Small Farmer Development Project

Small Farmer Development Project

Many rural poor families in the Terai and hill regions struggle to feed themselves. The project worked to improve living conditions and increase the sustainability of incomes and productivity for small-scale farmers and landless people in the project area. Its design was guided by a pilot phase that set up small farmer groups in selected districts. Project objectives were to:

• build an institutional base supporting the creation of small farmer groups
• provide these groups with credit to enable them to pursue other income-generating activities
• adapt local delivery systems to the needs of rural poor people
• provide training and technical assistance

The project resulted in improvements in income, employment and production rates, and it developed ways to involve the poorest and most marginalized families. About 3,500 small farmer groups were formed. Family incomes of participating farmers increased by an estimated 20 to 30 per cent. Most importantly, the farmers were able to break out of the cycle of debt.

Source: IFAD