The programs also include live stock development as well as entrepreneurship and institutional capacity development in launching supporting programs to enhance agriculture production at local level. [break]
Officials of IFAD and the Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD) principally reached an understanding to implement the programs in Gulmi and Arghakhanchi of the Western Development Region and Salyan, Rukum, Rolpa and Pyuthan of the Mid-Western Development Region.
“We completed negotiation a couple of days back with IFAD officials to launch the programs in the six districts which is expected to take off immediate after the formal agreement is signed between the two sides after the IFAD board approves the assistance amount,” said Prabhakar Pathak, spokesperson of the MoAD told Republica on Tuesday.
Pathak said the US$60 million project includes US$ 40 million to be supported by IFAD and remaining to be contributed by the government and beneficiary stakeholders.
The seven-year programs have targeted to produce 3,250 tons of improved seeds of cereal (paddy, maize and wheat) and 500 tons of vegetables seeds in the targeted districts over the period.
“The estimated production of improved seeds will enable farmers to farm paddy in 15,000 hectare, maize in 41,000 hectares, wheat in 14,000 hectares and vegetables in 65,000 hectares in the selected districts,” said Pathak.
About 720 groups of farmers and 13 private seed producers will be supported by improved seed production process under the plan that is expected to eventually enable those beneficiaries to support farmers in other districts after the completion of the project.
Amid growing deficit of milk and increasing dependence on imports for goat supplies in domestic market, the project also set target to open 28 milk chilling centers, 15 new dairies and 12 goats collection centers providing benefit to around 8,900 households.
Similarly, enhancing local entrepreneurship and development of institutional capacity of local farmers and institutions in planning, monitoring and evaluating the programs are also included in the proposed project.
“We are going to support local agro-vets and chamber of commerce and industry in different districts, and establish 30 new Farmers Agriculture Cooperatives in developing programs for seeds, dairy and meat production at local level ,” said Pathak.
IFAD is already supporting Nepal in production of high value agro-products and enhancing access of farm products to markets by providing support in improving roads in Mid-Western Development Region.
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