United Nations Development Programme – Bangladesh

Annual Progress Report

Title of Project: Agriculture and Food Security Project in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts (AFSP III), Bangladesh

(February to 31 December 2018)

Title of Programme: Agricultural Growth and Employment Programme under Denmark’s

Bangladesh Country Programme (2016-2021)

Prepared for: Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)

Prepared by: Strengthening Inclusive Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts (SID-CHT)

IDB Bhaban (7th Floor), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka-1207

February 2019

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS:

ACRONYMS: ............................................................................................................................................... 5
PROJECT SUMMARY: ............................................................................................................................... 7

Executive Summary:................................................................................................................................. 8
AFSP III Achievements against Targets (February to 31 December 2018) 10

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 13

1.1 Project Objectives: ........................................................................................................................... 14

1.2 AFSP III Targeted Area:................................................................................................................... 15
2. PROGRESS OF AFSP III:..................................................................................................................... 15
2.1 Outcome I: Agricultural production of female and male marginal and small farm
households increased and diversified through IFM-FFS in the Chittagong Hill Tracts: ........ 15

2.1.1 Output 1: Community groups and stakeholders mobilized through establishment

of IFM-FFS ................................................................................................................................................ 16
Activity 1.1 : Stakeholder (UzDCC, UDCC, HDC, GoB etc.) mobilisation meeting on FFS at
Upazilla Level: ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Activity 1.2: Training for PDC EC members from PDCs/paras on IFM-FFS implementation
process, monitoring and role of PDCs: .................................................................................................. 16
Activity 1.3: Community Mobilization and FFS Formation: ......................................................... 17
Activity 1.4: Selection of Farmer Facilitators ....................................................................................... 18
Activity 1.5: Capacity building training for project staff (i.e. community mobilization,
supervision, monitoring & reporting). .............................................................................................. 19

2.1.2 Output 2: IFM FFS Curricula Developed and Promoted ................................................ 19

Activity 2.1: Develop and regularly update curricula for IFM FFS menu modules ................. 19

Activity 2.2 IFM-FFS Modules, Registers finalised and printed .................................................. 20

2.1.3 Output 3: Knowledge and skills of CHT stakeholders [Master trainers, FFS
Facilitators, Government of Bangladesh (GoB) Officers] enhanced .......................................... 20

Activity 3.1: ToT for Master Trainers on IFM-FFS: .......................................................................... 21

Activity 3.2: ToF for FFs on IFM-FFS. ................................................................................................. 21
Activity 3.3: Training for project staffs and GoB line department officials on AFSP III and
FFS implementation: .............................................................................................................................. 22

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Activity 3.4 Refresher Training for FFs: ............................................................................................. 22
2.1.4 Output 4: IFM-FFS implemented through participatory and ‘learning by doing
approach’ .................................................................................................................................................. 23
Activity 4.1: Profiling of IFM FFS Households: ................................................................................ 23
Activity 4.2: Conduct FFS Session: ...................................................................................................... 23
Activity 4.3: FFS Running Cost: ........................................................................................................... 24

Activity 4.4: Support to Farmers - Post FFS Learning utilization: ............................................... 24

Activity 4.5: Organize Farmer Field Days: ......................................................................................... 24

Activity 4.6: Organize Exchange Visit to Explore IFM FFS Learning: ......................................... 24
Activity 4.7: Organize Bimonthly FF Coordination Meeting: ....................................................... 25

Activity 4.8: Organize Monitoring visit by GoB officers (DAE,DLS, DOF)and other
stakeholders............................................................................................................................................. 25
Activity 4.9: Monitoring visits by UDCC, UzDCC, DWG etc. ......................................................... 26
Activity 4.10: Organize FFS Learning Sharing workshop at District and Regional level ....... 26
Activity 4.11: Organize Monthly AFSP III coordination meeting at HDCs................................ 26
2.1.5 Output 5: Input supply and market linkages promoted and facilitated ................... 27
Activity 5.1: Support community managed collection Points for improving market
facilities ..................................................................................................................................................... 27

Activity 5.2: Training for Input Suppliers/Input sellers: ............................................................... 27

Activity 5.3: Training (new bacth/refreshers) for community level service providers on
agricultural services ............................................................................................................................... 27
Activity 5.4: Learning visit to other area of best marketing facilities for farmers ................. 27

Activity 5.5: Facilitate market linkages workshops- Agri-Business Networks (ABN) actors
and Farmers ............................................................................................................................................. 27
Activity 5.6 Facilitate Quarterly ABN meetings .............................................................................. 28

2.2 Outcome 2: Hill District Councils (HDC) are managing transferred agricultural services
in line with CHT Peace Accord: ........................................................................................................... 31

2.2.1 Output 6: Coordination enhanced and HDC strengthened to manage transferred

agriculture services and monitor Local Resilience Plans .............................................................. 31
Activity 6.1: Support to strenghten HDC's capacity and enhance coordination to manage
agricultural services ............................................................................................................................... 31

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Activity 6.2: Organize District Working Group Meeting:.............................................................. 32
Activity 6.3: Conduct Consultative Workshops: .............................................................................. 32

Activity 6.4 Support to Local Resilience Plans Develop under CCRP:........................................ 32

3. Visibility & Communication: ........................................................................................................... 32

4. Project Management and Partnerships:....................................................................................... 32

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: ............................................................................................................ 33
6. Lesson Learned Challenges and Action Taken: ........................................................................... 35
7. Budget and Expenditure: ................................................................................................................. 36

8. NEXT PLAN/WAY FORWARD:......................................................................................................... 37

Annex: 1 AFSP III Guideline for Selection of Communities for new FFS support: .................. 42
Annex:2 GUIDELINE FOR SELECTION OF FARMER FACILITATORS (FF) ..................................... 45

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ACRONYMS:
ABN Agri-Business Network

AFSP I Agriculture and Food Security Project Phase I

AFSP II Agriculture and Food Security Project Phase II

AGEP Agricultural Growth and Employment Programme

APU Agricultural Planning Unit

BARI Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

BDT Bangladeshi Taka

BHDC Bandarban Hill District Council

BTOR Back To Office Report

CARP Community Aquaculture Resource Person

CBO Community Based Organization

CCRP CHT Climate Resilience Project

CHT Chittagong Hill Tracts

CHTDF Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility

CHTRC CHT Regional Council

CLW Community Livestock Worker

DAE Department of Agricultural Extension

DLS Department of Livestock Services

DoF Department of Fisheries

DANIDA Danish International Development Agency

DKK Danish Kroner

DQA Data Quality Assessment

DWG District Working Group

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FGD Focus Group Discussion

FF Farmer Facilitator

FFS Farmer Field School

GoB Government of Bangladesh

GPS Global Positioning System

HDC Hill District Council

HH Household

IFM Integrated Farm Management

IFM-FFS Integrated Farm Management-Farmer Field School

IFMC Integrated Farm Management Component

KHDC Khagrachari Hill District Council

M&E Monitoring & Evaluation

MoA Ministry of Agriculture

MoCHTA Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs

MT Master Trainer

NGO Non-Government Organization

PDC Para Development Committee

RHDC Rangamati Hill District Council

SAAO Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer

SID-CHT Strengthening Inclusive Development in Chittagong Hill Tract

ToF Training of Facilitators

ToT Training of Trainers

USD United States Dollar

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

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PROJECT SUMMARY:
Project No: 00094983

Project Title: Agriculture and Food Security Project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts -Phase III
(AFSP III)

Project Start February 2018

Date:

Project End 30 June 2021

Date:

Reporting February to 31 December 2018

Period:

Project Budget: DKK 37 Million (USD 5.89 Million)

Executing Strengthening Inclusive Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts (SID-CHT),

Agency: UNDP Bangladesh

Responsible Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (MoCHTA)

Ministry:

Project Area Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari Hill Districts of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts of Bangladesh

Beneficiaries The marginal and small farmers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
covered:

Project 1. Increased pro-poor inclusive agricultural growth and sustainable

Objective: employment creation for marginal and small farm households with
enhanced food security in Chittagong Hill Tracts,

2. Hill District Councils with enhanced capacity to manage transferred

agricultural services in line with CHT Peace Accord.
Project Outcome 1: Agricultural productivity of female and male marginal and small
Outcomes farm households increased and diversified through IFM-FFS in the Chittagong
Hill Tracts

Outcome 2: Hill District Councils are managing transferred agricultural

services in line with the CHT Peace Accord
Contact Prasenjit Chakma
Person:
National Project Manager, SID-CHT, UNDP

Email: [email protected]

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Executive Summary:
The Agriculture and Food Security Project in Chittagong Hill Tracts (AFSP III) (Feb’2018-Jun’2021)
aims to support 1200 paras/villages with a total coverage of 30,000 poor and marginal farm
households (138,000 people) in CHT districts by gradually establishing 1,200 new FFS in 26
Upazilas across CHT. The objective of AFSP III is to increase pro-poor inclusive agricultural growth
and sustainable employment creation for marginal and small farm households with enhanced
food security in Chittagong Hill Tracts and to enhance HDCs capacity to manage transferred
agricultural services in line with CHT Peace Accord, through building on the key learnings of the
AFSP I and AFSP II. The project, which commenced in February 2018, is being rolled out over a
four-years duration in partnership with 3 HDCs, and with support by the Danish Government. The
total project budget is DKK 37 Million (USD 5.89 Million).

