Report of the Media Briefing Workshops Addressing Barriers to Rice Seeds Trade between India and Bangladesh (RISTE Project) 1. Background 1.1 CUTS International has implemented the RISTE project, since January 2013 in collaboration with four partners in India and one in Bangladesh with the support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project is being implemented in four eastern states of India namely; Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal and in Bangladesh with the objective to develop an enabling environment to promote seeds trade and knowledgesharing on High Yielding Variety (HYV) rice seeds between India and Bangladesh. 1.2 The project seeks to facilitate understanding of two interrelated issues: firstly, major factors that hinder formal trade and knowledge sharing between Bangladesh and India in rice seeds, particularly in HYV rice seeds; and secondly why is there lack of consensus among the relevant stakeholders with regard to potential benefits and constraints relating to HYV rice seeds trade and knowledge-sharing between the two countries. 1.3 The project, since its inception, has achieved several milestones. These include identifying disabling factors that hinder trade and cooperation in rice seeds between India and Bangladesh. Several enabling factors, which could lead to improvement in rice seeds availability and accessibility in the two countries, have also been identified. These findings are duly reflected in the reports and other research papers produced under the project. Major findings and recommendations are summarised in the form of Joint Communique and Recommendatory Paper. These could be accessed at http://cuts-citee.org/riste/outputs.htm. 2. Media Briefing Workshops 2.1 For dissemination of major findings and outreach among the relevant policy makers, research institutions, seed producers and traders and the end users i.e. the farmers, altogether five media briefing workshops were organised four in India (Aurangabad in Bihar, Kendrapada in Odisha, Kolkata in West Bengal, and Ranchi in Jharkhand) and one in Bangladesh (Dhaka). Table 1: Media Briefings in India and Bangladesh Date Partner Organisation Location April 25, Bihar Water Development Society, Bihar Aurangabad, Bihar April 28, Samrudhi, Odisha Kendrapada, Odisha June 5, Mukti, West Bengal Kolkata, West Bengal May 12, Indian Grameen Services, Jharkhand Ranchi, Jharkhand June 28, Unnayan Shamannay, Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh 1 P a g e
2.2 The approach towards the organisation of media briefing workshops is premised on the understanding that media can potentially play an instrumental role in raising policy debate and awareness on public policy issues, and can bring policy changes on issues, such as formalisation of trade in rice seeds, particularly HYV. Media could also play a significant role in ushering in a regime of cooperation and knowledge sharing between Bangladesh and India on larger issues of agriculture development. Further, a strong association with print and electronic media is expected to lead to an effective dissemination of the research findings, stimulate policy debate, promote endorsement of research findings and create conducive environment for the necessary policy and practice changes in enhancing rice seeds trade and knowledge sharing between Bangladesh and India on larger issues of agriculture development. 3. Objectives of Media Briefing Workshops a. Generate awareness among local and national level media on the issue of informal rice seeds trade between India and Bangladesh b. Enable interaction between and among the local and national media on project findings and its importance for Bangladesh and India and c. Sensitise the local and national media on scope and potential of formalisation of trade in rice seeds and knowledge sharing between Bangladesh and India. 4. Media Outreach and Participation 4.1 Five media briefing workshops at five locations drew the participation of more than 80 media persons from electronic and print media and both of regional and national languages including English. Out of these, about 40 media channels prominently covered the event. Media coverage can be assessed at the online RISTE webpage: http://www.cutscitee.org/riste/in_media.htm. Table 2: Some Selected Media Channels that Covered the Workshops in India and Bangladesh States/Country Bihar Jharkhand Odisha 2 P a g e Name of Newspaper and TV Channel Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Rashtriya Sahara and ETV (Bihar) Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Sanmarg, Dainik Bhaskar and AAJ Suryapravah, Dharitri, Sambada, The Samaj, Samay, ETV (Odia) and Doordarshan (Odia) West Bengal Financial Express, Sambad Pravah, The Statesman, Hindustan Times, Dainik Jagran, Salaam Dunia, Prabhat Khabar, Press Trust of India and The Economic Times, Business Standard Bangladesh 5. Media Coverage Daily Sun, Jai Jai Din, Banikborta, Janakantha, Yugantar, Samakal, Prothom Alo 5.1 As indicated above, nearly 40 media channels, both electronic and print, prominently covered the media briefing workshops organised during April 25to June 28,. The media
