LSPs and staffs from Cross-border project has visited SDC-Samriddhi project in Pabna

LSP visit in Pabna

A 21 member’s team consisting staffs and Local Service Providers (LSPs) from Cross-border TATI&MD project has visited Pabna during 25^th to 28^th September, 2013. Main objective of the visit was to learn about the development and expanding strategy of Service Providers Associations (SPA) from the project experience of SDC-Samridhdhi project, implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (HSI). Some coments are given from the LSPs below. 

45 years old Nazrul Islam is working as a technical LSP of Fish Culture domain in Koroichora, Madargonj. He is also a member of the executive committee of Madarganj SPA. According to him, “I have learned many things from the tour. I was a bit confused about my career as a LSP but I know that I can continue as LSP and can earn handsome amount of money in future. I just need to work for the farmer and help them to grow more, link them to the market and guide them whenever needed. Personally I liked the beef fattening process most and planning to attend formal training to learn the process properly”. 

Technical LSP on Vegetables & field Crop Suraya Begum was as excited as other LSPs during the visit.  She is also the publicity secretary of the Jamalpur Sadar SPA.  She described the visit as an eye opener for her career.  She said, “I have learned about the formation and development of SPA, how we can generate revenue from SPA and vice versa.  Beside this I have learned several new cultivation techniques which I am going to implement in my area. I liked the idea of market linking where SPA can play a vital role and can have commission from the wholesaler and farmer. Two members from our SPA got the chance to visit Samriddhi project. We are planning to organise a SPA management meeting on 5^th of October to share our learnings.”