• About
  • Our Work
  • Join
  • Partner
  • Media
EMAIL SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

Sign-up for monthly updates on Winrock's work around the world.

Volunteer Blog

VOLUNTEER BLOG

“Even Amongst Cultural Differences, Farmers All Over the World Are Very Similar…”

Improving Conception Rates in Bovine Artificial Insemination in Bangladesh

Posted on February 28, 2017 by F2F Volunteer, Dr. Melissa Mason

Dr. Mason observing collected bovine semen in the laboratory at the EJAB Alliance Limited Bull Station.

During my normal appointment in the United States I help teach and promote bovine artificial insemination to help small farmers increase the genetic potential of their herd. After doing this for several years, I thought it was time to broaden my awareness of artificial insemination in other parts of the world and travel to countries that I could help develop or improve artificial insemination programs. I am returning from my 1st Winrock International/USAID Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) assignment in the northwest region of Bangladesh in Thakuragon.

A Sahiwal bull introducing himself at EJAB Alliance Limited Bull Station

During my time in Thakuragaon I visited the EJAB Alliance Limited bull station where they collected semen to sell for artificial insemination as well as train artificial insemination workers. My assignment was to make recommendations on the bull station facility and semen handling as well as provide re-training for the artificial workers over a two week period. As soon as arriving at the bull station I felt immediately in my element and the professional staff was very accommodating and friendly. I conducted a three day professional training workshop that was centered on the facility and lab recommendations for the bull station as well as discussing future research opportunities with professors from the nearby Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University regarding embryo transfer. During my day off I was invited to speak at the University regarding current research techniques and possibilities in embryo transfer research in front of professional staff and students. I then conducted 2 two day artificial insemination worker trainings. Over the two separate workshops there were approximately 60 attendees. We spent time in the workshop concentrating on the artificial insemination technique and semen handling as these two areas had been identified as possible reasons for lower conception rates amongst the artificial insemination workers. However, a variety of topics were also covered, including infertility issues and reproductive diseases that seem to hold a large interest in the current workers.

Dr. Mason presenting on the technique of artificial insemination and semen handling during one of the two day trainings for local artificial insemination workers.

Even though a language barrier existed and it was difficult to communicate one on one with artificial insemination workers, I had tremendous help with interpreting from our assigned Winrock technical officer as well as the professional staff that were working at the bull station. The hospitality of EJAB Alliance Limited staff at the guesthouse where I stayed was amazing and went above and beyond getting all of the necessities for a two week stay. The professional staff at the bull station and I became quick friends and when the assignment was completed, it was sad to leave the new friends that were made. Even amongst cultural differences, farmers all over the world are very similar in that they are very hard working people who are proud of what they have been able to accomplish with their time and dedication. The experience of working in agriculture for the first time overseas for me was amazing and I am planning on returning for a second assignment in the near future.

 

Posted in Asia, Bangladesh | Tagged Bangladesh, capacity building, Farmer-to-Farmer, knowledge transfer

Rich Illustrations and Examples for Micro-gardening

Posted on February 24, 2017 by F2F volunteer, Bernard Randrianarisoa

“My assignment in Senegal with Winrock International on micro-garden was such wonderful experience. It enriched my knowledge of human development and of the integrity of cultural diversity as fundamental keys to ensure sustainable development and social cohabitation.

My mission could not have been completed without the humble professional support from both the Djilor Professional Training Center and Winrock Senegal. They made my journey in Senegal successful. From the beginning, a specialist from Winrock Senegal gave me a splendid tour of Dakar city and the ongoing micro-gardening projects. One of the micro-gardening projects was managed by the city hospital and the other by a women’s group. The tour enlightened me about the potential that micro-garden projects can contribute to poverty alleviation in an urban area. Our introductory session with the Djilor Professional Center was a great opportunity to observe how a local institution was committed to pivot local rural development through varieties of training programs.

