The National Innovation Facilitators (NIFs) are the field staff working daily with partnerships for the CDAIS project. They are the ones who move forward the project, meet Parvez Chowdhury from the FISH NICHE in Bangladesh.

“CDAIS has given me the opportunity to learn different functional skills needed for working more intensively with fish farmers and helping them to work together to achieve their vision.”

Hello, who are you?

“I am Parvez Chowdhury, known as “nitol”, from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), Mymensingh. I am the National Innovation Facilitator (NIF) for the Fish cluster (niche) in Trishal, Mymensingh. I have a BSc Honours degree in Fisheries and an MSc in Fisheries Management from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. At present I am working as a scientific officer at the Headquarters, BFRI, Mymensingh on culture technology development of tilapia, cuchia, freshwater snail and mussel in Bangladesh. My research also focuses on developing breeding and culture technologies to help conserve 18 endangered indigenous fish species in Bangladesh.”

What are your roles and responsibilities as National Innovation Facilitator?

“I am working with tilapia farmers to help them address the problems they face in fish culture, production and marketing, particularly to develop their soft skills and bring them together in a common platform for producing safe and quality fish which find remunerative markets.”

What has CDAIS changed for you?

“In CDAIS, my journey has started to join in MEL and R & R training on October 2018 in Bandorban. Being a part of the CDAIS project I have learned how to facilitate activities and engage with farmers and other stakeholders and how to work and communicate with other culture people. We have already finalized a coaching plan with a particular vision in fish cluster. Through this project I am able to enhance my own functional, communication and sharing skills and knowledge.”