people living in poverty and injustice.
3. Role of private extension agents in grass roots knowledge
management and their potential in contributing to decision
making process: A case study from Bangladesh
Dr. Faruk-Ul-Islam, Saikat Shubhro Aich, A.M Shamsuddula, Practical Action
Bangladesh
A dynamic flow of knowledge and information among development
practitioners, end beneficiaries and decision makers is vital in extension
service and decision making processes. The authors have worked through
the INGO Practical Action to deliver a technical enquiries service in
Bangladesh over the last three decades, and have more recently established
a series of knowledge centers with associated networks of private Rural
Technology Extensionists (RTEs). This study aims to understand the role of
private extension agents in grass-root knowledge information and decision
making processes, a group of private RTEs, their associated beneficiaries and
stakeholders were studied over four months between March to June 2011.
The study focused in 4 villages around two Local Knowledge Centers in two
districts of Bangladesh – one in the northwest and one in the south. The
study explored 1100 farmer enquiries on agricultural problems from another
8 districts of Bangladesh (excluding above mentioned first two districts)
covering different agro-economic zones. Finally, the field findings were
shared among a group of national level experts in a consultation and
validation workshop. The workshop also explored perceptions of national
level experts on grass root problems of farmers and their views, on
institutionalizing RTEs through government and private systems. Capturing
enquiries of farmers was found to be a strong tool in identifying the
problems, knowledge gaps and demands of farmers. The technical enquiry
process of the grass root farmers and end users was practiced in different
ways than usual ICT based inquiry services using internet and cell phone. In
the study villages, RTEs were found to play significant role in providing
,doorstep knowledge information service but they lacked the skills to
become good advocates on farmers’ issues and demands. A mobility
mapping exercise further confirmed that they were engaged with advice,
information, inputs (e.g. seed, fertilizer, vaccine) selling and some
16 4th National Knowledge Convention