This document summarizes experiences with establishing Rural Communication Services (RCS) for agricultural development in Bangladesh. It describes improved capacities for communication strategies around food security and climate change adaptation. Initial RCS were established using communication materials and strengthened linkages among agricultural institutions. Recommendations include continuing to use communication to integrate RCS as the national strategy and build capacity to strengthen institutions and network members through an RCS web platform.

1. Institutional ComDev Efforts: The
case of RCs for Agricultural
Development in Bangladesh
UP Los Baños
Philippines

2. EXPERIENCE

3. EVIDENCE
• Improved institutional and local capacities in the design and
implementation of communication strategies and plans on
food security and climate change adaptation (e..g, strategic
communication plan on management of saline-tolerant rice variety)
• Initial establishment of RCS based on the use of CRR and
complementary communication materials
• Strengthened linkages among agricultural extension, research
institutions, information services, NGOs, and farmers
• Recommendations for upscaling and sustainability of RCS
services and activities

4. CONSTRAINTS & NEEDS
Constraints
• Abstractness of RCS at start of project
• Institutional culture (deputization of MoA staff)
• Political nature of institutions (fast turn-over of leadership)
Needs
• Continued use of communication as a means to initiate policy of making RCS
as the national communication strategy for agricultural development and to
integrate RCS as organic part of the MoA
• Continued capacity building and mentoring on ComDev and RCS for
strengthened institutional capacity and trained manpower
• Revival of RCS web platform to network RCS institutional members, to share
knowledge, and to exchange information to concretize RCS operations
• Emphasis on pooling strategy or resource sharing through RCS