The seven-year Improved Seeds for Farmers Program (ISFP), which is to be jointly implemented by IFAD and the government, is scheduled to start from January 2013. [break]
A press statement issued by UN House, Lalitpur, on Thursday says the aid is aimed at increasing income of about 150,000 poor rural households by accelerating agricultural growth in six districts of western parts of the country.
Farmers of Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan, Pyuthan, Gulmi and Arghakhanchi will benefit in the first phase of the program, which will be expanded to some other districts in the second phase.
“The project is based on the strategy to improve formal seed and smallholder livestock by developing partnership between farmer organizations and the private sector with a sustainable approach in line with the IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Program (COSOP) 2006-2012,” the release says.
The release also says gender equality and social inclusion, to ensure the participation of poor women, ethnic groups and low-caste members, will be in high priority while implementing the program.
The ISFP is expected to increase seed replacement rate in the program districts, thereby, contributing to higher crop productivity. Similarly, the program will also promote livestock commercialization through improvement in goat breed and expansion of dairy production as well as development of private sector enterprises in farm sector.
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