Reported end date passed· Livelihoods

Hybrid seed production in Nepal

North South Seed Ltd. is part of the Lal Teer group in Bangladesh. This company started in 1995 with the breeding and production of hybrid and high yielding vegetable seeds together with Dutch owned East West Seed International. Over the last few years they have exported their hybrid seeds through their Nepalese partner CG Seeds and Fertilizer Pvt. Ltd.. Demand for hybrid seeds in Nepal is high and growing, but there is no local, commercial production of hybrid seeds. The two partners aim to set up a joint venture that will be the first Nepalese seed company that will produce hybrid seeds (vegetables, rice and maize) To this effect, 200 seed growers will be contracted and trained and a seeds processing plant will be established. Furthermore, a network of seed traders will be developed in the main agricultural regions of Nepal.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will develop a corporate social responsibility policy during the inception phase of the project ensuring good working conditions and preferred recruitment of women and people from underprivileged minorities (Dhaliths). They will ensure fair prices for the seed growers.Impact• Employment and working conditionsThe project will create 102 direct jobs (47 basic-level, 55 medium-/high-level), increased to 111 (49 basic-, 62 medium-/high-level) after follow-up investments. Salaries will be at least 10% above minimum wage.• Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThis project will transfer knowledge of hybrid seed production of five vegetable and two cereal crops, including processing, storage quality control and sales and marketing. Hybrid seed production is new in Nepal.• Chain effectsThis project will improve the incomes, knowledge and livelihoods of 200 contracted seed growers. It is estimated that seed growers can increase their earnings four times if they move from OPV to hybrid seed production. In addition, it will create 11 indirect jobs for distribution and sales agents.• Position of womenAt least 20% women will be employed by the joint venture, including medium/high-level positions. 40% of the outgrowers will be female.

Source-reported status: completed. Timeline labels use reported dates and do not verify current activity.