Danida is planning an independent evaluation of the agricultural growth and employment programme (AGEP) in Bangladesh.

The main objectives of the evaluation are:

— to document the achievements of the AGEP since 2013,

— to analyse the outcomes and impact of the IFMC and AFSP (components of the AGEP) in terms of results, based on the original theories of change, logical frameworks and results frameworks and with a particular emphasis on the adoption of the farming techniques and practices as well as marketing knowledge promoted through the components,

— on the basis of the lessons learned through the AGEP, to prepare recommendations for the future as inputs for the design of a new country programme for Danida in Bangladesh (from 2021-26).

It is intended to start the evaluation in December 2018 and the final evaluation report will be submitted by June 2019.

Danida is planning an independent evaluation of the agricultural growth and employment programme (AGEP) in Bangladesh.

The AGEP has been funded by Danida for 5 years from 2013 with 3 components:

— an integrated farm management component (IFMC with DAE),

— an agricultural and food security project (AFSP, with UNDP in the Chittagong Hill Tracts),

— an agri-business development component (Katalyst, co-funded with DfID and the Swiss Development Agency) (will not included in the evaluation).

According to the 2013 programme description the overall (development) objective of the AGEP was defined as contributing “to an increased pro-poor and inclusive growth and sustainable employment creation.” Although the programme was not intended to directly generate employment, it was anticipated that job opportunities would emerge from interventions that increased the value of farm produce. As such, the programme is consistent with the aim of the 6th Five Year Plan, to reduce poverty in Bangladesh.

Support through Danish development assistance (Danida) has played a role in the transformation of the agricultural sector in Bangladesh.

There is a very long history of assistance in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors in Bangladesh, dating back to the 1970s. In the 1990s, Danida supported efforts to improve soil fertility through balanced use of fertilizers and to deal with crop losses through the introduction of integrated pest management (IPM) in farming systems. Following innovations in terms of agricultural research and extension that were initially encouraged by the FAO, and then in the design of agricultural sector support from the 1990s, it was decided that the so-called “farmer field school” (FFS) approach would constitute an important foundation in the sector programmes funded by Danida.

In 2011, the farmer field school approach in Bangladesh was evaluated by Danida. Studies of FFS in different regions of the country were undertaken, as introduced through the Department of agricultural extension (DAE) as well as through the regional livestock and fisheries services. The evaluation team found that over 500 000 rural households had benefitted from knowledge and techniques acquired through participation in these farmer field schools. Furthermore, it was found that there had been a significant impact on household nutrition and food security, notably among the poorest. The 2011 evaluation confirmed the value of the FFS approach in supporting the transformation of the rural economy for the benefit of poor, marginal and small farmers as well as women. Thus, in designing the agricultural growth and employment programme (AGEP) it was decided to continue to provide extension services through the FFS approach. But it was also recognized that improved production techniques were not the end of the story and that supporting poor, marginal and small farmers also entailed focusing on the value chains between producers and consumers, i.e. on market linkages.

Following the launch of a Bangladesh Country Programme in 2016, Danish development assistance has been re-structured for a 5 year period. Consequently, arrangements have been made to launch the second phase of the IFMC for a 3 year period (2019-21) and similarly an additional grant will be provided to the UNDP for further farmer field schools in the CHT over the same period (AFSP II). These are 2 of the “development engagements” in the country programme.