CSI4CZ-II Socio-Economic Team Meeting in Kolkata

The ACIAR Cropping system intensification in the salt-affected coastal zones of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India project is one of Rupantar's sister projects in Bangladesh. Prof. Dr. Hasneen Jahan from Bangladesh Agricultural University joined the CSI4CZ-II Socio-Economic Team (SET) meeting at Kolkata during 24-25 February, 2023. The workshop was lead by Marta Monjardino from the CSIRO and the socio-economic team of the project. The socio-economic team of the project comprises faculties from the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute of West Bengal and researchers from BARI, BRRI and Shushilan on Bangladesh side. Project leader Dr. Mohammed Mainuddin was also present during the workshop.

The CSI4CZ-II project aims to sustainably increase cropping intensity and productivity in the coastal zones of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The workshop provided a hands on training on ‘Value-Ag framework and improvement’ and ‘Smallholder ADOPT demonstration’. The workshop also focused on the collaboration between Rupantar and CSI4CZ-II project. Prof. Hasneen presented an overview of the Rupantar project and also demonstrated the Scaling Assessment Decision (ScAD) tool which can be tested in other ACIAR projects including the CSI4CZ-II project.

There was fruitful discussion about the collaboration between two projects. The CSI4CZ project members showed interest to adopt the learning of sustainable livelihood diversification into their project. The gender aspect of the Rupantar project also got attention of the participants. The CSI4CZ-II project members showed interest to do some collaborative research together and exchange their research activities on a regular basis. Overall, there was a significant interaction between these two projects to work together in coming days and benefit each other by cross-learning.

For more information, please contact Professor Hasneen Jahan (hasneen.jahan@bau.edu.bd).