SAVE_SUCHANA: Ending the Cycle of Under-nutrition in Bangladesh_Quarterly Progress Report_January to March 2018

Abstract

As one of the technical partners, WorldFish is mainly responsible for leading the fisheries and half of the horticulture components of Suchana. Accordingly, WorldFish is promoting nutrition-sensitive fish and vegetable production systems to beneficiary households (BHHs) of the Suchana program. In collaboration with other Suchana consortium partners, WorldFish has supported over 57,258 HFP-BHHs for nutrition sensitive-horticulture in the first quarter of 2018. This includes providing technical training, critical inputs like vegetable seeds, technical follow-up, and establishing connections with local market actors and service providers. In addition, 2073 BHHs have also received technical training (refresher) on pond aquaculture and 270 BHHs have received IGA grants and support for fisheries related income generating activities. WorldFish also conducted separate training and workshops for local service providers especially for front-line staff members of DAE, fish nursery operators and fingerling traders (Patilwalas) to ensure long-term technical support and quality inputs. In the reporting quarter, a total of 103 Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO) from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) from 36 unions of Phase 2 working area participated in 3 batches of 2 day orientation sessions. A total of 49 fish nursery operators and 49 fingerling traders participated in 4 batches of technical trainings organized by WorldFish focusing on the production and supply of quality fingerlings. The WorldFish team also organized 47 batches of hands on training at the farm-level for real life practice and 650 frontline program staff members participated from different unions involved in the Suchana program. The WorldFish technical team also supported the implementing partners to organize 63 linkage events at field-level to showcase results in the Suchana beneficiary households. A total 4,171 participants attended the 63 events during the reporting quarter. Apart from the community members, including aquaculture and non-aquaculture beneficiary households, community leaders, different market actors and service providers from the private and public sectors attended the events, including local fish nursery operators, fingerling retailers (patilwalas), feed sellers, vegetable seed sellers, fertilizer dealers and local elites such as Union Council members. These events are creating great opportunities to bridge direct relationships between the farmers and market actors. Despite the considerable progress in most of the targeted activities, there were some challenges. Some scheduled events have been shifted to the next quarter and time allocation might prove to be a significant constraint.