The major activities and achievements of AAS since it's founding in 1989 are as follows:
AAS working areas and infrastructures
Since its inception, AAS has implemented a numerous projects to alleviate poverty and to ensure the food security among the resource poor and small farmers of Bangladesh . Thus AAS has been implementing its project activities at about 642 villages in more than 211 unions under more than 75 upazilas of 25 working districts with about 100 partner NGOs under three working zones (Northeast, Northwest and Southwest) of the country during last 5 years. Since inception, AAS has been established offices and relevant infrastructures (Training centers, IT centre, fish hatchery etc) in the three working zones to implement its project activities at the grassroots levels. Working areas of AAS and involved PNGOs are provided below:
AAS Partner NGOs/CBOs Network
AAS has historically implemented its rural based, agricultural productivity enhancing projects through its large network of rural based Partner Organizations (NGOs/CBOs). AAS has been strengthening and expanding its "partner NGO network" all over the country since 1989. At the beginning, a total of 23 national and international NGOs were involved with AAS partner NGO network during 1989-90 under funding support from USAI D (PRIP/ PACT ). At present about 100 NGOs directly and indirectly are involved with AAS partner NGO network. Moreover, 200 NGOs were involved for implementing AAS developed intensified crop management strategies with their client resource poor farmers in 3 working zones during 1996-2004. A total of 125 AAS partner organizations (NGOs and CBOs) were responsible for implementing IRRI/PETRRA/DFID funded thirteen sub-projects/activities in 62 upazilas of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Rajshahi, Chapai Nawabganj, Natore, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra, Naogaon, Jessore, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Magura, Rajbari, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Gaibandha districts under the umbrella network of AAS during 1999-2004. A total of 91 partner organizations received training on sustainable FARM SEED strategy for its implementation with their partner resource poor farmers in three working zones. Total of 36 AAS partner NGOs have been developed for a partnership network all over the country in 3 working zones for extension of intensive carp poly-culture fish fingerling production and distribution under donor support. Total of 22 member NGOs of Oitijhya network have been developed in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat and Pirojpur districts of southwest coastal region for scale-up salt tolerant rice variety through FARMSEED under the funding support from IRRI/BMGF during 2008-2010.
One of AAS's great strengths is that it is able to work through a large network of experienced grassroots partner organizations. Large number of the skilled staffs established relevant infrastructures and sufficient micro-credit of the members of AAS partner NGO Network are the foundation strength of AAS to implement the suitable project activities on the cost-effective basis. Accordingly, AAS, being a relatively small organization itself, is able to cast a very big shadow over a large area. AAS could have such an impact on the basis of its own resources alone. Rural youth groups, women groups, CBOs and local NGOs representing diverse rural constituencies are all part of the AAS-Partnership Network. Accordingly, AAS gains strength from its network partners. On the other hand, AAS maintains close and collegial relationships with a large number of public sector and international organizations that have solid agri-technical credentials. These include IRRI, BRRI, BARI , BARC, BADC, DAE, BARD, CIMMYT, FAO, CABI, Rutgers University, JOBS, BMG F, IFAD, GROS, DFID, EU, RDA , IFPRI and others with whom AAS maintains and sustains long-term collaborative relationships.
Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
People living in a particular area or place (e.g. a village or part of village or part of town or more than one village) irrespective of religion, caste, or of ethnic origin of being tribal or aboriginal, who interact in their daily life with each other is called a "Community". Inside such a community people generally have more or less similar occupation, culture and common interests, condition of sharing or having things/issues in common, and being alike or together in some ways for the interest of the community. .In Bangladesh CBOs have existed for a long time in rural and urban areas. These are either formal or informal organizations in the communities who act together towards a common goal in order to realize common interests and operate in an institutional manner. Various CBOs in rural areas in Bangladesh include cooperative societies, IPM Club, Integrated Crop Management (ICM) Club, Sport Club, Youth Club, Agriculture association, Landless association, Farmers association, Water user association, Irrigation Club, Farmer group, Krishok Samobay Samity ( KSS ), Milk cooperative Society, Fishermen association among others. Both formal and informal CBOs are active in the rural communities with various kinds of activities. A number of them are playing important roles in different agricultural activities including dissemination of agricultural technologies in a cost-effective manner.
