AGRIC. SUPPORT SERVI

closed

The primary project objective will be to improve the impact of agricultural support services as a means to raising the standard of living in the farming community as a whole. The needs of women involved in agriculture will be specifically addressed. Subsidiary objectives are to: (a) make the technology transfer process more responsive to farmer needs; (b) improve the outreach capability of the extension service; (c) encourage the full participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of both food and cash crop seeds; and (d) remove restrictive seed regulations so as to provide farmer access to a complete range of imported improved crop varieties. Through a pilot component the project also aims at promoting agro-business opportunities to increase the production options for farming enterprises. At the same time the project will support the compatible objective of improving the cost-effectiveness of public sector services. These objectives will be achieved through: (a) a program of on-farm demonstrations and farmer field days; (b) farmer-information media campaigns; (c) special Upazilla initiatives in technology development and transfer; (d) upgrading training; (e) expansion of the breeder seed operations and regulatory reform to improve seed industry efficiency; (f) technical assistance and institutional development; and (g) a pilot component for the development of horticultural export production among small farmers.