institutional functions. Agriculture RTEs mainly provided advice on plant
nursery management, pest control in fruit plants and rice fields, insect
identification, use of appropriate pesticide, supply of medicine and some
good quality seeds, and demonstrated some skills for their clients. The
livestock RTEs provided advice on poultry and cattle disease treatment,
supplied medicine and vaccine, supported improved cattle rearing practices
(including breed selection, improved management, minor operations such
as castration, treatment for injury, etc.). Fisheries RTEs mainly advised
farmers on pond/farm preparation, budgeting, fish disease management,
soil and water quality management and protecting the loss of fish seed. In
spite of their positive role in knowledge and extension service, the study
identified an identity crisis for the RTEs, a lack of institutional accountability
to maintain quality of their services, a lack of participation in local planning,
and a missing institutional link at district and national level. From the
perception analysis with different level stakeholders, the study found some
gaps in understanding specific priorities and problems of farmers among end
beneficiaries and decision makers. However, there was some good common
understanding on some problems such as agricultural input crisis among
different level stakeholders. The RTEs and other stakeholders believed a
farmer enquiry system is a very important instrument in knowledge
management and extension service. It concluded that a dynamic enquiry
system led by local Knowledge Centers and their attached RTEs can play a
significant role in reflecting the needs of the poor. It can also support
decision making at a national and local level.
Livelihood
1. Integration of technical, social, economic and technological
issues can promote food security and livelihoods of resource poor
farmers of rural Bangladesh
Dr. Faruk-Ul-Islam and S. M. Alauddin, Practical Action Bangladesh
‘Food Security for Sustainable Household Livelihoods (FoSHoL)’ project
was implemented by Practical Action Bangladesh during 2005-2009,
supported by the European Commission (EC). It aimed at bringing
sustainable improvements in the food and livelihood status of Resource
Farm Poor (RFP) households of riverine and flood-affected areas of Jamalpur
and Greater Faridpur districts by improving their farming system, increasing
production by diversification and demonstrating livelihood options. The
impact assessment was conducted after two years of implementation of the
project keeping two objectives in focus - i.e. critical lessons of food and
livelihoods improvement strategy practiced and capturing post project
Poverty and Development: Realities of Grassroots 17