During the first year of AFSP III, a series of preparatory activities were completed, and the project
moved successfully to deliver the planned outputs. As of end December 2018, a total of 7,130
selected farmers (of whom 62% were women) attended 270 Farmer Field Schools (FFS) established
by the project (in open space) and received training on improved agricultural cultivation and
better farming methods. This, in turn, is expected to increase household level production and
diversify sources of income of the target farmers overtime. A newly developed FFS curriculum was
tested in these FFS through ‘learning by doing’ approach, established learning plots from where
FFS farmers’ gathered knowledge and skills.

The preparatory activities included establishment of 270 FFS (out of 1,200 planned under the AFSP
III), and selection and training of 270 farmer facilitators (FFs) (34% female FF) assigned to each of
the 270 FFS. The FF selection was done in accordance with FF recruitment guideline developed by
the project – which included vetting of FF candidates by Hill District Councils (HDC) and technical
line departments to ensure their competency and a transparent selection process. The FF training
was done through a training of trainers (TOT) approach; initially training was organized for 31
master trainers (MTs), currently 28 existing, who in turn trained 270 FFs. The training venues with
residential facilities were same as AFSP II being one venue at Department of Livestock Services in
Rangamati, one in Horticulture Development Centre in Bandarban and one in Pahari Krishi
Gobeshana Kendra in Khagrachari. Apart from the 270 FFS already established and functioning,
930 communities have also been identified for FFS establishment gradually in 2019 and 2020. A
series of mobilization activities such as workshops and consultation meetings were held at all
levels (national, district, and community stakeholders) to achieve these results and to ensure clarity
of AFSP III objectives and processes to obtain stakeholders’ ‘buy-in’. For example, 1,203 Para
Development Committees (PDCs) and executive committee (EC) members of PDCs were informed
on the FFS concept, implementation processes, and relevant project activities. Moreover, 654
persons from different stakeholders of Union, Upazila and District levels of key government
departments, LGIs and other key stakeholders were oriented on AFSP III.

The FFS curriculum was developed by incorporating lessons learnt from the AFSP II and following
the participatory identification of high value crops (Mushroom, Orange/Malta, Jum Chilli, Papaya
and Betel leaf). The AFSP III curriculum consists of 60 sessions/topics and 11 FFS modules which
will be regularly updated through periodic review. The validation workshop engaging technical

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experts helped finalize the FFS curriculum development process while ensuring its quality and
relevance in the CHT.

The project faced few challenges most of which are similar to previously implemented AFSP II;
however, those challenges were overcome utilizing experiences gained over tme. Financial
delivery is also progressing well, with the project incurring an eligible expenditure of USD
1,713,468 up to 31 December 2018.

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 Table 1: AFSP III Achievements against Targets (February to 31 December 2018)
SL Indicators Activities Target Achievements
Output 1: Community groups and stakeholders mobilized through establishment of IFM-FFS
1.1 # of FFS Stakeholder (UzDCC, 26 upazila • 26 upazila
formed/established, UDCC, HDC, GoB etc.) • 551 people participation (male:455,
including women mobilisation meeting female: 96)
(50%) and men on FFS at Upazilla Level:
participated in Training for PDC EC 2000 PDC EC • 2012 members (male:1429, female:
mobilization members from members 583)
initiatives. PDCs/paras on IFM-FFS
implementation process,
monitoring and role of
PDCs:
Community Mobilization 270 FFS • 270 FFS
and FFS Formation:
Selection of Farmer 270 FF • 270 FF (male:178, female: 92)
Facilitators
Capacity building training 34 staff • 34 (male:28, female: 6)
for project staff (i.e.
community mobilization,
supervision, monitoring &
reporting).
Output 2: IFM FFS Curricula Developed and Promoted
# of Modules Develop and regularly 11 modules • 11 modules developed;
2.1 developed with update curricula for IFM • 24 FGDs conducted;
inclusion and FFS menu modules • 03 district level workshops
testing of relevant conducted;
farming HH’s • 01 regional level curricula
reliance on climate development workshop organized;
change issues into • 01 curricula validation workshops
FFS curriculum organized;
• The final draft curricula also tested
among FFS Facilitators, MT and FFF
during ToT courses and feedbacks
were accommodated;
IFM-FFS Modules, 11 modules • 11 modules finalized;
Registers finalised and • 1750 copies of registers printed;
printed
Output 3: Knowledge and skills of CHT stakeholders [Master trainers, FFS Facilitators, Government of
Bangladesh (GoB) Officers] enhanced
3.1 # of Master ToT for Master Trainers 28 MTs • 28 MTs (male:20, female: 8)
trainers, FFS on IFM-FFS:
Facilitators, ToF for FFs on IFM-FFS. 270 FFs • 270 FF (male:178, female: 92)
Government of Training for project staffs 103 GoB • 103 FF (male:91, female: 12)
and GoB line department Officers

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SL Indicators Activities Target Achievements
Bangladesh (GoB) officials on AFSP III and
Officers FFS implementation
Output 4: IFM-FFS implemented through participatory and ‘learning by doing approach’
4.1 % of IFM-FFS Household Profiling of 270 IFM FFS • 270 IFM FFS households profiling
participants IFM FFS households prepared
graduated Conduct FFS Session Average 3 to • Total 3,375 sessions conducted;
(disaggregated by 4 sessions • Average 3 sessions per FFS each
sex and age) with % per FFS each month;
women month • Average 23 farmers participated each
session out of 25 farmers;
• Total 777 study plots established at
community level;
Exchange Visit to Explore 3 exchange • 01 learning visits organized at
IFM FFS Learning visits Bandarban District;
• 02 cross learning visits were
organized (01 at CHT and other at
IFMC working region)
Organize Bimonthly FF 104 • 72 bi-monthly FF Coordination
Coordination Meeting coordination meetings were organized with
meetings average 10 participants at Upazilla
level
Organize Monitoring visit Need base • A total of 1528 monitoring visits (124
by GoB officers (DAE, DLS, by GoB line department
DOF) and other (DAE/DoF/DLS) Officers, 152 by MT,
stakeholders. 1006 by Upazilla FFSCs and 246 by
other AFSP staff)
Monitoring visits by UDCC Need base • 118 monitoring visits by UDCC,
(Union Development UzDCC, DWG.
Coordination
Committee), UzDCC
(Upazila Development
Coordination
Committee), DWG
(District Working Group)
etc.
Output 5: Input supply and market linkages promoted and facilitated
5.1 • # of FFS linked to Training for Input 240 • 247 farming input suppliers
traders/buyers for Suppliers/Input sellers participants (male:236, female: 11) such as seed
selling their sellers, fertilizer seller, pesticide seller,
agricultural poultry and fish feed sellers, poultry
produces and livestock vaccines and medicine
(collection centers seller were trained
and group Training for community 75 • 45 youth farmers developed as
marketing) level service providers on Community Community Livestock Workers (CLW)
agricultural services Livestock

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SL Indicators Activities Target Achievements
• % of HHs with Workers
access to quality (CLW)
agricultural inputs Facilitate Quarterly ABN 26 meetings • 19 Agrobusiness Network meetings
meetings were organized with participation of
356 (male:331 female:25) attendants
such as farmer representatives,
collection point operators, forward
market businesses (arothdar, paikar,
bapery), backward market businesses
(input sellers/suppliers), community
service providers.
Output 6: Coordination enhanced and HDC strengthened to manage transferred agriculture services and
monitor Local Resilience Plans
6.1 • # of coordination Organize District Working 9 meetings • 7 coordination meetings organized
meeting Group Meeting with participation of Hill District
• # of consultative Council representatives, district level
workshop officers from three-line departments
• # of Local (DLS, DAE and DoF), and AFSP District
Resilience Plan Officer
Conduct Consultative 0 • Planned for year 2019
Workshops
Support to Local 0 • LRP development initiatives are taking
Resilience Plans Develop place under CCRP project
under CCRP (CHT Climate
Resilience Project)

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1. INTRODUCTION

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region home to 11 different ethnic groups, in addition to the
Bengali population, and has a population of 1.6 million, 70% of whom live in the rural areas. More
than two decades of conflict, ending with a peace accord in 1997, have left the majority of its
inhabitants in conditions of extreme poverty. Moreover, communities in the region are
increasingly experiencing the impact of environmental and climate changes on their livelihoods,
deforestation, landslide, seasonal water scarcity, soil erosion and flash flood during monsoon.
Traditionally indigenous communities practice Jum cultivation, a local form of ‘shifting’ or
‘rotational’ slash and burn cultivation. Out of an estimated 364,000 acres of available cultivable
land 27 percent is used for Jum, 20 percent is under plough cultivation, 18 percent is set aside for
homesteads and 35 percent is used for plantation or left to fallow. More recently there has been
poor use of appropriate farming practices for a range of reasons, including: a lack of knowledge
and skills, supply constraints, land shortages, financial limitation or poor access to markets. As a
result those communities located in the remotest parts of CHT live in chronic poverty and with
very restricted access to services. Other development challenges include a high degree of under-
employment, low literacy and limited economic opportunities. The 2013 Household Survey
conducted by Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) (n=2,500 households)
identified that 74 percent households of CHT live below upper poverty line and 52.4 percent
households live below the lower poverty line, as per the direct calorie intake method.

