Agriculture research and production (ARP)

The project is making a valuable contribution to improving the institutional structure and strengthening the management of agricultural research in Nepal. The GON has established an effective research management structure with the creation of a National Research Coordination Committee (RCC) and a National Agricultural Research Services Center (NARSC). Project support should focus on making these new structures fully operational and effective institutions. The GOM has started to broaden its research activities to include a systems approach by bringing farming systems methodology and socioeconomic analysis into the research process. This work needs to be continued and further integrated into the mainstream of the research activities. Technology testing using farming systems methodologies should be undertaken as part of the research outreach program of agricultural research stations and farms. The project has evolved an effective method for promoting the multiplication and distribution of improved varieties of seeds through production by private producers/sellers and through farmer-to farmer distribution. The institution-building work of the project has helped the GON to establish a basis for further strengthening agricultural research through financing from other donors as well. The project demonstrates that farmer groups and private organizations can be an important element of on-farm research and an effective linkage to the further dissemination and use of improved technologies. (Author abstract)