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.
Pineapple is one of the most important commercial fruit crops in the world. In Bangladesh, it is ranked third in
terms total production and area farmed, both of which are increasing continually. It is grown in all regions, but...
Bangladesh is the eighth largest mango-producing country in the world. In 2014–2015, 10 million tonnes of fruit was produced, of which 1.5 million tonnes were mangoes. Due to the nutritional value and their popularity, mangoes are considered as a high priority for...
The Government of Burkina Faso embraced innovation in agriculture many years ago, thus CDAIS could build on solid foundations. Six innovation niche partnerships were selected, each working on very different types of innovations, technically, socially or organisationally, and facing contrasting challenges for...
The ‘dry corridor’ is a region of guatemala that covers part of the departments of Baja Verapaz, Zacapa, El Progreso, Jalapa, Chiquimula, Jutiapa and Santa Rosa. It is vulnerable to drought and, in some parts, communities lack food security, with...
Angola has so much potential as an agricultural country, with up to 50 million hectares that could be cultivated. But why
is it not being cultivated now? “It is simply a case of lack of will – political will...