Poverty Elimination Through Rice Research Assistance (PETRRA), a Project of IRRI funded by DFID has used CBOs for implementation of a large number of sub-projects during 1998-2004 with various organizations including Agricultural Advisory Society (AAS). On the basis of the findings of AAS and other involved organizations, PETRRA concluded that working with CBOs are more cost-effective and successful than NGOs, especially with small fund resources (Mele, P.V. et.al. 2005 and Rashid, H. 2004). AAS has developed a CBOs network with about 250 CBOs, of which 152 CBOs are currently active under the funding support of STRASA, a project of IRRI funded by BMGF in southwest coastal region. Out of these active ones, 75 CBOs in Satkhira, 42 in Khulna and 35 in Bagrehat are invovled with network for implementation of scale-up salt tolerant rice variety through FARMSEED. Out of these CBOs, 102 are IPM/ICM clubs, 39 Samobay Samity and 11 are community clubs.
Farmers' group formation
AAS farmer-groups are formed mostly among resource poor farmers as informal agricultural production groups. These grass-root groups are committed to creating their own wealth by using AAS's sustainable and intensive agricultural production strategies and techniques. AAS has organized a total of more than 800 farmer groups including 250 female groups comprised of more than 30,000 resource poor farmers since its founding in 1989 in the three working zones in the country. Each group is formed with an average of 25 interested and motivated farmers with a selected coordinator. To implement the activities of projects / programs and approaches, AAS is formed farmers groups in collaboration with PNG Os in its working areas.
Developing the skill and capacities of partner farmers
AAS has been used its network of field based demonstrations in combination with state of the art of training modules to enhance the skill and capacity of more than 30,000 farmers to adapt a wide range of sustainable, high value, intensive agricultural practices. Most of participating farmers are classified as “resource poor“and as such are the ongoing partners of AAS and its partnership network. The skills and capacities of all its partners are being developed through the practical participatory training and motivational actives sponsored by various donor funded projects and agencies since 1989.
Building the capacities and skill of its partners
AAS has been conducted a series of agricultural training programs for the benefit of more than seven hundred staff of AAS and its partner organizations (NGOs & CBOs) along with relevant public sector organizations and private sector players since its founding in 1989. AAS devotes substantial resources to strengthening and expanding its network of partner NGOs in the country. At present besides CBOs, about 100 local NGOs make up the “AAS Partnership Network.
Technical support to NGOs
During 1989-90, AAS trained about 200 Staff of 23 NGOs including RDRS, CARE, CCDP, Wold Vision-Bangladesh, IDE, PROSHIKA, GK etc on nursery and orchard management, Agro-forestry and sustainable irrigated intensified cropping strategy under the funding support from USAID (PRIP/ PACT ). Principal objective of initiative was to develop skill and capacity of the NGOs in the field of high value year round crop production including plant nursery and horticultural orchard. Practical field based training for the agricultural staff of 23 NGOs on nursery and orchard management, Agro-forestry and sustainable irrigated intensified cropping strategy was the foundation initiative at beginning of AAS emergence in 1989. About 600 mini-nurseries and 250 small-scale orchards were established with skilled farmers of the trained NGOs in their working areas under the technical supervision of AAS during 1990-91. It was particularly a strong founding contribution of AAS in early stage of private nursery flourishing in the country. Moreover, thousands of trained and motivated farmers of trained partner 23 NGOS were able to grower .more than 20 high value cash crops in their small plots attached and outside of the homestead in the community. Such kind of technical support through NGOs network innovative drive was undertaken by Harun-Ar-Rashid, Executive Director under direct advice and supervision of the founder instigator, Dr. David Gisselquist of AAS. AAS has established more than 1000 small scale orchards with high value fruits such as Mango, exotic Jujube, Litchi, Sapota etc with trained and motivated farmers (fruit growers) since in 1989
Exotic Jujube extension
