WB-supported agri project to benefit 3 lakh farmers

DHAKA, July 9: The Integrated Agricultural Productivity Project (IAPP), supported by the World Bank, will directly benefit approximately 300,000 small and marginal farmers in the country’s agro-ecologically handicapped areas.
 
The IAPP project aims to enhance the productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries in the flash-flood and drought-prone northern districts of Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat, and salt-affected tidal surge areas in the southern districts of Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalakati, said a World Bank release.
 
Of the 300,000 small and marginal farmers who will benefit through the project, about 175,000 will be crop farmers, 60,000 livestock farmers and 60,000 fish farmers.
 
Two new varieties of wheat from Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) have already been introduced and seven (Maize – 1, Oilseeds – 3, Pulses – 2, and Rice – 1) more are in process of development for release.
 
The WB release said that the Department of Agriculture Extension has already formed more than 1850 Livelihood Field Schools (LFSs) and has conducted more than 2,500 demonstrations on various crops.
 
So far, more than 9,000 farmers have adopted improved crop varieties. The Department of Fisheries (DoF) has also formed more than 865 groups this year including 100 groups in last year; 2,025 fish farmers received training on three different technologies (Pangas, Mono sex tilapia and Carp) and nearly 100 fisheries officers received technical skills development training.
 
So far, DoF has conducted more than 1,600 demonstrations, of which 378 for fish nursery. For livestock, nearly 12,500 farmers have adopted breed/husbandry practices.
 
The IAPP is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), a multi-donor Trust Fund. Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia to be awarded a grant of US$ 50 million under the Program.
 
The World Bank is supervising the investment project, the total cost of which is US$ 63.81 million, with a GAFSP Grant of US$ 46.31 million and Government contribution of US$ 17.50 million.
 
The remaining US$ 3.69 million from the GAFSP Grant is being used for a separate capacity building component, which is being supervised by the FAO. The project is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.