The Agriculture and Food Security Project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (AFSP III) is being
implemented to improve the overall situation mentioned earlier under Strengthening Inclusive
Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts (SID-CHT) project of Ministry of CHT Affairs and UNDP.
UNDP through funding from DANIDA has implemented the Agriculture and Food Security Project
in two phases during 2009 - June 2013 and July 2013 to 31 December 2017 benefitting a total of
59,045 poor and marginal farmers through 2,490 Farmer Field Schools in 121 Unions of 26
Upazilas of 3 Hill Districts in the area of Integrated Farm Management, improved farming practices
on crops, fruits, vegetables, spices, livestock and fish.

The current AFSP III (Feb’2018-Jun’2021) aims to support 1200 paras/villages with a total coverage
of 30,000 poor and marginal farm households (138,000 people) in CHT districts by gradually
establishing 1,200 new FFS in 26 Upazilas across CHT. The AFSP III works to increase pro-poor,
inclusive agricultural growth and sustainable employment creation for marginal and small farm
households with enhanced food security in the CHT, through building on the key learnings of
AFSP II during formulation of curricula and modules addressing new strategies on mainstreaming
nutrition and consumption of nutritious foods, climate change impacts and high value crops etc.
It also seeks to enhance capacity of Hill District Councils to manage transferred agricultural
services in line with CHT Peace Accord. In partnership with three HDCs, the project is being rolled

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out over a four-year duration from Feb 2018 to June 2021. The planned duration of FFS is season
long - 12 months, with three months follow-up support and monitoring after the completion of
the FFS cycle. Emphasis is placed on building the capacity of smallholders and communities to
increase agricultural productivity and income via strengthening skills on production, value
addition, and marketing. It also focuses on engaging all actors in the sector (government bodies,
input suppliers, other private service providers, and potential buyers) to increase sustainability.

1.1 Project Objectives:

The objectives of the Development Engagement (DE) are:
1. Increased pro-poor inclusive agricultural growth and sustainable employment creation for
marginal and small farm households with enhanced food security in Chittagong Hill Tracts,

2. Hill District Councils with enhanced capacity to manage transferred agricultural services in line
with CHT Peace Accord.

The above specific objectives will be achieved by below two outcomes:

Outcome 1: Agricultural productivity of female and male marginal and small farm households
increased and diversified through IFM FFS in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

Outcome 2: Hill District Councils are managing transferred agricultural services in line with the
CHT Peace Accord

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1.2 AFSP III Targeted Area:

The AFSP III intervention areas targeted for 26

upazilas (7 upazilas in Bandarban, 9 upazilas in
khagrachari and 10 upazilas in Rangamati
District) in CHT with gradually inclusion of 30,000
poor and marginalized households 1 through
1200 Farmer Field School (FFS) in CHT. A total of
138,000 people that represents 8% of the
population in CHT will be enriched through the
implementation of Farmer Field School, refer the
AFSP III map on district wise coverage.

The AFSP III targeted to cover all 26 upazilas

within the CHT, the upazilas are as follows: (i)
Bandarban: Alikadam, Bandarban Sadar, Lama,
Naikhongchari, Rowangachari, Ruma, and
Thanchi (ii) Khagrachari: Dighinala, Guimara,
Khagrachari Sadar, Lakshmichari, Mahalachari,
Manikchari, Matiranga, Panchari and Ramghar.
(iii) Rangamati: Baghaichari, Barkal, Bilaichari, Jurachari, Kaptai, Kawkhali, Longadu, Naniachar,
Rajasthali and Rangamati Sadar.

2. PROGRESS OF AFSP III:

2.1 Outcome I: Agricultural production of female and male marginal and small farm
households increased and diversified through IFM-FFS in the Chittagong Hill Tracts:

The Agriculture and Food Security Project Phase III targets to support 1200 communities through
implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Communities have been selected from the already
supported AFSP II communities as well as new ones in CHT, considering prevailing vulnerability as
a criterion for selection. The implementation of Farmer Field School follows as one integrated
systems of farm components of farmers with further focus on mainstreaming the nutrition, climate
change and impacts and increased access to markets towards empowerment of farmers. Learning
of AFSP II have been utilizing during organizing activities under AFSP III. The project aims to
achieve two outcomes towards inclusive agricultural growth and improving the capacities of Hill

1
Considering average 6 people in each household and the project targeted to cover around 138,000 people that represents
around 8% of the population in CHT.

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District Councils to manage transferred agricultural services. The first outcome envisages to
increase and diversify the agricultural productions of female and male marginal farmers through
establishment of Farmer Field Schools. The outcome combines the effect of organizing below
outputs with subsequent activities:

• Community groups and stakeholders mobilized through establishment of IFM-FFS

• IFM FFS Curricula Developed and Promoted
• Knowledge and skills of CHT stakeholders [Master trainers, FFS Facilitators, Government of
Bangladesh (GoB) Officers] enhanced
• IFM-FFS implemented through participatory and ‘learning by doing approach’
• Input supply and market linkages promoted and facilitated.

2.1.1 Output 1: Community groups and stakeholders mobilized through establishment of

IFM-FFS

Activity 1.1 : Stakeholder (UzDCC, UDCC, HDC, GoB etc.) mobilisation meeting on FFS at Upazilla
Level:

26 Upazilla level workshops were organized at Upazilla level, participating 551members (female-
96, male-455) to mobilize stakeholders on selection of communities for FFS establishment and
getting required support from stakeholders. Representatives of Hill District Councils, Upazilla
Parishads, Union Parishads, traditional institutions, community leaders and project staff were
attended in workshops and oriented on project interventions and support required to implement
project activities. Within the workshop, participants were oriented on community selection
guideline (Annex I) and following which they prepared primary list of communities for AFSP III
interventions considering prevailing the vulnerabilities. Stakeholders were sensitized through this
mobilization activity and extended cooperation to implementation of project activities.

Activity 1.2: Training for PDC EC members from PDCs/paras on IFM-FFS implementation process,
monitoring and role of PDCs:

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PDC Executive members played a vital Male and Female Participation Ration of PDC EC
role for community mobilization, FF Members
recruitment, FFS community selection
and monitoring support to FFS. In this
Female
reporting period, a total of 2012 PDC
Executive Committee members (30%
female) trained and well-known on IFM-
Male
FFS implementation process, monitoring
and their role and responsibilities to FFS.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
As immediate results of this training, PDC
executives have been providing support in running the FFS including mobilization, monitoring
and follow-up of FFS session, farmers attendance and need base support for FFS implementation.

Activity 1.3: Community Mobilization and FFS Formation:

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In the very beginning after HDC
based staff recruitment an
orientation training was organized
with participation of AFSP III core
staff followed by stakeholder
mobilization and consultation
meeting at District and Upazila. FFS
communities were selected through
participatory discussion with
community people and screening
process involving upazila and district
level team members, line
department representatives and as
per AFSP III community selection
guideline 2 . The existing Para
Development Committee (PDC)
where available provided necessary
support on the selection process of
the Farmer Field School (FFS). The
project total target is to cover 1200
FFS in the project cycle gradually, in
this reporting period the community
mobilization process done in 270
communities as the part of FFS
implementation. Below is the district
wise FFS communities selection
location map of AFSP III:

Activity 1.4: Selection of Farmer Facilitators

During the reporting period, 270 farmers Facilitators (female-92, male-178) of them 34% women
were selected to run FFS in 03 hill districts. Each FF was assigned to run 3 FFS gradually at own
and neighboring communities. The selection process was done in accordance with “Farmer
Facilitator selection guideline (Annex II). The selection process includes mobilization of farmers
to enroll into selection process, screening, aptitude test and primary nomination by a selection
committee and finally successful completion of first spell ToF course for Farmer Facilitators. The
key emphasis was given to have an active, experienced farmer as potential candidate from local

2
The community selection guideline’s basic criterions included coverage of diversified ethnicities, household numbers,
farming practices, lack of safety net coverage, remoteness, food insecurity and inclusion of women headed households.

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community. Upon completion of procedure, selected 270 Farmer Facilitators have been trained
to run FFS at local communities. Learning from previous experience, the project kept good
number of candidates into roster as immediate response to a turnover situation during project
lifespan.