AAS has been introducing exotic Jujube cultivars (Taiwan Kul, Thai 1&2 Kul, Chines Kul, Burmese Kul and Apple Kul) since 2005 through establishment of demo. orchard in collaboration with Modern Horticulture Center (MHC) in Natore district. One of the first demo. Orchard on Taiwan Kul was established at Bonpara, Boraigram, Natore with Mr. Kolam Tar Ali, an innovative person in 2004. There was large scale media coverage (TV channels, Newspaper etc) on this successful demo. orchard during harvesting of fruits (January-February 2005) of Jujube. Accordingly, information on the success of exotic jujube cultivation spreads all over the country within shortage possible time due to large scale media coverage (TV, Newspaper) on the AAS established first demo. orchard. AAS provided practical training on improved jujube orchard establishment and management among more than 500 interested farmers and elite orchard owners in southwest and northwest regions in country during 2004-2011. Training follow-up in field technical services provided by AAS horticulturists during jujube orchard establishment and post management practices. AAS conducted research on Nut weevil of jujube and Tube Spittle Bug under the leadership on Dr. Z.H. Prodhan, Entomologist and scientific collaboration with CABI , UK . On the basis of research findings, AAS published two fact sheets on Nut weevil of jujube and Tube Spittle Bug for distribution among the owners of jujube orchards in Natore,Pabna and Rajshahi districts. AAS also established a whole sale market at Bonpara more, Baraigram Natore as a hub market for marketing the jujube all over the country in collaboration with lead jujube orchard owners local elite at Bonpara market .
Banana production and marketing
Commercialized Banana production and marketing, as a high value cash crop is the central activity of AAS under its uptake of high value crop varieties and sustainable intensive cropping strategies. AAS has introduced AAS Sagar-1 (Known as Ranggin Mehar Sagar in greater Rangpur district) and Meher Sagar of Banana through demonstration as a high value cash crop for resource poor farm families in its working zones since 1989. About a million suckers of AAS Sugar-I, Meher Sagar and Amrita Sagar cultivars distributed among the banana growers during 1989-2004 within and outside of the AAS's working areas. AAS has also been introducing its own developed improved production and post harvest practices of Banana among the banana growers in the country.
Commercial intensive crop production management
The central activity of AAS is the establishment and operation of its commercial intensive crop production management demonstrations on demand driven and incentive basis. For commercial purpose, AAS established intensive crop production partnership with more than 1000 resource poor farm families (Small, medium and marginal), input suppliers, middlemen, POs and DAE representatives in the country during 1996-2000 under the funding support from ASSP/DFID/DAE. AAS mobilized its own resources and resources its partner farmers for the commercialized crop production with more than 20 high value cash crops. The performance of AAS's commercialized crop production management system was found mixed in its different working areas. AAS staffs were fully able to administer the commercialized crop production management feature of the revolving fund scheme. They were able to do this on behalf of the participating farmers, the input and revolving credit suppliers and the middlemen who purchase the crops. The major frustration was found to collect the revolving fund from the partner resource poor farmers by the salary based field staff of AAS without establishing of the credit management system.
Pilot revolving fund management scheme
AAS had shown that small plot cultivators, given systematic access to essential crop production inputs, were successful in alleviating their poverty. AAS's crop production financing capacity was enable for small plot cultivators to purchase necessary inputs gradually and use appropriate practices for yield and incomes. Agricultural advances disbursed to individual participants who form themselves into AAS supervised production/marketing groups within the command areas of each demonstration cluster. The loan sanctioning/collection authority was with the concern AAS crop production supervisor. The crop production supervisor managed advances and collections within the commend area of each cluster. For farmers' accepted crops, a total of Tk. 25,65,250 revolving fund was mobilized among more than 1000 trained participating farmers. However, AAS's experience with managing the revolving fund was found frustrating due to lack of established credit management system with the involved partner resource poor farmers in the working areas.
