Conversations of change: Bangladesh

Agriculture provides the principle source of livelihood for more than 80% of its 170 million people, and is the backbone of the Bangladesh economy. The government acknowledges this in its strategy to 2041, with investment in research and extension. CDAIS began in 2015. At the outset, however, the need to also invest in strengthening functional capacities was not recognised by those used to the ‘traditional’ technology transfer model. The story of mango producers in Chapai Nawabganj district is offered here as an example, though CDAIS saw success with all three innovation niche partnerships (or ‘clusters’) it worked with. At organisational level, it is clear that the ‘new’ approach has gained some traction in key institutes involved in agricultural innovation, and that CDAIS tools and approaches have opened people’s eyes to a complementary form of long-term capacity development.