completed· Education

Sustainable service provision to members; cooperative marketing and improved access to quality seeds

SFACFL Makwanpur (federation of Agricultural cooperatives) promotes commercial farming among its members, focusing on the innovators and lead farmers of the district. Building the entrepreneurial skills of these farmers will set an example for other farmers, showing them practicaly how to produce in a sustainable way for the market. Focus will be on record keeping at the farm level, bench marking through study groups and collective or cooperative marketing. Focus will be on 8 member cooperatives, those having better access to markets. At the same time, the federation will improve its financial position: if farmers realise and feel the benefits of the services provided by the federation, they will start contributing to pay for certain services. The federation aims to improve its internal income generation with at least 20% (compared to last year) this year. Proposed activities for 2016: 1. Improved Financial sustainability of the federation by offering quality services and developing a business case on seeds- Prepare a businessplan/operational plan on services by the Federation, with earning models related to services- basic financial management training- Propagation and distribution of of improved seed (maize, rice) following a sustainable business plan 2. Services to members to improve commercial farming and cooperative marketing (focus on 8 primary coopertiaves)- Record keeping introduced to 1600 farmers- benchmarking ToT for lead farmers/ field staff- Farmer Field Schools for 320 farmers- Marketing sub committees trained and making marketing plans.- My.coop training on coop marketing and input supply- Local seed improvement of hot pepper and broad leaf mustard 3. Improved lobby/ advocacy for access to finance- participate in FACT trajectory (organised by NACCFL)- improved proposals --> resulting in approved funding/cooperation 1. Improved Financial sustainability of the federation by offering quality services and developing a business case on seeds 2. Services to members to improve commercial farming and cooperative marketing (focus on 8 primary cooperatives) 3. Improved lobby/ advocacy for access to finance