Locations
Value Chain Development of Fruit and Vegetables Project (VCDP)
Summary
To address the challenges and improve agricultural productivity, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNDP have entered into an agreement in June 2018. The project aims to increase incomes of smallholder farmers with a focus on farmers’ enhanced access to agricultural technologies, minimized postharvest losses, and improved market linkages. It targets to support 10,000 farmers, twenty collection centres, cooperatives and extension officers in thirty seven palikas in Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces. By the end of 2022, the project envisages that a) fruit and vegetable gross margin is increased by 15%, b) postharvest losses reduced by 5%p, and c) 40% more volumes of fruit and vegetables are traded at local markets.
Background
Seventy percent of agriculture is rain-fed, and two out of three farmers own land whose size is less than 0.22ha. Agriculture productivity is low compared to that of neighboring countries, which is associated with limited infrastructure, small farm size, human resource shortage and limited access to market. The marketable volumes are low considering the production potentiality. 20-35% of fruit and 15-30% of vegetables are being lost during picking, storage, or transportation. Farmers have limited access to the market when selling products.
Major Achievements
- 12,596 farmers (58% women, 51% from minority groups) got capacitated with production knowledge, access to postharvest technology practices and connection to markets.
- 47 returnee migrants (22% female; 58% from ethnic groups) successfully turned into agri-entrepreneurs, earning $600-$2,300.
- Comparing data between 2019 and 2021, the average yield of vegetables increased by 21.3% (14.3mt/ha to 17.3mt/ha). The vegetable postharvest losses decreased from 20.7% to 16.9%. 30% more fruit/vegetables have been traded at collection centres (traded volume from 2,747mt to 3,575mt).
- About 1,215,000 households were able to get farming information directly or indirectly from local radio programs during C19 situation.
Project Outcome
- Outcome 1. Improve agricultural productivity through increased capacity of government agencies and better access to production technologies
- Outcome 2. Reduce postharvest losses
- Outcome 3. Enhance market linkages at local level
GESI Component
- The project advocates for ensuring Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in all project implementation process: from the identification of beneficiaries to the selection of facilitators, consultants, and other stakeholders.
- To date, out of 12,596 farmers, 7,290 are female, and 6,483 are from minority groups. The project also made a list of farmers with disability to further explore tailored support.
- VCDP supported the Sasakta women cooperative in Sindhuli with capacity development training and facility support including collection centre/office set up, benefitting 214 female farmers.
- VCDP supports 3 other women-led cooperatives for capacity building and facility support (Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperative ltd in Nawalparasi; and 2 Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperative ltd in Makwanpur). Total beneficiary number to be confirmed.
Project details:
| Project Status | Closed |
| Project Period | July 2018 to December 2022 |
| Project ID | 00095359 |
| Focus Area | Production maximization, postharvest loss management, and local market linkage |
| Collaborating Partners | Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, 37 Local governments, agrovets |
| Budget | KOICA ($5m), UNDP ($0.5m) |
| Contact | CO Focal Point Ms. Kalpana Sarkar Portfolio Manager United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Nepal UN House, Pulchowk, Lalitpur Phone:+ 977 14290000 Email: kalpana.sarkar@undp.org |
Project Focal Point Mr. Shiva Kumar Shrestha, National Project Manager VCDP shiva.shrestha@vcdp.org.np |