Activity 1.5: Capacity building training for project staff (i.e. community mobilization,
supervision, monitoring & reporting).

In the beginning of year 2018, a two days long residential training has been organized on
community mobilization, supervision, monitoring and reporting mechanism of AFSP III. The
project core staffs including HDCs and SID-CHT participated and obtained a clear understanding
on effective monitoring and reporting tools and techniques, data collection and quality control
mechanism, dataflow and reporting diagram, data entry and maintenance of database. A total of
34 participants (27 male and 6 female)
from HDC and SID-CHT participated and
got common understanding. The training
involved hands on practice and relevant
exercises to specific roles. It was decided
that the HDC based Monitoring Officer will
be the focal person to maintain the
monitoring and reporting database at
HDCs level and District FFS Expert is the
focal person of SID-CHT, District Team.

2.1.2 Output 2: IFM-FFS Curricula Developed and Promoted

Activity 2.1: Develop and regularly update curricula for IFM FFS menu modules

The curricula of FFS under AFSP III was prepared following series of consultations involving
different level stakeholders including farmers, representatives from local communities, Farmer
Facilitators, project staff, representative’s local government institutions, GoB line department
Officers, and Scientists of CHT research institutions. The curricula development process also
considered the review of various secondary materials, incorporated experience of similar
implementations in CHT and materialized recommendations of relevant implementation for
preparing a contextual and demand driven curriculum for CHT farmers. The Curriculum
Development Team (CDT), comprising of Technical Coordinator- FFS Training and Quality, District
FFS Experts and selective Master Trainers who lead the process for curriculum development.
Following process applied for curriculum development

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 ▪ 24 FGDs were conducted amongst farmers at FFS and non-FFS communities to capture
the need of farmers including identifying lessons learnt.
▪ 03 district level workshops were organized involving farmers, Farmer Facilitators,
traditional leaders, AFSP staff and GoB line department Officers for finalizing inputs
including contents to address the need of farmers within district.
▪ 01 regional level curricula development workshop was organized, participating the
representatives of district level participants for preparing CHT level draft FFS
curriculum with accommodating feedbacks of district level workshop outcomes.
▪ 01 curricula validation workshops organized to validate the prepared draft curriculum
participating farmers, Farmer Facilitators, AFSP project staff, GoB line department
Officers and Scientists of CHT research institutions and feedbacks of participants were
accommodated in final draft curricula.
▪ The final draft curricula also tested among FFS Facilitators including Master Trainers
and Farmer Facilitators during ToT courses and feedbacks were accommodated.
▪ Technical Coordination Meeting found a forum for identifying and accommodating
the technical adjustment need.

AFSP III curricula comprise of 60 sessions, grouped into 11 modules including preparatory,
vegetables gardening, fruit gardening, rice cultivation, poultry rearing, pig rearing, cattle rearing,
fish culture in pond/creek, marketing, nutrition and high value crops. The curricula also include
some general sessions with special topics to address need of CHT farmers. The FFS curriculum
considers as always, a draft which admits the accommodation of feedbacks as and when required
to meet demand of farmers.

Activity 2.2 IFM-FFS Modules, Registers finalised and printed

11 modules, named preparatory, vegetables gardening, fruit gardening, rice cultivation, poultry
rearing, pig rearing, cattle rearing, fish culture in pond/creek, marketing,
nutrition and high value crops developed for utilizing in AFSP III. These
modules have been utilizing by Farmer Facilitators to roll out FFS sessions
into communities.

1750 FFS registers are printed and distributed to respective concern. The
register comprises with detail information of FFS including community
resources, farmers enrollment and attendance in sessions, study plot
information with farmer’s reaction and monitoring feedbacks. Farmer
Facilitators have been maintaining FFS records within these printed
registers.

2.1.3 Output 3: Knowledge and skills of CHT stakeholders [Master trainers, FFS Facilitators,
Government of Bangladesh (GoB) Officers] enhanced

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Activity 3.1: ToT for Master Trainers on IFM-FFS:

During the reporting period, 28 Master Trainers (female 08 and male 20) have been developed
to roll out ToF sessions for Farmer Facilitators. The ToT course for Master Trainers were
organized for 22 days in 03 spells (01st spell-06 days, 2nd spell-08 days and 3rd spell-08 days)
with residential facilities at Khagrachari and Bandarban district. The course schedule includes the
curricula contents, facilitation skill
developments and extra curriculum activities
that require to develop a participant to Master
Trainer. Course participants are GoB line
department Officers, Master Trainers, selective
Upazilla FFS Coordinators and other potential
staff under AFSP III project. Among developed
Master Trainers 08 personnel joined from GoB
line departments (DAE, DoF and DLS). Technical
Coordinator, District FFS Experts and 01
Resource person from Integrated Farm
Management Component were engaged to
facilitate the training course. As outcome of this training respective participants have been
running ToF course for Farmer Facilitators and providing backstopping support to FFS
implementation.

Activity 3.2: ToF for FFs on IFM-FFS.

During the reporting period 270 Farmer Facilitators (female-92, male-178) have been developed
in 03 Hill districts (Bandarban-90,
Khagrachari-90, Rangamati-90) through
Season Long Learning Course on
Integrated Farm Management Farmer
Field School. Learning from experiences
revealed that good Farmer Facilitators
leads to ensure good Farmer Field
School. Therefore, the project
concentrated more to developing the
quality of Farmer Facilitators through
guiding the ToF course by the “learning
by doing approach” with hands on practice and sharing of experiences. Besides Farmer
Facilitators have been motivating to develop as model farmer that have been contributing in

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developing confidence of Farmer Facilitators. As immediate result trained FFs have been running
FFS sessions in their respective communities.

Activity 3.3: Training for project staffs and GoB line department officials on AFSP III and
FFS implementation:

18 Upazilla FFS Coordinators (female-03, male-15) from HDCs were trained for 3 days on IFM FFS
implementation approach including their roles while organizing activities in the field.
As immediate outcome, trained staffs have been extending support to FFs and organizing
initiatives required for FFS implementation in the field.

103 GoB Officers (female-12, male-91), designated as Upazilla Agriculture Officers, Upazilla
Fisheries Officer, Upazilla Livestock Officer, Agriculture Extension Officer, Veterinary Surgeon,
Veterinary Field Assistants, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer from GoB line departments (DAE, DLS
and DoF) were trained for 3 days on IFM-FFS implementation approach including monitoring of
FFS in the field. During the training participants also trained monitoring process practically in the
field. As outcome trained GoB Officers have been providing monitoring support to FFS
implementation in the field. As immediate results of the training, the GoB officers conducted 128
monitoring visits to IFM-FFS and provided technical suggestions/advices to FFS participants,
established linkages between farmers and government line departments for inputs and available
service delivery options.

34 Project staff (female-06, male-28) from HDCs and SID-CHT Project with designation as District
Officers, Monitoring and Reporting Officers, Upazilla FFS Coordinators, District FFS Experts were
trained with hands on
practice for 02 days on
monitoring process
including tools, database
maintenance and GPS
coordinates collection
procedure. Upon
receiving training trained
staff have been providing
monitoring support in the
field, maintaining
progress database and
collected GPS
coordinates of established FFS in the field. As immediate outcome of training, trained participants
provided 1404 monitoring visits during this reporting period to implementing 270 Farmer Field
Schools.

Activity 3.4 Refresher Training for FFs:

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This activity planned to organize in 2nd quarter of 2019 upon completion the implementation of
01st cycle FFS.

2.1.4 Output 4: IFM-FFS implemented through participatory and ‘learning by doing

approach’

Activity 4.1: Profiling of IFM FFS Households:

During the reporting period, the household profiling of 270 newly formed FFS, accumulating
total 7130 farming households completed successfully those have been analyzed and stored as
individual baseline information of respective farmers. The findings show that the majority of FFS
members are fulltime farmers. Moreover, the educational status, types of animals and birds
reared vaccination status of the animals and poultry were captured of each household from this
profiling. This profiling will support tracking the changing status of each household over the
project period. The profiling database appeared as 62% of enrolled farmers are women
participants in established FFS.

Activity 4.2: Conduct FFS Session:

Initial after community selection and FF training, FFS session has been conducting at the
community level. In this reporting period, a total of 3,375 FFS sessions (average 3 sessions in each
FFS per month) were conducted where farmers have been getting opportunities to learn on
improved agricultural cultivation;
and have been establishing
study plots through learning by
doing approach. In total 776
study plots already established
at community level, and 270
Farmer Facilitators (FFs) have
been directly engaged to
facilitate FFS sessions as per the
guideline following IFM-FFS
curriculum. Over 7,100 farmers of
270 communities participated in the session where average 23 farmers participated out of average
25 participants in each FFS. The gender segregated data showed that women and men participants
were 63 percent and 37 percent respectively, which indicates greater female participation in the
FFS sessions of AFSP III.

