| Abstract |
The Feed the Future (FTF) Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) project was awarded to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) by the United States Agency for International Development in Nepal (USAID-Nepal). It commenced on April 1, 2016 and will run until March 31, 2021. It is designed to contribute to FTF’s goal of sustainably reducing global poverty and hunger, by aligning with the FTF-Nepal multi-year strategy and the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy. Specifically, it aims to strengthen the overall seed and fertilizer systems by enhancing the capacity and role of public, private and community sectors in the seed and fertilizer value chains through the provision of necessary technical and business development services; improving private sector access to inbred lines and research knowledge from national and international research institutions; and enhancing public-private partnerships and coordination by establishing a tripartite research forum and a seed and fertilizer information system at the national level. The project is being implemented in collaboration with public and private sector actors, including the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Department of Agriculture (DoA), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Center for Environment and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED), Quantitative Engineering Design (QED), agro-input companies, and various other FTF projects. Working on rice, maize, lentils, onions, cauliflower, and tomatoes, the project will directly engage in 25 districts (20 FTF districts and 5 selected earthquake-affected districts), while also benefiting many more, targeting national-scale value chain and policy interventions: Far West Development Region (6 district): Achham, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Doti, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Mid-Western Development Region (10 districts): Banke, Bardiya, Dailekh, Dang, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Surkhet. Western Development Region (4 districts): Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Kapilvastu and Palpa. Central Development Region (5 earthquake-affected districts): Sindhuli, Kavre, Makwanpur, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk. This report is an annual technical progress report for the period covering April 2016 to September 2017. The report will describe the tasks completed in the reporting period (relative to what was anticipated by the approved work plan) and assess overall progress relative to the performance indicator targets. It will also highlight the issues/problems encountered during project implementation. NSAF pursues sixteen outcomes, nine of which relate to the seed value chain (the ‘Seed Component’) which aim to sustainably enhance access to elite and adapted seeds of rice, maize, lentils and high-value vegetables by systematically deploying suitable varieties, enhancing the production of quality seed of such varieties, and supplying those seeds to farming communities through efficient distribution and marketing networks. The remaining seven objectives make up the ‘Fertilizer Component’, which aim to sustainably catalyse the adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices at scale through similar value chain approaches that integrate innovation with market development and entrepreneurship strengthening. These outcomes are aligned with USAID’s Nepal Country Development Cooperation Strategy. This annual report includes a third component, which is comprised of crosscutting activities related to monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and project coordination. During the reporting period (April 2016 to September 2017), NSAF went through a renewed process of strategic planning and partnerships. The project restructured and adapted its approach to incorporate learning from implementation, FTF priorities, the Government of Nepal and its partners. NSAF conducted a number of strategic learning exercises and restructured its technical and management approach to increase its relevance and impact and to respond to priorities emerging from improvements in infrastructure, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and several socio-economic parameters. These changes are designed to facilitate the development of strong seed and fertilizer systems in Nepal and ensure long-term sustainability. These strategic developments and their contribution to the results are highlighted below. |
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