• 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 at Winrock

VOLUNTEER BLOG

Simple technologies, widespread benefits

  • SHARE:
  • Copy

Posted on November 17, 2015

This article is a contribution to a four-week blog series celebrating 30 years of USAID’s John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Program.

What is technology transfer? How has F2F supported successful technology transfer? What are some of the associated impacts?

These questions have inspired us to reflect on many successful volunteer assignments over the years. Winrock’s Asia F2F field staff offer a few examples:

In Bangladesh, F2F volunteers introduced the California Mastitis Test (CMT) kit to livestock technical agents and service providers to check the presence of mastitis disease in cows. This low-cost, simple technology was not previously available in Bangladesh, so F2F volunteers brought samples of the kit and demonstrated its use during interactive trainings. Subsequently, Bangladeshi service providers — such as BRAC, which supports over 1 million livestock farmers — have imported and introduced the kit to thousands of local experts and dairy farmers. Mr. A Q M Shafiqur Rouf, the Deputy General Manager of the BRAC AI Enterprise, notes,

“For the first time in my life, we are introducing mastitis diagnosis by test kits. It is a very easy solution for a complex problem. Our dairy farmers highly benefit from it!”

ban341_ingawa

F2F volunteer Dr. Kasim Ingawa demonstrates how to correctly hold a CMT kit to check mastitis disease in cows

In Nepal, F2F volunteers introduced the FAMACHA card, a simple tool that enables rapid detection of parasites on sheep and goats. Dr. Nelson Escobar trained more than 200 individuals on the use of the tool. After the training, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives instructed government staff to employ the FAMACHA card in projects nationwide. Volunteer Daniel Flaherty likewise conducted training of trainers for extension workers from the Government of Nepal’s Agriculture Food Security Project (AFSP); subsequently, the project purchased 600 FAMACHA cards and trained 250 local service providers to effectively use the tool and offer expanded services to more than 20,000 goat and sheep farmers.

Daniel Flaherty teaches farmers how to use the FAMACHA card to detect parasites in goats

Daniel Flaherty teaches farmers how to use the FAMACHA card to detect parasites in goats

In Myanmar (Burma), volunteer Howard Prussack trained and assisted over 900 women and men from 34 villages, the majority of whom had never before received information or support on agriculture production. He demonstrated techniques to help improve productivity and introduced simple tools such as basic soil tests, magnifying glasses, and insect traps that the farmers had never seen before. In village after village, the farmers were rapt. Staff from the Myanmar Businesses Coalition on AIDS, which supported Prussack on his assignment, explained,

“Howard was just what we asked for, bringing practical solutions to real world problems. This is a program that changes lives!”

Farmers were rapt as F2F volunteer Howard Prussack demonstrated simple technologies

Farmers were rapt as F2F volunteer Howard Prussack demonstrated simple technologies

There are many other examples of successful technology transfer volunteer assignments and resulting impacts, worldwide. Winrock has implemented F2F since 1991; this is one of the common threads.

We are currently recruiting volunteer experts to participate in technology transfer assignments related to laboratory sciences; seed oil processing; and horticulture, aquaculture, and rice production in several countries in Asia and West Africa. To find out more, visit: https://winrock.org/opportunities

From November 16-December 11, F2F program partners are sharing their knowledge and experience providing technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses, service providers, and other agriculture sector institutions in developing and transitional countries. As aligned with Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, F2F works to support inclusive agriculture sector growth, facilitate private sector engagement in the agriculture sector, enhance development of local capacity and promote climate-smart development. Volunteer assignments address host-led priorities to expand economic growth that increases incomes and improves access to nutritious food. This blog series aims to capture and share this program experience.

Read more articles celebrating 30 years of F2F on Agrilinks:  agrilinks.org

Posted in Asia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal | Tagged F2F 30th Anniversary, Farmer-to-Farmer, international volunteer, technology transfer
ABOUT FARMER-TO-FARMER WINROCK VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE

SUBSCRIBE TO POSTS

Loading

ARCHIVE

  • 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