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Activity 4.3: FFS Running Cost:

Provided FFS running cost to 270 established FFS for managing expenses of training materials for
FFS sessions and setting study plots for exploring learning. As outcome of this activity, weekly FFS
sessions being organizing in established FFS and 777 study plots were established to those FFS.

Activity 4.4: Support to Farmers - Post FFS Learning utilization:

The activity will start during 09-12 months of FFS cycle thus it planned to organize during 01st to
2nd quarter of 2019.

Activity 4.5: Organize Farmer Field Days:

The activity will start during 09-12 months of FFS cycle thus it planned to organize during 2nd
quarter of 2019.

Activity 4.6: Organize Exchange Visit to Explore IFM FFS Learning:

01 learning visits organized, 13 personnel (female-03, male-10) attended with participation of

farmers, Farmer Facilitators, GoB line department Officers, selective Upazilla FFS Coordinators and
Master Trainers in Bandarban to evident and explore the learning of FFS. Exchange visit
participants have been replicating learning to own area that they acquired from the visit.

02 cross learning visits were organized

(01 at CHT and other at IFMC working
region), participating key staff of AFSP
and IFMC. One visit was hosted by AFSP
team in Rangamati and Khagrachari
district during November 2018 another
visit was hosted by IFMC team at its
Jessore working region in February 2018.
During the visit both teams shared
critical observations including technical
feedbacks to each other team those found helpful for improving FFS implementation strength.

01 international study tour was organized to Malaysia and Indonesia participating 10 officials from
primarily from Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, whilst other participants were selected
from Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

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Activity 4.7: Organize Bimonthly FF Coordination Meeting:

72 bi-monthly FF Coordination meetings were organized with average 10 participants at Upazilla

level to review the progress thus plan the FFS implementation for effectively organize of activities
in the field. Upazila FFS Coordinator facilitated this meeting where Upazila level GoB line
departments (DLS, DAE and DoF) and the service providers i.e. Community Live Stock Worker
(CLW), Community Poultry Workers (CPW) and Community Aquaculture Resource Person (CARP)
participated. These helped:

a. sharing FFs field experiences;

b. becoming aware of implementation status and progress of FFS;

c. getting opportunities/information of service providers (e.g. Vaccination);

d. Generating suggestions/initiatives from line department; and

e. Identifying challenges including opportunities for effectively organize of activities

Activity 4.8: Organize Monitoring visit by GoB officers (DAE,DLS, DOF)and other
stakeholders.

Process and progress monitoring mechanism are in place within implementation framework of
AFSP III. During this reporting period 1528 monitoring visits were organized of those 152
monitoring visits made by Master Trainers, 1006 visits made by Upazilla FFS Coordinators, 246
monitoring visits made by other AFSP staff and 124 monitoring visits were made by GoB line
department (DAE/DoF/DLS) Officers to implementing 270 FFS to monitor the process closely and
extend support to the FFS implementation.

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Activity 4.9: Monitoring visits by UDCC, UzDCC, DWG etc.

118 monitoring visits made by Union Development

Coordination Committees (UDCC) and Upazilla
Development Coordination Committees (UzDCC) during
this reporting period.

07 monitoring visits organized, participating 48 District

Working Group (DWG) members more specifically
responsible Counsellors of HDCs, head of GoB line
departments (DAE, DoF, DLS), HDC based AFSP District
Officer to witnessed practical scenario in the field and
find measures to establish the linkages need.

Based on identified monitoring findings, AFSP staff accommodated feedbacks for further
improvement of programmatic strength.

Activity 4.10: Organize FFS Learning Sharing workshop at District and Regional level

These activities are planned to organize during 2nd quarter of 2019.

Activity 4.11: Organize Monthly AFSP III coordination meeting at HDCs

31 monthly AFSP III Coordination Meetings

organized with attendance of average 17
participants at district level. Meeting
participants were joined from Hill District
Council based AFSP III staff working within
district and SID-CHT, UNDP project staff
working within and apart from district.
During the meeting participants discussed the implementation progress, identify challenges and
plan the implementations for following month. The meeting found effective for enhance the
coordination and support and responsibilities and implying decisions. The monthly meeting acted
as an interactive forum for AFSP upazila level staff to present their findings/observation and
solutions to potential problems.

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Output 5: Input supply and market linkages promoted and facilitated

Activity 5.1: Support community managed collection Points for improving market facilities

FFS farmers have been organized into Producer Groups capable of planning their production and
market their products collectively. Collection points found a point for linking buyers and producers
thus selection of collection point places including mobilization of communities have been
ongoing for rendering support for establishment. The project planned to support communities
for increased access to market through mobilizing communities for group marketing and linking
buyers and producers at collection points.

Activity 5.2: Training for Input Suppliers/Input sellers:

202 farming input suppliers (women:11, men: 236) such as seed sellers, fertilizer seller, pesticide
seller, poultry and fish feed sellers, poultry and livestock vaccines and medicine seller were trained
on quality of inputs, precautionary measures and general advises during selling of inputs. During
the training many participants expressed that they have been doing business long time but this is
first ever they received training on quality of inputs that surely helpful for identifying quality inputs
thus to build a credible business. As outcome of the training, trained input sellers have been selling
quality inputs to farmers and providing general advises to farmers on utilizing farming inputs.

Activity 5.3: Training (new bacth/refreshers) for community level service providers on
agricultural services

45 youth farmers developed as Community Livestock Workers (CLW) through 05 days long hands
on training on primary animal healthcare including vaccination procedures during December
2018. Resource personnel were engaged from Department of Livestock Services and project
internal sources for conduction of this training. As outcome of this training trained CLWs have
been vaccinating animals and providing general health care support to FFS farmers and yet to
date 2632 animals already vaccinated by CLWs.

Activity 5.4: Learning visit to other area of best marketing facilities for farmers

This activity is planned to organize in year 2019

Activity 5.5: Facilitate market linkages workshops- Agri-Business Networks (ABN) actors
and Farmers

This activity is planned to organize in 2019

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Activity 5.6 Facilitate Quarterly ABN meetings

19 Agrobusiness Network meetings were organized with participation of 356 (female-25, male-
331) attendants such as farmer representatives, collection point operators, forward market
businesses (arothdar, paikar, bapery), backward market businesses (input sellers/suppliers),
community service providers for agrobusiness deals and getting market response. This is Upazilla
level event, organize quarterly basis for improving agro-based marketing negotiations. As
outcome of this event businessmen and farmers have been mobilizing for transection
commitments to each other.

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 Success Story 1

An Ordinary Farmer to Model Farmer

The story is all about Mr. Deborshi Chakma (25 years), son of late Amullyo Bikash Chakma from Joy Kumar
Karbari Para, Kabakhali union, Dighinala, Khagrachari district. His father passed away five years ago and he
has to take responsibility of his family but he was unemployed. To manage his family’s living cost he had to
go to Chottogram two years ago through a relative. Since his educational qualification was poor he could
not get better job. He could not provide financial support to his family. After a period, he came back to his
own village. He was engaged as day labor for his income and was an aimless person. But with own interest
he started to watch YouTube, Channel I and DIPTA TV Agricultural programme.

His life started to see new momentum at the time when he got an opportunity as a Farmer Facilitator (FF)
through Khagrachari Hill District Council under AFSP-III intervention. He received “ToT for Farmer
Facilitators on IFM-FFS” and successfully completed three spells training based on which he started his new
responsibility as Farmer Facilitator in June 2018. He started agricultural farming in his own farm and
gradually his knowledge and family situation changed positively. Now he has started sharing knowledge
and hands on practices of his farm with FFS members and villagers. He has started innovative ideological
work in a short time. He produced vermin compost, Banana, Papaya, Beans and Fish in his farm. He already
started to utilize vermicompost in his homestead
gardening and water melon cultivation in organic
system.

Few of his current farming components:

S.N. Ongoing Activities Name Land area and cost Expected income
1. Cucumber 30 decimal , 15,000 70,000
2. Papaya 60 decimal, 20,000 70,000
3. Banana 10 decimal, 5,000 25,000
4. Beans 20 decimal, 2,000 8,000
5. Fish 20 decimal, 80,000 200,000
6. Poultry rearing Tentative cost: 8,000 45,000
7. Vermin Compost Tentative coat: 10,000 120,000 (both use in own land and selling of
earth worm)
8. FYM No specific cost Use only in own farming

Once asked about his current and future plan: “he wants to ensure quality and increases all farm crop
gradually in integrated farming approach, maintain properly as per training knowledge, build up goodwill to
community, be a model farmer and change livelihood”. His future plan is to increase vermi-compost

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production and extend the business, increase Banana and Papaya Gardening in the large scale and establish
a sales center in the Dighinala bazar to sell his organic farm products.

