PIWAAI Agriculture Component mainly comprised of the formation of 30 farmers’ group, providing technical training on seasonal and off seasonal vegetable production, aiding them with agricultural inputs, supporting farmers in marketing through marketing training and establishment of collection centers and points. Exposure visits to different areas in Nepal was also the central part of the project to enhance knowledge of farmers. It also focused on promoting linkage between traders, farmers, and the local government. Working with small holder farmers in developing their capabilities to prioritize, plan and implement development opportunities was the central thrust of the project implementation strategy.
In the first year, the farmer’s overall income increased by 376%, and the quantity of sales has also increased by 1022%. In the seond year, the farmer’s overall income increased by 536% and the quanity of sales has also increase by 1147%. In two years, 320 farmer beneficiaries received plastic houses from which the quantity sales of tomato increased by 46%. In the final year, the project was successful in increasing the average annual income from vegetables by 1732%, while increasing the average quantity of production by 976% and average quantity of sales by 2718% exceeding project goals.
Local Agrovets were trained and provided license while two Market Planning Committees were formed in Balefi & Sunkoshi and Melamchi who will develop market linkage fro agriculture inputs between the farmers and traders and operate collection centers located at Sunkoshi and Melamchi project site to facilitate agriculture activity. 3 Collection Centers and 13 Collection Points have been established in the three project areas to ease market linkage for the farmers.
Read the stories of how agriculture has changed lives of men and women in Sindhupalchok.
