OPERATIONAL FLOW

Identification and Prioritization of Research Problems.
Both top-down and bottom-up approaches are used in problem identification. In the top-down approach, problem areas are reported by administrators, planners, policy makers and donors. In the bottom-up approach, the field foresters, wood based industries, NGOs and private entrepreneurs come up with their problems for solution. In addition to their own areas of research interest, the researchers take both these feedback approaches into consideration and propose research projects. These projects are scrutinized by a Technical Committee of the Institute, and the recommendations are again examined by a Coordination Committee consisting of researchers and clientele representatives headed by the Director, BFRI. Annual Research Programs are the finalized by a Research Advisory Committee headed by the Secretary, MOEF. Integrated and multidisciplinary approaches are given priority in formulating the research projects.

Sources of Fund
Research is funded both from the revenue and development budget. The establishment expenditures are supported from the revenue budget of the Government of Bangladesh (GOB). The development activities including the research operational expenditures are covered from the development budget. The Main contributors are IDA, USAID, FAO/UNDP, IDRC, FORSPA and other international agencies.

Projects Implementation
Fund is released to the researchers based on the approved work plans. An Individual or a team of researchers representing several disciplines remains responsible for implementation of each project. Each member of the team has specific responsibilities in integrated programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation
Each project is periodically monitored both internally and externally during its implementation. Institutional administration is responsible for internal monitoring while the external monitoring is done by a team of experts appointed by the MOEF, BARC, IMED of Ministry of Planning and the donor agencies.

Technology Transfer
Results are disseminated through publication of reports, bulletins, scientific papers, popular articles, working papers and other mass media. Seminars, symposia and workshops are also organized for the field workers of Government departments and private entrepreneurs. There are about 700 research publications in the Institute. The institute publishes an internationally recognized half-yearly journal: Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science. In addition, extension materials on matured technologies are published as leaf-lets, folders and booklets for widespread circulation. BFRI also regularly feeds the Technology Transfer and Monitoring Unit of BARC and contributes at the District, Regional and National Technical Committee of DAE, which enhance the Institute’s technology transfer activities.

Specifically, training courses such as propagation of bamboo, nursery techniques, pests and diseases management, preservative treatment of rural housing materials, wood identification, improved productivity of man-made forest, land capability assessment for site specific species selections, wood seasoning, wood technology, etc. are organized periodically. Over 6000 individuals of FD, BFIDC, Institutes of NARS, NGOs and common people have been trained so far in using these technologies. BFRI also offers consultative advice and technical services to different Government and Non–Government Organizations and persons related to forest production, management and utilization.

Linkage and Collaboration
BFRI maintains internationals linkage through the MOFF and BARC with IDRC, INBAR, ISME, FAO/UNDP, WB, IUFRO, SAARC, FORSPA, FORTIP, ADB, CIDA, SIDA, Winrock International, CIFOR, DANIDA, IPGRI, etc. It works in cooperation with FD, BFIDC, BCIC, DAE, BARC, Department of Environment (DE), universities and other institutions involved in land based production systems, wood based industries and environmental conservation.

BFRI is specifically collaborating with NARS in the nationally coordinated Farming System research (FSR). Mention-worthy recent international collaborations are with FORTIP as being the national focal institute and involved with the international neem provenance trial. It is participating as the lead institute in the species improvement network (SPIN) for bamboo in the region under UNDP/FAO regional project on improved productivity of Man- Made forests through application of technical advances in tree breeding and propagation. BFRI is involved with INBAR in leading an international working group in bamboo production and genetic research.

Human Resource Development
Professionals is offered training leading to higher degrees at specialist’s level at home and abroad. The sub–professional are trained internally in the institute. Specialized local training are offered by BFRI, BARC or other institutes for the professional and sub-professional staff. Academic and professional training, workshops, and seminars are sponsored by the international donor agencies.