(print and electronic) covered issues, such as flourishing of Bangladeshi rice seeds varieties in India and vice versa; quality of rice seeds available in Bangladesh and India; barriers to formalisation of trade and cost and the benefits therein; lack of awareness and loss of productivity among others. A list of selected coverage is provided in Table 3. Other media coverage can be accessed at http://cuts-citee.org/riste/in_media.htm. Table 3: List of Selected Coverage of the Media Briefing Workshops (Organised during 25 April to 28 June) S. No. Media/Channel Name Title of Coverage* 1. Banikborta, June 29, 2. Janakantha, June 29, 11 Bangladeshi rice seeds varieties flourishing in India 13 Bangladeshi rice seeds varieties popular in India 3. Samakal, June 29, Barriers impacting rice seed trade 4. Yugantar, June 29, 5. Prothom Alo, June 29, 6. Financial Express, June 06, 7. Sambad Pravah, June 06, 8. The Statesman, June 06, 9. Hindustan Times, June 06, 10. Dainik Jagran, June 06, 11. Salaam Dunia, June 06, 12. Prabhat Khabar, June 06, 13. Press Trust of India, June 06, 14. The Economic Times, June 05, 15. The Samaj, May 25, 16. First News Magazine, May 17, 60 percent rice seeds low quality in Bangladesh Consultation on HYV rice seeds trade between Bangladesh and India Research proposes formal Indo-Bangla trade in rice seeds Rice seeds trade between India and Bangladesh affected NGO Stresses on Bilateral Rice Trade Global warming taking toll on paddy cultivation Problem in rice seeds causes losses to farmers Benefits from Cooperation between India and Bangladesh Formal trade of rice seeds between India and Bangladesh should happen Research proposes formal trade in Indo- Bangla rice seeds Research proposes formal trade in rice seeds between India and Bangladesh Indian farmers on the mercy of Bangladeshi middleman Informal trade surges between Bangladesh and India 3 P a g e
17. Prothom Alo, May 14, 18. Dainik Jhagran, Ranchi, May 13, 19. Hindustan, Ranchi, May 13, 20. Sanmarg, Ranchi, May 13, 21. Dainik Bhaskar, Ranchi, May 13, 22. AAJ, Ranchi, May 13, 23. Daily Observer, May 11, 24. UNBconnect, May 10, 25. Press Trust of India, May 06, 26. Suryaprava, April 29, 27. The Samaj, April 29, 28. Sambada, April 28, Formalising Indo-Bangla rice seed trade underscored Farmers of Jharkahnd depend on conventional rice seeds Jharkhand Lacks quality rice seeds Farmers of Jharkahd lack awareness about quality rice seeds Farmers of Jharkahd lack awareness about Quality Rice Seeds Farmers of Jharkahd lack awareness about quality rice seeds India, Bangladesh should collaborate in HYV rice seed development Study stresses Indo-Bangla collaboration on HYV rice seeds Formalise trade in rice seeds between India and Bangladesh: Study Surplus seeds of farmers will be sold in Bangladesh Farmers surplus seeds will be used in other countries Discussion on quality rice seeds production 29. Samay, April 28, CUTS International organised farmers meeting 30. Dharitri, April 28, Odisha produces quality rice seeds 31. National Sahara, April 26, 32. Hindustan, April 25, 33. Dainik Jagran, April 25, 34. Press Trust of India, April 20, Quality rice seeds produced in Aurangabad will go to Bangladesh Crop productivity will increase Increase the production of rice: DAO India, Bangladesh need cooperation in rice seed trade: Study *Title of coverage in local/regional languages has been translated into English. 4 P a g e
6. Some Media Clippings Daily Sun, Dhaka, Bangladesh, June 29, Nayi Duniya, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 13 May, 5 P a g e
6 P a g e Aaj, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 13 May,
Hindustan, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 13 May, Dainik Bhaskar, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 13 May, 7 P a g e
8 P a g e
The Samaj, 29 April, Sambada, 28 April, 9 P a g e
10 P a g e Janakantha, Dhaka, 29 June, Yugantar, Dhaka, 29 June,