Table 1 Capacity assessment for BCAs—regional research stations
Regional research centres | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bogura | Jashore | Rangpur | Jamalpur | Rajshahi | |
Farmer practicies and knowledge | |||||
# of maize growing farm households in region | 250 | 140 | 120 | 5000 | 40 |
Current level of farmer knowledge on BCAs | Poor | Very Poor | Poor | Medium | NA |
Farmers acceptability of BCAs | Acceptable | Not acceptable | Acceptable | Only acceptable if low cost | Acceptable |
Existence of FPOs to take up production of BCAs as income source | Available | Available | Available | Possible with technical support | Not available |
Staffing & resources | |||||
Total # of scientists working in division | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
# of staff with formal training on BCAs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Current infrastructure | Lab building—2,500 sq ft and mass rearing chamber | Lab building—3,000 sq ft | Lab building -2000 sq ft and Mass rearing chamber | Lab building is to be set up | NA |
Type of linkages with extension staff | • Trainings and field days • Demonstrations on farmer fields and mass gathering of farmers • Personal contacts between extension staff and research scientists • Contact via district and local level department of agricultural extension office | ||||
Mechanisms to provide training to farmers/ self-help groups/ farmer association in regional stations | • Classroom training combined with demonstrations on fields • Classroom training with laboratory bioassay and field demonstrations • Group wise training schedule • Individuals and farmer association representatives to attend trainings | ||||
Kind of support needed to maintain host culture & provide nucleus culture of BCAs on consistent basis | • Training and capacity building for staff • Infrastructure development support (i.e. to establish laboratory facilities) • Funding for consumables • Financial and technical support in all areas of BCAs production and management | ||||