CIRDAP in collaboration with The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) organized an international exposure visit on rural development and Microfinance in Bangladesh on 23-27 September 2018. The exposure visit was organized for capacity building of the faculties of NIRDPR, which is the CIRDAP Link Institution in India mandated to work for capacity development of rural development functionaries, elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), bankers, NGOs and other stakeholders of rural development through inter-related activities of training, research and consultancy.

The programme was attended by senior and mid-level officials of NIRDPR and State-State Institute of Rural Development (SIRDs). Social Development, Micro Finance and Rural Development has been chosen as focus of the exposure visit since success of microfinance and rural development in Bangladesh has generated immense interest in the world.

The key objectives of the exposure visit were:

  • To promote exchange of knowledge and expertise on social development, Microfinance and the banking systems for the poor in Bangladesh
  • To promote exchange of expertise on rural development action research projects in Bangladesh
  • To promote collaboration among rural development functionaries in Bangladesh and India

DG CIRDAP welcomed the delegation of NIRDPR and SIRDs through a special dinner on 22nd September,2018. On the 1st day of exposure visit, they team visited BRAC focusing on social development programme namely targeting the ultra poor (TUP) and Skill Development Programme (SDP). On the 2nd day, they visited Grameen Bank focusing their activities of Bank of the Poor and followed by this, they attended a meeting with Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Executive Director, Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM) on the 3rd day of exposure regarding microfinance activities in Bangladesh.

As a part of this exposure visit programme a field visit was arranged in RDA, Bogura one of the finest academy in Bangladesh for action research programme on rural development. The visit to RDA rural development action research project started from 25th September followed by other activities including idea exchange session with RDA Faculty members.

During the two days’ visit in RDA the team exposed with the following projects:

  1. Indigenous Chicken Rearing Model at Ranabirbala;
  2. Water Saving Project (WSP) at Juanpur;
  3. Rural Housing Model at Jamalpur;
  4. Community Biogas Model at Bamunia;
  5. Maria Seed Technology Model at Maria; and
  6. Integrated Water Management (IWM) Model at Bograpara.

Besides, the team also visit country’s one of the largest Non-Governmental Organization viz. Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) and some of RDA Centers namely-

  1. Chars Development Research Center (CDRC);
  2. Cattle Research and Development Center (CRDC); and
  3. Community Development Center (CDC).

After completion of RDA Project Exposure, a wrap up was held in presence of DG-RDA and CIRDAP Officials. During that session the team express their views, thoughts, suggestions and recommendations regarding the projects and programmes.

It is expected that the renewed commitment for collaborations among rural development functionaries in Bangladesh and India through this programme will strengthen the rural development initiatives in the region.