The work of IWMI, part of CGIAR and one of our programme members. The team has been using SenseMaker to collect on-the-ground experiences from Bangladesh farmers and agricultural extension agents. Agricultural extension is the process of bringing new research and practices from research to practice and implementation. Through this story collection, the team sought to explore inclusion and effectiveness in the process of agricultural extension. Explore what they have found regarding the reach and effect of training and the role of farmer drive and agency in adapting agriculture.
Bangladesh, one of the world’s most densely populated countries, faces significant poverty, food insecurity, and agricultural productivity challenges. With over 40% of the population engaged in agriculture, the majority of which involves smallholder rice farming, these challenges are even more pronounced. Approximately 92% of farmers own less than 0.5 hectares of land, making it difficult for them to achieve sustainable incomes. While efforts like irrigation and triple-cropping aim to intensify crop production, they often fail to ensure economic stability, especially in climate-vulnerable coastal regions. Farmers in these areas frequently resort to seasonal migration and face severe economic distress. Given these conditions, agricultural innovation and access to extension services are crucial for improving food security and farmer livelihoods. However, adoption of new agricultural practices remains low, especially among women, due to challenges such as low literacy, cultural norms, and limited social mobility.
The research found that most farmers rely on informal knowledge-sharing networks or peer observation, as formal training mainly benefits landowning farmers. Those who received formal extension services reported better crop yields, whereas those relying on informal networks struggled with climate-related issues, such as salinity and irregular rainfall. The study also revealed that extension services predominantly focus on crop systems, neglecting the important roles of livestock and fisheries, which are also vital to the agrarian economy. This lack of integration across agricultural sectors further exacerbates the vulnerabilities faced by smallholder farmers.
Explore the full publication here: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/895bdabe-26bb-4dfa-b02e-13cabb59b1b6
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