Success Story: 2

More return from homestead garden

“I never properly used my homestead places and fallow land before involving myself with FFS. But
now I’m getting income from it.” as said 45 years old farmer Miz. Sandhya Rani Chakma, one of beneficiary
of Baitta para IFM-FFS. The FFS is located at Longadu sadar union of Longadu upazila of Rangamati and
just 03 km from upazila sadar and mainly communicated with upzaila sadar by roadway. She made herself
as member after formation of IFM-FFS on 19August 2018. A family with 08 members faces problems when
their cultivable land mostly paddy field submersed under Kaptai lake water and even cannot cultivate
vegetable properly at Boro (winter) season. She sometimes cannot harvest rice like other member of the
FFS due to sudden rise of water level. Even don’t use her 30 decimals homestead places for vegetable
gardening. “In this season primarily I get TK-2,500/- after selling coriander, spinach, lalshak and
radishes and again planted coriander, spinach, lalshak and radishes, bottle gourd, red pumpkin,
French bean, tomato, chilli and egg plant and hope to get another TK-5,000/- from my homestead
gardening. I brought every corner of my homestead places under vegetable cultivation.” as she
described. This year she got chance to cultivate vegetables on 05 decimals fridge land. This condition was
started after taking session of homestead space planning. As a result she is not only getting income from it
but also acting as a source of family nutrition. She cultivated on ideal pit and bed mixed with cow dung
used hand pollination and sex pheromone trap technique for quality production. “I think these techniques
helped me for getting quality product. I’ll continue these activities and will also use upgraded
hatching pan for my broody hen” she again quoted. She is planning to cultivate summer vegetables in
her homestead garden due to water scarcity during this season.

She thanked Farmer Facilitator Mr. Pratul Bikash Chakma and RHDC for implementing FFS activities in her
village and hope this type of farmer frankly project will not only help to get more production from their
farms but also help for earning more income in their area. Now after seeing her success the surrounding
members inspired and doing like her.

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 Pic-01: Ms. Sandhya Rani Chakma working in her Pic-02: Ms. Sandhya Rani Chakma working in her
homestead gardening. French bean field.

2.2 Outcome 2: Hill District Councils (HDC) are managing transferred agricultural services
in line with CHT Peace Accord:

The outcome focuses to enhance the capacities of the HDCs in managing agricultural services
decentralized with the CHT Peace Accord and subsequent legal reforms - 33 functions and powers
are to be transferred to the HDCs as per the Peace Accord, including agricultural services. On
paper, these power and functions have already been transferred from the line ministries/agencies
to the HDCs. However, the HDCs have still not managed to take full ownership of the transferred
functions from these line ministries/agencies. With the capacities of the HDCs enhanced, the
envisaged outcomes will be: improved coordination and management functions, including
regulatory framework of HDCs to manage transferred agricultural services. Therefore the project
aim to establish linkages and organize actions to enhance coordination between HDC, the Upazila
and Union Parishads and target communities concerning development Local Resilience Plans
against climate change.

2.2.1 Output 6: Coordination enhanced and HDC strengthened to manage transferred

agriculture services and monitor Local Resilience Plans

Activity 6.1: Support to strengthen HDC's capacity and enhance coordination to manage
agricultural services

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The project has been screening the coordination gap points between HDCs and transferred line
departments following which a detail action plan will be developed to contribute to this output.

Activity 6.2: Organize District Working Group Meeting:

During the reporting period seven District Working Group (DWG) meetings were organized with
a total of 48 attendants and participants are respective Councilors of Hill District Council, district
level officers from three-line departments (DLS, DAE and DoF), and AFSP District Officer. Apart
from the AFSP III activities, the quarterly DWG coordination meetings covered discussion on
interdepartmental coordination matters. The DWG meeting minutes are referred to respective
Upazilla line department Officers for necessary measures. As outcome of this initiatives, 03-line
departments under a coordination mechanism between Hill District Councils and within line
departments to explore and extend support each other interrelated needs.

Activity 6.3: Conduct Consultative Workshops:

The activities is planned to organize during 2nd quarter of 2019 involving participants from HDCs
and its managed project, GoB line departments and Local Government institutions.

Activity 6.4 Support to Local Resilience Plans Develop under CCRP:

LRP development initiatives have been organizing under CCRP project which will be supported
once LRPs are ready during 2nd quarter of 2019.

3. Visibility & Communication:

Based on the UNDP visibility guidelines, AFSP III developed several types of visibility and
promotional materials were developed and utilized. The major visibility and communication
material were as 270 FFS signboards were installed at community level (one for each FFS),
produced 55 banners for organizing training/workshops, distributed 340 t-shirts, 340 caps, 340
Bags and around 4100 notebooks and 1750 IFM FFS registers with reflection of GoB, DANIDA and
UNDP logos for visibility as well.

4. Project Management and Partnerships:

The Agriculture and Food Security Project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (AFSP III) is managed by
UNDP through the ongoing project of Strengthening Inclusive Development in CHT (SID-CHT)
signed between the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP for the period of February 2017 to
September 2021 where the Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) is an implementing partner and it

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forms part of this agency’s assistance under the Programmatic Framework of the UN for Support
to the CHT 2015-2020. The Programmatic Framework governs the content of the wider support
to CHT structured around three pillars of support: (i) sustainable livelihoods and natural resource
management, (ii) social services, and (iii) governance with this the AFSP III being part of the first
and third areas of assistance. The project will be managed by UNDP as part of the portfolio of
projects delivered through the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) that manages
SID-CHT. The project will benefit from the full capacity of this Facility/UNDP related to CHT and
synergies in implementation achieved through e.g. one Planning, Monitoring, Reporting (PMR)
unit and operations platform supporting implementation of all projects. A National Project
Manager (NPM) is responsible for the implementation of the project. At the Country Office,
implementation and assurance role is overseen by the country office Senior Management Team.
At the field level, the Livelihood and Natural Resource Unit of SID-CHT, comprising of fully or
partially dedicated experienced officials, coordinates and manages all actions funded by Danida.

As it was done for Agriculture and Food Security Project II (AFSP II), UNDP works with Hill District
Councils (HDCs) for implementing Farmer Field Schools (FFS) under the Agriculture and Food
Security Project III (AFSP III) through signing Letter of Agreement (LoA). Accordingly, Letter of
Agreements has been signed with 3 HDCs for the period of February 2018 to 30 June 2021 to
implement the field activities. As per the CHT Peace Accord, the HDCs manage all relevant line
departments e.g. Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Livestock Services
(DLS) and Department of Fisheries (DoF). The Departmental Head of 3 line departments meet
regularly where HDC councilor and AFSP III staffs also participate to discuss on Agricultural
services and necessary decisions are taken to further enhance services for farmers.

A total of 48 staffs (female-09; male: 39) have been recruited who are engaged fully in the
implementation of AFSP III activities under 3 HDCs (Rangamati 18, Bandarban 14 and Khagrachari
16). The key positions being District Officer-AFSP III (3), Senior Master Trainer (3), Master Trainer
(7), Monitoring and Reporting Officer (3), Market Development Officer (3), Finance and Admin
Assistant (3), Upazila FFS Coordinator (26). The District Officers, Senior Master Trainers, Monitoring
and Reporting Officers, Market Development Facilitators are based in district while other staffs
are based in Upazilas.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation:

With utilization of earlier learnings (Phase II), the AFSP III established a systematic monitoring and
evaluation mechanism in all places i.e FFS community, Upazila, District and regional level. In this
reporting period the AFSP III Result Framework (RF) is at the final stage with baseline status and

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target setting till to project period up to June 2021. The AFSP III indicators is placed in the UNDP
M&E Plan with year wise target breakdown. The core staff of FASP III trained up on the Monitoring
and reporting mechanism, data collection tools techniques and the database. A offline data
management system is already place to track the process and progress monitoring data each
month.

At the field level, the staff of the project and implementing partners (HDCs), GoB line department
officials, union and upazila parishad representative undertook monitoring visits and participated
in staff planning and coordination meetings with the stakeholders to identify key successes and
areas for further improvement. This information is collected and analyzed by the AFSP III, before
making clear recommendations for addressing challenges observed in the field.

A detailed breakdown on the different parties involved in monitoring of AFSP III given below:

Community Level: The PDC Executive member those participated in IFM FFS training are involved
as the main vehicle for overseeing and monitoring the FFS activities. They have been monitoring
the ongoing session attendance, FFS session conduction by FFs and finally each FF maintains a
monthly monitoring tool which is checked by the PDC chairperson and submitted to the Upazila
FFS Coordinator.

Union Level: Union Parishad representatives visits the FFS communities and share their feedbacks
and suggestion to FFs and community people. Even, the UP representatives discuss the findings
in their monthly meetings where union parishad representatives and other union level
stakeholders, including PDCs/FFs representatives and women leaders, discuss progress of FFS
activities and seek necessary support from the UPs as appropriate. In this reporting period, a total
of 118 visits made at the field level to provide necessary guidance to the communities for smooth
implementation of AFSP activities.

