FPG:
The project has formed and supports approximately 4,000 Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) to collectively access extension services including required inputs, access to finance and markets. Through FPGs the project is supporting public and private extension agents to reach more farmers more efficiently. These FPGs:
· give smallholder farmers a collective voice
· can collectively demand extension services, required inputs, access to finance and markets
· enable public and private extension agents to reach more farmers more efficiently
· demonstrate the power of collective action
Ag Extension Service Centers (AESCs):
In collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the project aims to demonstrate improved agricultural extension service delivery by establishing and supporting a network of 139 Ag Extension Service Centers in 4 selected demonstration upazilas. The AESCs offer farmers the option to seek out and receive extension services and ag information at their convenience from a known, central location. The project will support DAE to adopt learning from the AESCs to other upazilas. The four demo upazilas are:
· Barisal Sadar, Barisal
· Faridpur Sadar, Faridpur
· Chougacha, Jessore
· Kalia, Narail
Information and Communication Technology (ICT):
The overall aim of the ICT component is to provide easy access to up-to-date technical information on improved farming practices that already exists, but has been unavailable to those who needs it. The project is developing a variety of e-ag apps and tools that will be introduced and systematically embedded into existing ag extension services to be made available to farmers and various agricultural stakeholders. ICT tools are also being developed to support information and service management functions at DAE and AIS.
Partnership:
· Partnership with DAE
· Partnership with AIS
· Partnership with Practical Action