Homestead garden plots establishment
AAS established 256 organized and protected homestead garden plots during 1996-2000 within the working zones of AAS under the funding support from ASSP/DFID/DAE. The farmers' response was found poor about the exotic, organized and protected homestead garden establishment. As a result involved farm families were reluctant to invest the time and resources necessary to sustain AAS's homestead gardening demonstrations. However, AAS is committed to make efforts to meet its homestead gardening commitments by concentrating its efforts on extremely high value crops for short duration on a year-round basis within and attached small plots of AAS trained farm families.
Nursery and orchard strategy
During 1996-1999, AAS established about 300 commercialized private nurseries with skilled farmers including resource poor farmers of 32 partner NGOs in 15 districts of three working zones of AAS in the country. AAS trained total of 58 staff of 32 members of AAS partner NGO network under the funding support of ASSP/DFID/DAE on plant nursery and horticultural orchard establishment, operation and management during 1996-1999.
Uptake of high value crop varieties
AAS, where appropriate, introduces new, high value cash crops and accompanying production packages. More than 90% of these available high value crop varieties and production packages have been demonstrated through AAS partner farmer/partner organizations. Of these, more than 50 crops and associated production packages have been accepted by farmers at the field level and have reached a high level of commercialized of production. The high value crop uptake process is participatory and is demand-led by the involved farmers under taken with several donors, seed companies, PNG Os support and resources also from AAS's own fund.
Uptake of sustainable intensive cropping
The central activity of AAS is to establish income generating, sustainable cropping systems on the basis of introducing high value cash crops. So far, AAS has established model on sustainable, intensive crop production systems among more than 30000 of its partner farmers. Specially, AAS developed the strategy on irrigated intensive cropping system in charland and its dissemination was under taken through AAS partnership network in Manikgonj, Mushigonj and Dhaka districts during 1989 under funding support from USAID (PRIP/ PACT )/DSC. Selected Private Organizations have been mobilized revolving working capital resources among them for the purpose of financing the cost for high value inputs since 1990.
Seed production and distribution
Quality seed / planting material production and distribution of different demand-led crops among its relevant skilled seed farmers and partners are the central activities of AAS. AAS produces and distributes seed planting material of more than twenty different inbred and hybrid crops. Thus demand-led crop seed production and distribution systems and strategy have established in the AAS working areas. AAS has also developed contract farming system for production seed of rice and non-rice crops in southwest and northwest regions for private seed companies and dealers. Moreover, AAS developed contract farming system for seed production of rice and non-rice crops in southwest and northwest regions for the private sector seed selling agencies in the country. AAS has also developed F 1 rice hybrid seed production management system for private agencies. A draft practical manual on F 1 hybrid rice seed production has developed by AAS during last 2009-10 Boro season. Further, improvement will be done on the manual for distribution among the F 1 rice seed production agencies in Bangladesh .
Irrigation system development
AAS has many successful experiences with the introduction, demonstration and operation of minor irrigation systems in the country and has played a vital role in irrigation system development in Bangladesh . AAS has been working on command area development of irrigation equipment (STW, DTW etc) with irrigated intensive cropping system in the country. AAS has published several manuals on “irrigated intensive crop production management systems”. AAS has established irrigation systems with low cost-effective difficult water table/aquifer condition in the country.
Promoting micro-nutrients in crop production
Besides fertilizer management, AAS, through field demonstration and linkages with suppliers, was undertaken the initiative for promoting the effective use of several essential micro-nutrients including boron and zinc as essential micro-nutrient supplements for high yield crop production in specific nutrient deficient areas during 1989-2004.
Aquaculture management program
AAS has been operating its fish hatchery at Alampur, Kushtia with trained fishermen and fish farmers on contractual agreement. Under such sub-contract system, about 500 Kg of quality hatchlings of seven different carps produced and distributed every year since 1996. AAS developed intensive fish fingerling and carp poly culture production and marketing strategy for the fish farmers and fishermen in Southwest Bangladesh .