Upazila Level: AFSP III Upazila-based staff are the lowest tier in monitoring and inputting data in
the project’s database. A simple offline data management system is placed at each upazila. The
Upazila FFS Coordinators have been maintained to track the process and progress mentoring data
each month. Data is verified during field visits to the FFS communities. The monitoring data and
field experiences are shared with relevant stakeholders in the progress sharing meeting at upazila
level. Upazila level other actors, such as regional GoB staff, have periodically visited FFS to
undertake monitoring activities and provide technical support.

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District Level: HDC based project staff and SID-CHT based staff made monitoring visits and
follow-up support to the FFS communities. They also maintained the FFS Progress Monitoring
Database on regular basis. The major findings from field visits, lessons learnt, and achievement
are shared at the HDCs monthly coordination meeting with major decision if any shortfall/or
deviation as per their plan. In this reporting period, a total 1404 visits made to FFS communities
by the AFSP III staffs.

Regional/Central Level: Ongoing monitoring visits are conducted by regional/central based

AFSP III staff, Senior Management with time to time feedbacks to AFSP III core staff. It’s a regular
practices by SID-CHT staff to maintain Back To Office Report (BTOR) immediate after each field
visit. This report has been sharing with senior management of SID-CHT and National Project
Director (NPD) of MoCHTA. Based on the off line data management system, progress reports are
prepared on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly and yearly). Monthly reports reflect activity and
output level indicators, such as the number of beneficiaries trained, number and types of grants
distributed, demonstration plots established and number of GoB visits to the field. Quarterly
reports are prepared based on the immediate results of the activities and are focused on
qualitative information – how farmers are implementing their FFS learning, their feelings,
challenges faced and way forward. Senior management of CHTDF and UNDP also visit project
sites to facilitate the implementation and to provide quality-assurance and oversight to these
activities.

The project has a plan to do Internal Data Quality Assessment (IDQA) both at desk and field level,
and it will be placed in 2019 as the part of project’s systematic monitoring mechanism. Moreover,
to capture the results of AFSP III, the project planned to conduct an internal result study in the
middle of year 2019. This study will support to measure the upper level indicators as per the Result
Framework of AFSP III.

6. Lesson Learned Challenges and Action Taken:

Whilst the project has faced several issues during implementation of the planned activities,
necessary actions have been taken to overcome the challenges. The challenges faced and actions
taken by the project includes the followings:

✓ LoA signing with 3 Hill District Councils took longer time which further resulted delay in
starting staff recruitment, community mobilization activities in the field. On occasions it was
difficult to identify FF within FFS clusters, who met the set criteria. This was particularly the
case regarding female FFs, as there were few educated female candidates who applied for the

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 role, despite project staff physically visiting communities to encourage applications. Re-
advertisement was encouraged in few cases.
✓ Basic language and literacy prevented challenges. This was particularly problematic during ToT
sessions, as while most MTs were conversant to Bangla they were not able to speak or
understand languages of minor ethnic communities i.e. Mro. To overcome this challenge,
where possible participants were able to identify a common language (i.e Marma) that
multiple FFs were able to understand.
✓ Frequent staff turnover during the reporting period, particularly by Master Trainer (MT) has
been challenging to manage. The impacts have been somewhat mitigated by the staff roster
system that was initially established during recruitment. Furthermore, the 9 Upazila FFS
Coordinators have been developed through MT ToT to support Master Trainers during ToT
for FF. Consequently, this challenge is being managed.
✓ Local political unrest in few of the areas like Naniarchar, Baghaichari, Jurachari hampered
regular activities particularly the Upazila stakeholder mobilisation in the field. However, with
support and involvement of local leaders and stakeholders the issue has been solved with little
delay in the area. Political turmoil during the reporting period has being problematic, as it
has created many delays to project roll-out. Unfortunately, the difficulties presented by this
challenge are out of the project’s control.

7. Budget and Expenditure:

Total financial delivery of the AFSP III is USD 1,713,468 up to 31 December 2018.

Budget from Jan- Expenditure Report

Outputs
Dec'2018 (Feb'18-Dec'18)

DKK USD DKK USD

Output 1: Communities/Stakeholders
27,123 192,727 30,689
mobilised to establish IFM-FFS 170,334

Output 2: IFM-FFS Curricular Developed 206,583 32,895 208,527 33,205

Output 3: Knowledge and skills of CHT

stakeholders (Master trainers, FFS
852,448 135,740 923,895 147,117
Trainers/Facilitators on IFM-FFS, GoB
Officers) enhanced

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 Output 4: IFM-FFS implemented through
participatory and ‘learning by doing’ 10,227,591 1,628,597 8,889,859 1,415,583
approach

Output 5: Access to market linkages

388,364 61,841 368,083 58,612
(input-output) promoted and facilitated

Output 6: Coordination enhanced and

HDCs strengthened to manage transferred
158,647 25,262 177,485 28,262
agriculture services and coordinate LRPs
and monitor Local Resilience Plans

Total 12,003,967 1,911,460 10,760,577 1,713,468

Exchange Rate 1 USD = DKK 6.28

8. NEXT PLAN/WAY FORWARD:

2019
Activity/Task
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

1. Output 1: Communities/Stakeholders mobilised to establish

IFM-FFS

1.1 Stakeholder mobilisation meeting on FFS

1.2 Training for PDC (para development committee) executive

committee members from 1203 PDCs/paras on IFM-FFS
implementation process, monitoring and role of PDCs (2 PCE EC
members from each PDC, each batch 30 participants)

1.3 Recruitment of staffs and Selection of Farmer Facilitators

2. Output 2: IFM-FFS Curricular Developed

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 2019
Activity/Task
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

2.1 Develop and regularly update curricula for IFM FFS menu
* *
modules

2.2 IFM-FFS Modules, Registers finalised and printed (including

FFS registers)

3. Output 3: Knowledge and skills of CHT stakeholders (Master

trainers, FFS Trainers / Facilitators on IFM-FFS, GoB Officers)
enhanced

3.1 ToT for Master Trainers on IFM- FFS *

3.2 ToT for FFs on IFM-FFS. * * * *

Promotional materials for Farmer Facilitators (T-shirt, caps, bags) * * * *

3.3 Training for project staffs and GoB line department officials
* *
on AFSP III and FFS implementation (per batch 30 participants)

3.4 Refreshers Training for FFs on IFM-FFS. * *

4. Output 4: IFM-FFS implemented through participatory and

‘learning by doing approach’

4.1 Conduct FFS sessions at community level (FF Remuneration)

* * * *
270 FF 1st round 1 FFS, 2nd round 2 FFS until Dec 2020

4.1 Conduct FFS sessions at community level (FF Remuneration)

131 FF starting from Apr 2019 to cover 1 FFS in 1st cycle, 2 FFS in * * * *
2nd cycle until Jun 2021

4.2 FFS Running cost * *

4.3 Input grant to farmers- post the FFS learning phase * * *

4.3 Contingency reserved for FFS implementation * *

4.4 Organise Farmers Field Days - one event per Union/year for 3
* * *
years

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 2019
Activity/Task
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

4.5 Organize exchange visits on IFM-FFS learning (all relevant

* *
stakeholders)

4.6 Organize exchange visits (outside country)

4.7 Management support to FFS Implementation - operational

cost for HDCs (travel, DSA, office rent, office supplies, fuel and * * * *
maintenance etc.)

4.8 Organize Bi-monthly FF Coordination meeting at Upazilla

* * * *
level

4.9 Organize Monitoring visit by GoB officers (DAE,DLS, DOF)and

other stakeholders, and Support to the technical sessions of the * * * *
FFS (2 sessions in each FFS) by SAAO/VFA/FA.

4.10 Monitoring visits by UnFC, UzAC, DWG etc. * * * *

4.11 Organize FFS Learning Sharing workshop at District and

* *
Regional level

4.12 Organize Monthly AFSP III coordination meeting at HDCs * * * *

4.11 Human Resources - HDC

4.11.1 District Officer - AFSP III (3) * * * *

4.11.2 Senior Master Trainer (3) * * * *

4.11.3 Master Trainers (7) * * * *

4.11.4 Monitoring and Reporting Officer (3) * * * *

4.11.5 Finance and Admin Assistant (3) * * * *

4.11.6 Upazilla FFS Coordinator (26) * * * *

4.11.7 Market Development Facilitator (3) * * * *

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 2019
Activity/Task
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

5. Output 5 Input supply and market linkages promoted and

facilitated

5.1 Support community managed collection Points for improving

* * *
marktet facilities

5.2 Training for Input Suppliers/Input sellers (2 upazila 1 batch, 2

*
days training)

5.3 Training (new batch/refreshers) for community level service

*
providers on agricultural services

5.4 Learning visit to other area of best marketing facilities for

*
farmers

5.5 Facilitate market linkages workshops- Agri-Business Networks

* *
(ABN) actors and Farmers

5.6 Facilitate Quarterly ABN meetings * * * *

6. Output 6 Coordination enhanced and HDCs strengthened to

manage transferred agriculture services

6.1 Support to strengthen HDC's capacity and enhance

*
coordination to manage agricultural services

6.2 District/Regional/National level seminars/workshops * *

7. Communication, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

7.1 Project M&E Activities (designing, data collection, orientation

* *
etc.)

