News: IFAD Funded Project- HVAP Completed
The High Value Agriculture Project in Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP) of Nepal was completed on 30 September 2018. The completion review workshop with knowledge fair was organized on 1stOctober 2018 in Kathmandu. The project team shared the results and learning of the project among the project stakeholders as well as development partners.
The HVAP was a joint endeavor of the Government of Nepal (GoN) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and was executed bythe Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) in partnership with the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) Nepal and the Agro-Enterprise Center (AEC) of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). It has completed 7.5 years of the total project on 30 September 2018 which was started on 6 Feb, 2011.
The HVAP was a market-led initiative that sought to increase income and employment opportunities to smallholder farmers through the development and upgrading of pro-poor value chains of high value agriculture commodities. Following the inclusive business (IB) approach, the project facilitated mutually beneficial and profitable arrangements between the suppliers (producers) and buyers (traders) in high value commodity (HVC) value chains and enhanced the inclusion of socially-marginalized groups. As a result of the newly-constructed three road corridors in the region (Chhinchu-Jajarkot, Surkhet-Dailekh and Surkhet-Jumla), the project focused on the agricultural supply (primarily, supply of high values crops, NTFPs and goat meat) from Achham, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot, Salyan and Surkhet districts. The project worked to increase production and enhanced value chains for seven different agricultural/NTFP commodities: apple, timur (Sichuan Pepper), turmeric, ginger, vegetable seeds, off-season vegetables, and goat.
The summary results were shared during the workshop. 15,965 beneficiaries supported under the projectas against the target of 13,500 households, have reported increase in production as compared to base line. The cumulative production from value chain crops during 2013-14 to 2017-18 has increased from 5,282 MT to 34,655 MT. 83% of the producers supported have reported higher farm gate prices compared to pre-project situation based on Annual Outcome Survey (AOS) 2017. Overall area under cultivation has increased from 84 ha to 207 ha. 97% of the Producers’ Organizations (POs) (Groups and Cooperatives) are active and functional. 96% of POs are in profits against the target of 75%. The overall average annual increase in income is estimated at NPR 46,055 among the direct beneficiary households as against the target of NPR 30,000 based on the constant prices.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Secretaries of Agriculture and livestock Development (MoALD),Country Programme Manager IFAD, representatives of other line ministries, representatives from National Planning Commission, National Farmers Commission, Country Programme Office IFAD-Nepal, representatives from other development agencies SDC/SNV/UNCDF, AEC/FNCCI,IFAD PCR mission team, Project Managers of MoALD project; IFAD-Nepal Projects, HVAP funded agribusinesses, representatives from groups/cooperatives participated in the workshop.
During the workshop, the HVAP Project Manager and IFAD PCR team shared the project achievements and learning as well as recommendations for the upcoming IFAD funded project-“Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP)”. The farmers, agribusinesses and market actors also shared their experiences and achievements in the workshop. More than hundred participants participated in the workshop.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mr. Chakrapani Khanal, Chief Guest of the workshop, addressed to the workshop participants and said that the achievements of this project have changed my thought of negative attitude towards the projects which are operational under the Ministry and requested to all to apply the practical learning of this project within the ministry and other projects as well. The workshop was conducted on chairmanship of Dr. Yubak Dhoj GC, Secretary of MoALD.