Cross-border TATI&MD project: A new window for sharing Agriculture Technology and Knowledge

‘The experience and knowledge we have gathered here will help us to ensure better and effective project implementation in Assam’ said Amiya Kumar Sharma, ED, Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) while he was leading a five member team from RGVN, Assam, India for a study visit in Bangladesh during February 3-7, 2013. Annet Witteveen, Head of Food Security and Livelihood Unit, CUB welcomed the team and wished all a very fruitful and enjoyable visit in Bangladesh. The visit was a part of exchanging experiences on developing local service provision under the Cross-border project which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Concern Universal (CU), Bangladesh.

Cross-border TATI&MD project team

This study visit was designed to observe project activities of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) in Jamalpur along with obtain hands-on knowledge about Local Service Provision (LSP) and the Market Development Model of the Samriddhi project of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) in Sirajganj and Pabna districts. Project beneficiaries, LSPs and project implementing staff shared their experience and success stories with the RGVN team. They also learned about the development of Service Providers Associations (SPAs) and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). For example SPA and MSE formation, constitution development, organising meeting, promoting SPA and MSE etc. and how beneficiaries are getting support from the SPAs. ‘I am feeling privileged to be a part of the team. I have learned many things from this study visit, which will enhance my capacity to assist my team and beneficiaries groups’ said Aneeta Dutta, the Technology Transfer Coordinator, RGVN.

At the end of the visit an experience sharing meeting  was held where participants from CU, DAM, HSI and RGVN shared their learnings and expressed how they will use the knowledge in the Cross-border project. During the meeting HSI also discussed their technical backstopping plan for 2013. ‘I am glad that we have this opportunity to share and explore the project activities here in Bangladesh. These experiences will help us in future’, said Arindam Pal, Project Manager, RGVN in his thanks giving speech. The other two team members were Indrani Sharma, HID Coordinator; and Karobi Majumder, Area Coordinator from RGVN, Assam, India.

The three year long Cross-border TATI&MD Project is being implemented in Jamalpur district, Bangladesh and Assam, India. DAM is involved as implementing partner for Bangladesh part while RGVN is implementing the project at Assam, India. HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) is taking care of the technical backstopping.