Quarterly Progress Report: Agro-Inputs Project in Bangladesh, Year 3, Quarter 1

The project aims to improve the supply of quality agricultural inputs through input retailers, with a focus on creating a sustainable Agro Input Retailers Network (AIRN). The project's objective is to build the capacity of 3,000 registered retailers in 20 Feed-the-Future (FTF) districts to supply quality agricultural inputs to over one million farmers. The project's four interventions are designed to work in concert and holistically with the creation of AIRN. Intervention 1 focuses on establishing an Agro-Input Retailers Network, which involves building the capacity of 3,000 registered retailers in 20 FTF districts. Intervention 2 involves developing Market Information Systems, which includes the creation of an Ag-Inputs Monthly Price Outlook Bulletin (MPOB) primarily for seeds, fertilizers, and plant protection products. Intervention 3 aims to improve quality control standards and regulatory constraints by working with industry associations and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to improve industry standards for major crops. Intervention 4 focuses on strengthening local organizations through capacity building, following an organizational capacity assessment (OCA). During the first quarter of Year 3 (October 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014), AIRN's membership advanced strongly through drives in 24 new upazillas, with 1503 members joining from 59 upazillas within 16 districts. Of these, 650 AIRN members have earned accredited status, while the remaining will be awarded accredited status after completing the required basic trainings. A total of 1,705 retailers have received basic trainings, with 1,055 trained retailers awaiting accreditation. The project also made progress in other areas, including the development of a draft AIRN business plan, the selection process of members of the temporary Advisory Board, and the GoB registration of AIRN. A confidential report on the results of Lal Teer Seed Company's internal quality control assessment was drafted during this reporting period, with encouraging initial outcomes. Additionally, partner NGOs received 21 full application forms for matching grants to create female-owned and operated agro-inputs retailerships, with 16 applications approved out of 17 submitted. The project also conducted a master trainer training (TOT) for 6 ACI staffers with good aptitude, and completed and submitted its deliverables for the Directory of Companies and Wholesalers, including a "master list" of fixed GoB-registered agro-input retailers in the FTF zone, and the Directory itself. The latter was copy edited during this quarter for printing and dissemination in Year 3, Quarter 2.