KUBK-ISFP

Improved Seeds for Farmers Programme (KUBK-ISFP) aims to support inclusive, competitive and sustainable agricultural growth within the target area to increase income of the rural poor households’ through market-driven productivity improvements intervention to contribute overall agriculture-led economic growth by bringing improvement in the formal seed sector (cereals and vegetables) and improvement of smallholders’ livestock (goats and dairy).

Agro Enterprise Center (AEC) envisions making valuable contributions in Agro Business Development and Promotion in Nepal. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 13 August, 2013 between International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Government of Nepal (GoN)/Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) and Agro Enterprise Centre/Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (AEC/FNCCI) to implement Kisankalagi Unnat Biu-Bijan Karyakram-Improved Seeds for Farmers Programme (KUBK-ISFP) in Gulmi, Arghakhachi, Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan and Pyuthan districts. The aim of this partnership is to translate AEC competences in Business Development Services (BDS) in agriculture sector to district level institutions through expansion and enhancement of activities in business enabling environment. The institutional strengthening activities aim to strengthen local and district level institutions in establishing backward and forward linkages. The BDS and Agriculture Market Information System (AMIS) feeds into shaping up national initiatives in local entrepreneurship development and market assurance to contribute in livelihood promotion of small holder’s farmers.

Engagement of AEC in the project

AEC contribution aims to increase collaboration and coordination with partners in creating enabling environment in agriculture production, trade and marketing in seed, milk and meat sub sectors to remove impediments and hassles to promote agribusinesses besides, working with project partners in realization of business opportunities and scaling entrepreneurship.

AEC provides facilities/services of the District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) in the six programme districts namely, Salyan, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Arghakhanchi and Gulmi as to use as investment windows for the project fund assistance to the identified beneficiaries. AEC creates Business Development Services (BDS) and Market Development Services (MDS) at DCCIs to promote local entrepreneurship and institutional development. AEC remains responsible for establishing linkage between producer and traders, organizing B2B and multi-stakeholder forum to address trade related impediments, organize agri-businesses promotion activities in the project districts, build capacity of respective DCCIs, collect and disseminate Agriculture related data, and facilitate establishment of purchase agreements between companiea and producers of seed, milk and meat.

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