7.2 Planning and review meeting/workshop * * * *

7.3 Study/Assessment/Evaluation *

7.4 Visibility & Communication * * * *

Six Monthly Report * *

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 2019
Activity/Task
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

8. Technical Advisory/Consultancy Services

8.1 Consultancy services (National) * *

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Annex: 1 AFSP III Community Selection Guideline for FFS support:

About 1200 communities will be selected to establish IFM-FFS under AFSP III. All the 26 Upazilas
of 3 hill districts will be covered over the project period.

Note: All targeted communities will be selected at once but FFS will be established gradually in 3
years over the project period.

A. Steps to be followed in selecting communities generally:

Step-I

At this step, the respective District Team will prepare a Union wise list of communities. District
Team comprise of district level HDC based AFSP staff and staff of SID-CHT Project working in
respective district. Using the updated M&E database, they will put remarks against applicable
community, whether it supported by establishment of FFS earlier or geographical location of
community in Reserve Forest areas, are also important to cope with strategic plan of the project.
For example, if a community supported through establishment of FFS in 2009 then in remark
column it would be noted as “FFS in 2009”. On the other hand, if the community is located within
Reserve Forest areas, it would be noted as “Reserve Forest Community”, even both information
may fit to single community at applicable situation. Once this listing is over then District Team will
move to next step for selection of communities.

Step II

This step reveals as ground work to finalize the Upazilla and Union wise distribution of
communities for FFS support through Agriculture and Food Security Project, Phase III. A total 1200
communities (Bandarban-350, Khagrachari-400 and Rangamati-450) finally will be selected for
FFS support through AFSP III. In compliance with district target it assumed that around 36
communities will be selected from each Upazilla. However, the Upazilla-wise targets for selection
of communities may vary on practical considerations. In this situation, total number of
communities and/or unions exist within Upazilla might set on scale for selecting Upazilla level
targets for FFS support. Before moving to Upazilla level meeting, exception and adjustment of
plan will be shared with Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management Unit, SID-CHT Project. In
line with the strategic plan, at least 48 communities (Bandarban-15, Khagrachari-15 and
Rangamati-18) would be selected which are adjacent to Village Common Forests (VCF).

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Step-III

A community selection meeting will be organised at Upazilla to select communities for FFS
support through Agriculture and Food Security Project, Phase III. The following participants to
attend the meeting:

• Chairman and Vice Chairman of respective Upazilla Parishad

• GoB Officers of three Line Departments-DAE, DLS, DoF
• All UP Chairman
• Representatives from HDC – 1
• Representative from SID-CHT Project-1
• Female UP Ward Member (Union Development Coordination Committee Member) – 1 from
each Union

The representative from SID-CHT Project/HDC will share the above list (mentioned in step-II) to
participants at the beginning of the meeting.

III (a) Union wise allocation

In the meeting, participants will decide Union wise allocation (Number of communities) for FFS
implementation based on total allocation for the Upazila. While Union wise allocation, participants
may consider certain criteria e.g. total population of the Union, dependence on agriculture by the
communities, food security, access to agriculture services etc.

III (b) Community selection

Communities will be selected from PDC and non PDC communities. Following the Union wise
allocation, meeting participants will select communities for FFS establishment using the below
criteria:

Criteria 1: All ethnicities living in the Upazila/Union to be covered;

Criteria 2: Farming communities (where most of the HHs’ occupation is agriculture)

Criteria 3: Prevailing the agricultural vulnerabilities within community such as affected by

flash floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, rat floods, disease outbreaks etc.

Criteria 4: A community yet not supported through establishment of FFS earlier will get
priority.

Criteria 5: Communities with more household deserve priority

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Criteria 6: Relative presence of development/safety net programs (Priority will be given to the

communities which are un-served; i.e. are not part of any IGA/regular safety net
programs by the GoB/NGOs. In cases of mixed communities i.e. where some of the
members are served, priority will be given where majority community members are
unserved)

Criteria 7: Priority to the most disadvantaged and marginalized communities in remote areas

Criteria 8: Food insecurity (priority to the areas where no food security coverage is available)

Criteria 9: Location (remote but relatively accessible areas will get preference)

Criteria 10: Presence of women-headed households

Every Farmer Facilitator will be implementing 02-03 FFS over the project phase; reference- FFS
implementation plan. Selection should comply the grouping of communities in Cluster of FFS
which will be taken care by Farmer Facilitators. A meeting minutes enclose with list of
communities including grouping into FFS cluster will be prepared for sharing.

Note The project will explore the possibility the 2nd option as practical situation (e.g. availability of
time for implementation or overrule the process by meeting participants)

Step IV

The meeting minutes with the finally selected list of communities alongside grouping into FFS
Cluster will be submitted to HDC with copy to respective Union Parishads, SID-CHT Project and
other relevant parties.

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Annex:2 GUIDELINE FOR SELECTION OF FARMER FACILITATORS (FF)

The role of Farmer Facilitators (FF) in FFS learning is very much crucial to maintain quality in the
FFS. During implementation of the AFSP I the project experienced some good lessons, for
instance- the project learned that involvement of PDC in the primary selection of Facilitator is very
important which ensured quality selection of facilitator and better acceptance by the farmers. In
order to ensure selection of quality FFs the AFSP III will involve the following steps and criteria
with little change from the AFSP I and AFSP II:

Required qualifications and experiences for the FFs:

Active (real) farmer with minimum 5 years of agriculture/farming activities as main livelihood
occupation. The UP Chairman/UP Ward Member/Karbari/Headman will provide a certificate
that whether the applicant is a real farmer.

Age limit will be 25-50 years. No students or fresh graduates (just completed study) will be eligible;

Minimum education – Class-V. For experienced and energetic farmers education qualification is
flexible if s/he understands Bangla well as Bangla will be the language for training;

Permanent resident of the selected community or the selected cluster of communities;

Having good organizing skills and willing to learn;

Well acceptance by the community;

Cultural sensitivity;

Excellent communication skills in local language(s) and understands Bangla;

Committed to demonstrate FFS learning and sharing with other farmers

Interested to work under PDC supervision and maintain communication with local service
providers;

Good FFS member, fulfilling above criteria will get preference during selection

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Step 1: Identification of FFS cluster

All the communities for FFS support will be selected at a time. Possible cluster of FFS communities
(2-3 communities) in the Union will be identified following the below criteria:

Comparatively easy access/communication among the cluster communities and geographically

located in a cluster.

The local level stakeholders will be closely involved in identifying the FFS Cluster.

Step 2: Recruitment notice:

Following HDC’s recruitment guideline the recruitment notice (information) to be reached out to
all cluster communities where FFS will be established or supported. In this regard, the notice can
be shared with Union Parishad, local NGOs, Upazila Offices, Headman/Karbari offices and other
public places like markets, schools etc. Upazila/Union based HDC staffs will ensure wider
circulation including clarification of requirements to selected communities.

Step 3: Primary Selection of FF by PDC/Community

Following the above mentioned criteria, the PDC or community, through a general meeting, will
nominate maximum 2 farmers (one male and one female) to apply for the FF position.

After community nomination – the selected Farmers will apply to HDC for FF position following
recruitment notice guideline.

If there don’t exist a community, project staff will explore opportunities to follow the same
involving respective Karbari to recommend candidates with consensus of community in a meeting.

Note. The PDCs and Communities should be clearly informed that nomination by the
PDC/community does not necessarily mean that the person they have nominated, will be finally
selected for FF. The person has to qualify in the test.

Step 4: Oral Test of candidates / Farmers

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Following HDC’s recruitment guidelines, procedures and previous experiences HDC may form an
oral interview panel with the representatives of different institutions or departments to take oral
test preferably in Upazila (according to previous experience). Under the leadership of HDC’s
representative, the members of the oral interview panel may be from Upazila Parishad, agriculture
line department, representative from Union Parishad, traditional leaders (Headman / Karbari) and
the representative from SID-CHT Project. The oral interview panel will recommend to HDC for
final selection. It should be noted that the recommendation of Danida Appraisal Team needs to
be followed during the interview and selection.

The oral interview panel will recommend 2 candidates for one “FFS Cluster of PDCs/communities”.
If the first candidate fails in the training, the second candidate will be selected to join next training.
If the second candidate also fails in the training, HDC will inform the respective
communities/Union Parishad and will recruit newly.

Step 5: Primary Selection by HDC

Following the recommendation of oral interview panel, the HDC will make decision for primary
selection. The primary selected Farmers will be called to join the first round training on IFM-FFS
to be organized by HDC and SID-CHT Project.

Step 6: Final selection and appointment by HDC

Following successful completion of the first round IFM-FFS training, the successful training
participants – who will pass in the training exam, will be recruited by HDC as Farmer Facilitator
(FF).

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