Arsenic hazard abatement
The water of 9853 tubewells (mostly HTWs) at 112 villages in 25 upazilas of Faridpur, Jessore, Satkhira, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Magura, Gopalgonj, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Kishoregonj and Rajbari districts were for Arsenic contamination by AAS during 1995-2001 using resources from AAS own fund. A total of 520 new arsenic free HTWs for drinking water were installed through changing well depth with the support of Krishok Bandhu Agro-System Ltd (KBAL) and world vision-Bangladesh. A total 173 HTW installers, 429 civil society members, journalists etc were trained on arsenic hazards and its adaptation and mitigation methods. AAS implemented a project on Arsenic in the food chain: Assessment of the water-soil-crop systems in Rajshahi and Chaipai Nawabganj districts in collaboration with BAU , Mymensingh and BRRI, Gazipur under funding support from PETRRA/IRRI/DFID. The project has generated several relevant findings related to Arsenic in the food chain. AAS participated in conducting workshop and publishing the proceedings of the workshop on Arsenic in the Food chain: Assessment of Arsenic in the water-soil-crop systems, held on 22 July 2004 in Dhaka .
Road safety program
AAS played facilitating advisory role in developing an NGO network for implementing programs appropriate to making our roads safer. AAS actively participated in the NGO network on road safety under the umbrella organization of IMCT. AAS was assigned to coordinate Dhaka Division of the Network, Road safety and Executive Director, AAS was actively involved as a national Advisor of the network (Road safety) during 1999-2001.
Post flood rehabilitation program
AAS was involved in post flood agri–rehabilitation programs of 1998 and 2004 devastating floods under direct funding support from DFID-Dhaka/ASSP, DAE, PRISM-Bangladesh, Concern Bangladesh , GROS-Belgium and IRRI.
As per agreement between AAS and ASSP/DFID, AAS procurred a total of 25,171 kgs of Vegetable seeds (Lalshak 15384kgs, Spinach 7727kgs, Radish 522 kgs, Sweet gourd 769 kgs and bottle gourd 769 kgs) for distribution among the flood affected resource poor farmers of 65 ASSP partner NGOs to implement 1998 post flood agri-rehabilitation program. Under these collaborative efforts of AAS and KBAL with funding support from DFID/ASSP a total of 1,63,428 master packets of vegetable seeds were delivered to 65 ASSP partner NGOs and 16 partner NGOs of AAS partner NGO network.
AAS distributed a total of Tk. 15,50,000 as cash and a total 2500 master Packets (220 gm/Family) of vegetable seeds five crops in badly affected six thanas of Narsighdi, Kishoregonj and Gaibandha districts. Besides, this, AAS directly received 500 master packets of vegetable seeds and distributed among the flood affected 500 farmers at 50 Villages in 5 Unions under Sadar and Boalmari thanas of Faridpur district. Total of 9590 master packets (220gm/family) of five different vegetables seed were distributed among 9590 flood affected resource poor farmers in Sirajgonj, Pabna, Gopalgonj, Dinajpur and Faridpur districts through 16 AAS partner NGOs of the network.
AAS also supplied 3000 master packets (92gms) of 6 differ vegetables seed to PRISM-Bangladesh. AAS provided field supervision after distribution of the seed among 3000 resource poor farmers of PRISM-Bangladesh in Manikgonj district.
As per contractual agreement with concern-Bangladesh, AAS supplied own produced quality 108 MT of certified potato seed (variety: Cardinal) to Concern-Bangladesh. This potato seed was distributed among the flood affected resource poor farmers in Faridpur, Pabna and Niphamari districts under post flood agri-rehabilitation programme of Concern-Bangladesh.
AAS distributed 2000 Kg foundation seed of BRRI dhan 28 and 29 for seed production (3 Kg/farmer/variety), 5000 Kg rice hybrid seed and 6000 Packets of vegetable seed (five crops) among the flood affected 11,700 resource poor farm families at about 250 communities of 36 POs as post flood agri-rehabilitation program during 2004-5 winter season in seven districts of Northeast, Northwest and Southwest regions of Bangladesh under the funding support of IRRI and GROS, Belgium of 2004 post flood agri-rehabilitation program. |