The board members of the Djilor Professional Training Center guided us to meet with four Women’s Vegetables Farmer Groups and to assess their agricultural practice in the field. All of the four Women’s groups have been functional for 20 or 30 years. Thus, it was very important for me to learn their experiences, success, challenges, adaptations, and motivations keeping them running for that long period of time. What are their goals and objectives? How have they tackled problems together? This visit helped me to adjust the training themes to adapt to the field contexts. I am so thankful of their sincerity to share with us their capital knowledge on gardening and vegetable farming. The field visit was successfully completed with the diligent supports from the Director of the Djilor Professional Training Center, the two Assistants from Winrock Senegal who professionally translated every discussion with local people.


I trained approximately 19 people. The trainees included all of the Instructors and Professionals of the Djilor Professional Training Center, two Peace Corps Volunteers, and two representatives of the Women’s Vegetable Farmer Groups of the commune of Djilor. They were very enthusiastic to attend the training and greatly participated in every discussion and activities. The two women from the Women’s Vegetable Farmer Group proudly shared their field experiences, which provided rich illustrations and examples for micro-gardening practice.”

Posted in AET, Africa, Senegal, Volunteer Feedback | Tagged AET, capacity building, F2F, Farmer-to-Farmer, knowledge transfer, senegal

The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Myanmar Farmers

Posted on February 16, 2017 by F2F volunteer, Richard Edwards

I had met the country director of Winrock’s office in Myanmar, Dr. Ai Thanda Kyaw, about two years ago while on an assignment in Nepal. While in Nepal for a regional meeting, she expressed a desire to visit the birth place of Buddha. The site was near the town, where my wife, Mary, and I were on an assignment, and we were asked if we wanted to go with her to the site. Naturally we said yes. During our time together we discussed possibilities for one of us coming to Myanmar on a Farmer-to-Farmer assignment. About two years later, I finally made it.

Upon arrival to Yangon, I was struck by the cleanliness of the airport and how quickly one moves through the customs and immigration process which is a sharp contrast to many other developing countries that I’ve traveled to.

The assignment was to teach basic record keeping and financial management techniques to “farmers” in two regions of the country, Mandalay and Yangon. I put the quote marks around farmers as few participants are what we in the USA would call traditional “row crop” farmers. Attendees were citrus growers, mushroom growers, mango producers and processors, and vegetable producers.

In the capital city, I was expecting the urban and rural environment to be similar to what I’ve seen in other urban environments in the developing world, but I was entirely wrong. Both Yangon and Mandalay are busy metropolitan areas with multiple construction sites and heavy traffic.

The farms I visited were often down miles of bad roads, but they were well kept and from the production side, well managed.

After overnighting in Yangon, Dr. Thet Khaing (TK), Technical Officer with Winrock’s Myanmar office, and I, flew to the assignment site in Mandalay.

One of the most interesting items I had was a frozen slice of mango served on a Popsicle stick. One of the participants invited us to her farm after one of the training sessions, and besides growing mangos, she had a small processing plant where she peels, removes the seed, slices them in half, inserts the stick, and then flash-freezes the mango. They are then exported to Korea. They are delicious.

I was given several business cards, and the names listed became a point of discussion with TK. It seems the people of Myanmar have no last names (or surname in the USA). People have between two and four names, but one cannot discern who their parents are or any other family member from those names. We jokingly wondered what they would write down as the surname on any form needed to enter another country.

I want to go back to the assignment, and reflect on the entrepreneurial spirit exhibited by the people who came to the training. All seemed to be quite successful in their businesses even though only one of those attending said they kept any kind of records. It is a cash society with interest rates hovering around 20% if you can find a lending source.

I was blessed to receive several samples of products that were being produced by the members of the groups. They ranged from sweets to fancy flip flops. The sweets were consumed prior to leaving and the flip flops, upon arrival in the USA, were taken over by Mary as they were too small for me. Upon completion of the training I made the participants raise their right hands and affirm that they would start keeping good records. I guess the monitoring and evaluation phase of the assignment, which will be conducted in six to twelve months, will see if they have begun to do so.

