Nepal’s growth in Agriculture sector is low due to centralistic planning, limited year-round irrigation, lack of agricultural services and limited access to markets.

While small irrigation is an exclusive right of the local governments as per Nepal’s Constitution 2015, the newly established local and provincial governments lack institutional and technical capacities to implement irrigation schemes. They require technical and financial support to fulfil their duty in an inclusive, equitable and sustainable manner.

Outcome1: Local Governments  respond effectively to needs of small farmers for irrigated agriculture

Outcome 2: Small farmers, especially disadvantaged groups, increase agricultural productivity

Outcome 3: Market actors offer innovative supports and products to farmers in irrigated schemes

Expected results:  

Outputs related with Outcome 1

• Provincial Government strengthens its capacity to support Local Governments
• Local Governments strengthen their legislative and executive capacity for implementing small irrigation schemes. They also support in irrigated agriculture development

Outputs related with Outcome 2

• Small farmers organize themselves inclusively in Water User Associations and build, operate and maintain small irrigation systems
• Farmers access agriculture extension services from Local Governments and plan their production based on commercial opportunities

Outputs related with Outcome 3

• Agriculture input service providers provide maintenance, production advice or embedded services to farmers
• Traders and retailers establish contacts with Water User Association members

Results from previous phases:  

As per the annual project reports:

• Rural poor, especially the disadvantaged groups, increased their agricultural income by more than 40% in the areas of intervention.
• Since April 2015, a total of 49’000 small farming households, including 46% disadvantaged and 11% women-headed households, increased their agricultural productivity by managing irrigation systems in 13,600 hectares of land.
• Production of  paddy, wheat and potato increased by 66%, 52% and 78% respectively Likewise, the cropping intensity increased by 38%.
• Winter vegetable production (potato) increased by more than 78%.
• 93% irrigation schemes built or rehabilitated under the projects are functioning well after 3 years of its completion.

Joint Venture of national consulting firms GEOCE, TMS and Aviyaan Consultants. The Joint Venture had won the mandate for the first phase through a two-stage selective public tender process. Continuation as a mandate with direct award.