Project Description – Fact-Finding Survey on Agricultural Finance and Agricultural Technical Assistance in Bangladesh (Two Phases)

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bangladesh Office, engaged Young Consultants (YC) to conduct a comprehensive fact-finding survey on agricultural finance and agricultural technical assistance in Bangladesh. The assignment aimed to identify agricultural subsectors and geographical regions with the greatest demand for assistance, assess the financial and technical needs of small and marginal farmers and small-scale agribusiness enterprises, and examine existing agricultural finance and training programmes. The study also sought to identify lessons and good practices in linking financial services with agricultural training to improve access to finance and strengthen agricultural and agribusiness development.

The assignment began with the mobilisation of the study team and a kick-off meeting with JICA officials, followed by the preparation and submission of an inception report for JICA’s review and approval. YC conducted an extensive desk review of relevant agribusiness strategy papers, previous studies, sector reports, and other relevant documents. The review examined the overall agricultural sector, the agribusiness development landscape, existing agricultural finance assistance programmes, and the characteristics of different agricultural subsectors and regions. Based on this analysis, the study identified geographical areas with high demand for agricultural finance and assessed the factors influencing agricultural development and the need for technical assistance.

A major component of the assignment involved extensive stakeholder consultations and primary data collection. YC conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) with relevant government ministries, departments, institutions, projects, researchers, scientists, academics, training institutions, private-sector organisations, banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), NGOs, donors, development partners, and international organisations. These consultations helped establish an understanding of existing agricultural finance mechanisms, technical assistance initiatives, training opportunities, institutional arrangements, and the challenges faced by farmers and agribusiness enterprises in accessing support.

To assess needs at the household and enterprise levels, YC conducted 1,200 household surveys and 50 agribusiness enterprise surveys involving small and marginal farmers and small-scale agribusiness enterprises. The surveys supported the identification of priority agricultural subsectors and geographical areas requiring financial and technical assistance. The team also identified and assessed potential project sites and examined opportunities to strengthen agricultural finance and technical assistance in areas with significant development needs.

The study further investigated the relationship between agricultural training and access to finance through focus group discussions (FGDs), stakeholder interviews, and field visits. YC visited and consulted stakeholders associated with JICA-referred projects, including the Northwest Crop Diversification Project and the Second Crop Diversification Program, both associated with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as the Borga Chasi Unnayan Project. These activities helped gather information on existing approaches to agricultural development and generate lessons regarding the potential benefits of integrating financial services with training and technical support.

Another important component involved preparing case studies of previously implemented agricultural finance and training initiatives to examine their implementation experiences and impacts, particularly in relation to access to finance. YC processed and analysed the collected quantitative and qualitative data, synthesised findings from the desk review and fieldwork, and prepared interim progress reports documenting the outcomes of the respective study phases.

The assignment concluded with the preparation and submission of a draft report and the organisation of a stakeholder workshop to disseminate the findings and obtain feedback. YC incorporated stakeholder comments and observations into the final report, consolidating the analysis of agricultural finance needs, priority subsectors and regions, existing training and assistance programmes, potential project sites, and lessons from linking finance with agricultural training. The study provided JICA with an evidence base for identifying potential areas of intervention and informing future agricultural finance and technical assistance initiatives in Bangladesh.

Key Assignment Details
Client: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bangladesh Office
Contact Person: Mr. Kentaro Nishiyama, JICA Bangladesh Office
Country and Location: Bangladesh; Dhaka and other divisions
Assignment Value: Approximately US$68,200
Assignment Duration: 7 months, as stated in the assignment information
Start Date: July 2013
Completion Date: September 2013
Total Staff Input: 16 staff-months
Professional Staff-Months: 16
Associated Consultants: Not applicable
Senior Professional Staff and Roles:

M. Zakir Hossain – Team Leader
Dr. Hassanullah – Adviser
Dr. Abdul Kuddu – Agriculture Specialist
Dr. Provash Chandra Roy – Agriculture Specialist
Md. Sahab Uddin – Agriculture Specialist
Mr. Alim Haider – Financial Analyst
Mr. Guljar Hossain – Coordinator
S. M. Firoz Hasan – Coordinator
Md. Mosiur Rahman – Field Survey Manager