The country director indicated there might be an opportunity for both Mary and I to return to the country, and we would welcome the opportunity.

Posted in Asia, Myanmar | Tagged capacity building, Farmer-to-Farmer, knowledge transfer, Myanmar

In Memory of a Beloved Volunteer

Posted on February 9, 2017

Winrock volunteer Robert (Bob) Albrecht passed away unexpectedly in January. He was an inspiration and will be truly missed.

Bob began his volunteer service with Winrock International in August 2001 with an assignment in Nigeria focused on fisheries design and management. After that first trip, he spent two months working with host, Ife Central Fish Farmers, introducing them to new fish farming techniques. He was accompanied on this assignment and many others by his wife, Mary.

Over the 16 years following that first assignment, Bob and Mary traveled the world to help many host organizations and their families. They worked to improve businesses and communities. No place was too far or too remote to scare them off. The Albrechts went to Nepal to lead trainings on fish processing and waste management; Guinea during the Ebola crises to help poultry farmers with enterprise development and marketing; Central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, where they worked with residents on chicken and duck raising businesses; and Russia to share their knowledge of feed production development.

In 2006, Bob returned to Nicaragua for a second time, to work with the National Cattle Commission. “It was heartwarming to see that many of the recommendations that I had made in previous visits were being put into practice,” he observed, “and that the implementation was enabling the farmers and processors to enjoy a higher quality way of life.”

Bob and Mary in Guinea

Guinea staff member Mamadou Thiam described Bob as very sensitive, knowledgeable and caring. He noted that Bob was always aware of his surroundings and connected with the people.

Winrock’s Director of Agriculture & Volunteer Programs DeAnn McGrew recalled that, “Bob and Mary were two of the first Winrock volunteers to Nigeria in 2001. As a new recruiter at that time, I was struck by their humility and their generosity of time, energy and spirit. I am honored and humbled to have worked with them. Bob’s generosity and dedication to others will be sorely missed.”

Bob and Mary touched the lives of hundreds of people in the developing world. In 16 years, they completed 25 assignments with Winrock in 10 different countries for a total of 479 volunteer days. Through hard work and a fierce dedication to volunteerism, Bob and Mary changed lives.

During his lifetime, Bob made countless friends all around the world; many of these friends work for Winrock International. We are grateful for the time and knowledge he donated to our programs over the years, and we will miss Bob’s warm smile, his tireless work ethic, and his zest for life. Though Bob is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in those he touched around the world.

Bob Albrecht in Senegal

Posted in Africa, Asia, Guinea, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal | Tagged agriculture, community development, Farmer-to-Farmer, inspiration, knowledge transfer, service |
ABOUT FARMER-TO-FARMER WINROCK VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE

SUBSCRIBE TO POSTS

Loading

ARCHIVE

  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011

CATEGORIES

  • AET
  • Africa
    • Ghana
    • Senegal
  • Asia
  • Bangladesh
  • Cuba
  • El Salvador
  • Ethiopia
  • Field Staff
  • Guinea
  • Kenya
  • Latin America
  • Mali
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Nigeria
  • Postharvest
  • Rural Livelihoods
  • Senegal
  • Spotlights
  • Volunteer Feedback
  • Volunteer of the Month
  • Winrock Staff
WinrockIntl
Tweets by @WinrockIntl
Follow @WinrockIntl

204 E 4th Street | North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114

ph +1 501 280 3000 | fx +1 501 280 3090

2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 700 | Arlington, Virginia 22202

ph +1 703 302 6500 | fx +1 703 302 6512

  • Contact
  • E-News Signup
  • Low Bandwidth
  • Code of Conduct
  • Winrock Privacy Statement
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
Copyright © 2015- Winrock International
DEV ENVIRONMENT