Collective sowing, collective reaping
Project name: Preparing Poor Producer for Market (3PM)
Funded by: World Vision Hong Kong (Private Non-Sponsorship funding)
Goal: Increase economic capacity of poor producers to provide well for their children in Kailali District
Project duration: April 2014-March 2017
To equip traditional farmers with commercialised farming methods and thus having better reach to the local market, the 3PM project has been implemented in six municipalities and six Village Development Committees of Kailali district. The intervention provided guidance for increased economic capacity of poor producer groups.
The initial 18 months was more focused on preparatory work: building capacity of producers’ groups on production skill and knowledge, and the following 12 months had been more focused on marketing and building relationship between the market actors and service providers. A lot of changes have been observed in production, marketing and producer-market agent relationship. As of now, 50 producer groups out of 89 groups that were formed through the project have become commercial and 37 of them have become semi-commercial. Additionally, six collection centres have been set up throughout the district. Market literacy class, which is a new intervention for producers, was conducted in 31 producer groups; 748 producers have become generally literate on marketing and informal education from the classes. As a result, vegetable production has increased by 90%, vegetable sale has increased by 66%, average gross revenue from vegetable sales has increased by 78% as well. The project has been working for the market promotion of the producers due to which 42 mini trucks of vegetables have been delivered out of Kailali district in the project duration.
The major achievement of the project has been being able to reach 2027 traditional farmers with skills required to fulfil the needs of the local market. Farmers, who once used to produce merely a few kilogrammes of produce now have an increased yield and regularly supply to the market. Moreover, functioning in groups have made them better in taking up leadership roles and being more organised that is evident through the record-keeping and division of work within the groups.
Fenced by wooden twigs and decorated with multiple scarecrows, the Jivika Farmers Group rented farm in Kailali signifies the collective effort the group has invested.
There are small chilli saplings planted and some are beginning to sprout.
Addressing the gathered members is Palturam Chaudhary, age 50, the group’s dynamic president. His determination to discuss issues regarding the farm is undeterred by the scorching sunlight. After talking about the fertilisers required, Palturam turns to me and I start asking him questions.
“As traditional farmers, we did not have much knowledge about modern methods of farming; we had only heard about them. When chilli plants on my farm would suffer due to any unfavourable factor, I would not know what to do,” he says.
Since the group formed in 2005, the members have come a long way. They have received training on the use of organic fertilisers, training on how to increase access to the local market, how to develop marketing skills, maintaining a crop calendar where crop-cycle is determined based on the seasons, and so on.
Being a part of a group has given them a sense of ownership and enhanced their leadership abilities.
Besides, being a part of a group has given them a sense of ownership and enhanced their leadership abilities. There are sub-committees formed within the group that specify what they are responsible for. For instance the purchase committee is responsible for checking whether there are any need for seeds, fertilisers, etc., and if there is, then purchasing them.
In addition, the group also has a practice of saving twice a month; each member contributes a minimal amount of NRs.50 (about 50 cents USD). The money saved has been useful to lend to members when required, to purchase necessary items, and most importantly, to rent land that they started planting on, just a month ago.
Sharing his personal account, Palturam who used to be a contractor, says that he used to be worried in his previous job as it was not regular and there was a lot of pressure when there was work. But now, he is content to be self-employed and doesn’t have to worry about jobs not coming in regularly.
“I am glad I can handle this on my own,” he says. Now that he has been saving following the expansion of his own farm and the group’s capacity, he wishes to buy a land and build a house in a place where he has better access to the local market. He also wants to invest more in his children’s education.
Another enthusiastic member of the group, Makhmali Chaudhary, age 26, is delighted that women in the community have increasingly shown interest in being a part of the group and imparting responsibilities.
“I am glad to see the change; I used to be a really shy person myself but I have felt my confidence built up as I began taking up responsibilities. I am not scared anymore,” she says. Makhmali has a nine-year old daughter, Pallavi, whom she wishes to provide a good education to.
As I watch Jivika Farmer’s Group hold their regular meeting, it is hard not to be touched by their positive attitude and the way they work together. Palturam looks at me as I am lost in my thoughts and thinks that I am staring at the scarecrows. “The scarecrows are useful to scare the blue bulls,” he says imitating the scarecrows, and everyone starts laughing; I join in too.