The National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) designed by the local experts aims to strengthen the national agricultural technology system, including research and extension services to farmers, and thereby improve productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries. Improving agriculture production and productivity is indispensable for Bangladesh in ensuring national food security, generating rural employment and reducing poverty.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock along with their constituent departments and agencies are jointly implementing the NATP. The project is funded by the World Bank (IDA Credit of US$ 62.6 million), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (loan of US$ 19.4 million), and the Government of Bangladesh (US$ 2.6 million).
Aligned with one of the major development goals of the Government of Bangladesh, NATP focuses on revitalizing the agricultural technology system, promoting research-extension-farmer-market linkages as well as improving post-harvest management. It supports the implementation of the government’s Agricultural Extension Policy for promoting a decentralized and demand-driven agricultural extension system. As part of NATP, the government has created the Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF) that ensures sustainable financing of short- to medium term applied agricultural research. KGF has already awarded 30 agricultural research grants on a competitive basis.
Results from the ground prove that farmers are benefiting from the trainings provided on proven new agriculture technology. A rice technology demonstration and transfer program was introduced in late 2008 in the context of rising food security concerns. This demonstration worked very well in 95 sites during the Aman and Boro seasons of 2009. . The average yield of the demonstrations was 40% higher than the yield in farmers-practice plot, and gross margin to demo farmers is about 60% higher than general practice. The farmers are being organized to initiate bottom up planning exercise to develop demand driven extension plans. Plans are also under preparation in ten selected Upazilas to link the producer organizations with markets through development of supply chains..
NATP can make important contributions towards increasing agricultural productivity and improving the food security situation in Bangladesh. However, for this to happen the project has to be implemented effectively and on time. The World Bank and the Government have carried out a joint implementation review recently and have identified issues affecting the implementation progress. The World Bank and the Government have agreed on a time-bound action plan to expedite project implementation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock along with their constituent departments and agencies are jointly implementing the NATP. The project is funded by the World Bank (IDA Credit of US$ 62.6 million), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (loan of US$ 19.4 million), and the Government of Bangladesh (US$ 2.6 million).
Aligned with one of the major development goals of the Government of Bangladesh, NATP focuses on revitalizing the agricultural technology system, promoting research-extension-farmer-market linkages as well as improving post-harvest management. It supports the implementation of the government’s Agricultural Extension Policy for promoting a decentralized and demand-driven agricultural extension system. As part of NATP, the government has created the Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF) that ensures sustainable financing of short- to medium term applied agricultural research. KGF has already awarded 30 agricultural research grants on a competitive basis.
Results from the ground prove that farmers are benefiting from the trainings provided on proven new agriculture technology. A rice technology demonstration and transfer program was introduced in late 2008 in the context of rising food security concerns. This demonstration worked very well in 95 sites during the Aman and Boro seasons of 2009. . The average yield of the demonstrations was 40% higher than the yield in farmers-practice plot, and gross margin to demo farmers is about 60% higher than general practice. The farmers are being organized to initiate bottom up planning exercise to develop demand driven extension plans. Plans are also under preparation in ten selected Upazilas to link the producer organizations with markets through development of supply chains..
NATP can make important contributions towards increasing agricultural productivity and improving the food security situation in Bangladesh. However, for this to happen the project has to be implemented effectively and on time. The World Bank and the Government have carried out a joint implementation review recently and have identified issues affecting the implementation progress. The World Bank and the Government have agreed on a time-bound action plan to expedite project implementation.
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