completed· Livelihoods

Towards sustainable service provision and effective lobby and advocacy

Nepal Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL) is the umbrella organization of Small Farmer Cooperative Limited (SFCL) and similar other agriculture cooperatives. SFCLs are agricultural microfinance cooperatives which are fully owned and managed by the local community. They have their origin in the Small Farmers Development Program (SFDP)which had been implemented by the Agricultural Development Bank Ltd. (ADBL) in 1975. As of Aug 2015, local communities in 650 VDCs have formed their own SFCLs spread in 68 districts throughout the country. Among these SFCLs, 11 SFCLs have been performing limited banking operations with the permission of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The formation of the NACCFL was based on the felt need of all local federations to have a national representation and followed a bottom-up approach. Majority of farmers do not have access to information on available (government) support programmes to improve the Agricultural sector, or do not know how to present their needs in a proper way. And vice versa, the government is not closely enough informed about the real farmers needs while preparing the major documents such as agriculture perspective plan, government fifth year plan, policy and procedures, and strategic plan. Because of that, policies are not favorable to the small holders farmers. There is need of farmers consultation while preparing such documents to make them farmers friendly. Thus the present proposal act as bridge between farmers needs and policy. Objectives: 1. Improve the financial sustainability and services of NACCFL. Aim is that NACCFL can cover its overhead costs by itself within 2 years time. 2. M&E database of member coops is 100% up to date at the end of 2016, The database serves as a source of facts and information to design future interventions, services and can be used on effective lobby and advocacy.3. NACCFL institutionalises FACT methodology in its regular work at national and regional level. outcome: Access to recources , influence on policy proposals and design of porgrammes. 4, Support 10 agri oriented member cooperatives in proper Business plan preparation. Activities: 1. Workshop on Farmer Advocacy Consultation Tools I (FACT I)2. Piloting with Farmer Advocacy Consultation Tools 3. Experience sharing Workshop on Farmer Advocacy Consultation Tools II4. ToT on Farmer Advocacy Consultation Tools II (FACT II) for Active Board Members5. Role out FACT 1 Workshop in 5 regions6. M&E volunteers training7. Business planning coaching and trainings Main goals: - Lay the foundation for financialy sustainable service provison - Build the capacity of NACCFL representatives at national and district level in effective and systematic lobby and advocacy with the aim to generate funds and have favourable policies for farmers cooperatives. Specific goals: 1. Informing and mobilizing farmers’ organizations about the public program especially government funds that are available at the local, district ad national level. 2. Ensuring FOs’ involvement in the institutional setting of the government policy/program design process especially at the national level: example: input on the new coop law and cop tax systems.3. Farmers’ organizations prepare action plans /proposals for their involvement in the implementation of the programmes/ getting access to certain funds of government programmes.