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This study examines how farmers from the Common Interest Group (CIG) have changed their capacity levels due to participating in Bangladesh's National Agricultural Technology Program (NATP). A mixed-method design was used to collect data from 120 rice and vegetable farmers. Results show that most respondents (above 75 per cent) agree that NATP initiatives, particularly group-based extension services, developed their capacity in different cultivation techniques, resource utilisation, farm inputs, communication behaviour, market access, and involvement in farmer organisations (FOs)/community-based organisations (CBOs). This study concludes that the concept of CIGs should be incorporated into the existing extension system following the termination of donor support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Participatory forest management initiatives in Madhupur Sal Forest in Bangladesh are characterized by the coexistence of diverse types of advisory service providers. Despite a decade of implementation of forest management initiatives, an assessment of the service delivery from a pluralistic advisory service framework is not evident. Drawing on the framework of pluralistic advisory service this study aimed to assess the role and performance of different advisory service providers that contribute to the management of forest resources. Methodology: We employed a stakeholder analysis to identify different advisory service providers, along with their power relations with forest dwellers. Data were collected using a participatory workshop and nine interviews. Findings and practical implications: The study found that most of the advisory service providers did not ensure the quality of the services, and did not orient their services towards the needs and demands of the forest dwellers. The advisory service providers continued to work with a coordination gap among themselves and the forest dwellers, which ultimately hindered their collective efforts to mobilize resources and build the strong relational condition necessary for the proper management of forest resources. Theoretical implications: This study applied a 'best fit' framework to the micro-level case of a forest advisory service, which helped to explore the dynamics of an advisory system linked to forest management initiatives. Originality: This is the first attempt to assess a pluralistic advisory system for forest management in Bangladesh.

This study analyzed the determinants of the job performance of field advisors who were working in a remote forest area. A stakeholder analysis was conducted to identify advisory organizations working in the Madhupur Sal forest, Tangail, Bangladesh. Data from 87 field advisors were collected in face-to-face interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting the performance of the field advisors. Various factors were identified at the organizational and the individual levels. Important organizational-level variables were coordinated with other organizations, existence of economic incentives for fieldwork, presence of a monitoring and evaluation system, total number of staff, staff training, presence of a system of rewards and punishments, existence of travel allowance, and access to computer and internet facilities. Variables at the individual level included the interaction with forest researchers and the use of a group approach for information sharing as significant determinants of satisfactory performance of field advisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored whether and how the duty-bearer applied a rights-based approach (RBA) in the context of long-running disputes in Madhupur Sal Forest, Bangladesh to transform conflicts into solutions for collective management of forest resources. Using a case study design, we applied a timeline method and semi-structured in-depth interviews to collect data. The grounded theory approach was used to reconstruct the experiences of tribal forest dwellers, and identify the common themes of RBA. The study revealed that neglecting the rights of the forest dwellers led to ineffective policies and programs and, subsequently, to long-running conflicts. In order to sustain collaboration, it is necessary to integrate rights-based discussions with desired recognition, promises, instruction, and welfare provision, considering freedom, security, need for information, and delegating responsibilities. The study provides insights into how forest duty-bearers should consider the broader perspective of RBA in order to sustain their initiatives and achieve the conservation goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory forest management is credited for supporting social learning processes and fostering capacity of forest users for collaboration and collective actions. Despite more than a decade of practice, the empirical evidence substantiating the contribution of participatory management for the capacity development of forest users is scarce. This study assesses a participatory forest management program in Madhupur Sal forest, Bangladesh, by comparing the capacity of de-facto groups of participants and nonparticipants and identifies factors that influence the capacity development. Data were collected using a mixed method approach which combines both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Results indicate that participants differed from nonparticipants significantly in terms of various capacity dimensions related to collective actions. Extension services, credit support, trust within society, information and communication influence the level of capacities in tribal population to adapt and respond to changes. The initiatives to manage natural resources are likely to be more successful if the forest management program initiators consider several factors that influence the capacity development of resource users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]