Swisscontact to promote improved jute cultivation
Swisscontact has recently signed a two-year tripartite agreement with Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for promotion of improved jute cultivation and retting practices.
Manish Pandey, regional director for South Asia and country director for Bangladesh of Swisscontact; and Md Kamal Uddin, director general of BJRI; and Md Abu Hanif Miah, director general of the DAE, signed the agreement, Swisscontact said in a statement yesterday.
Under the agreement, Making Markets Work for the Jamuna, Padma and Teesta Chars (M4C) will help the DAE and BJRI to promote improved jute cultivation and retting practices in the chars of 10 districts of northern Bangladesh.
M4C is mandated by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and supported by LGRD and cooperatives ministry and implemented by Swisscontact and Practical Action in collaboration with Rural Development Academy, Bogra.
The collaboration aims to utilise the expertise of BJRI for training relevant sub-assistant agricultural officers and using the local network and resources of DAE and M4C, according to the statement.
The alliance will also work to demonstrate and disseminate knowledge on improved cultivation and retting practices through farmers' trainings and field demonstrations, so that poor char farmers can earn more profits from higher yield and quality fibres.
Swisscontact simultaneously signed another agreement with BJRI and Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd to promote the same through agricultural helpline of Banglalink Krishi Jigyasha 7676.
Manish Pandey of Swisscontact, Md Kamal Uddin of BJRI, and Ziad Shatara, managing director and chief executive of Banglalink Digital Communications, signed the agreement.
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