Rapti development project : final evaluation (project no. 367-0155)

Thanks to the project, a high-growth strategy is now feasible in Rapti. Especially since the mid-term review, the project emphasized the commercialization of hill agriculture in intensive, geographically defined development pockets -- a strategy which has been supported by income generation through community forestry, soil conservation programs, and the development of local self-government though farmer user groups and other village and district institutions. The project played an important role in forming user groups and helping them to focus on a few, achievable priorities. The project is a prototype for sustained development not only in Rapti, but throughout Nepal. The project supported district and local efforts to manage resources for local needs, organizing democratic user groups, building local capacity to construct and maintain hill agricultural roads, and providing a model for involving national line agencies in building roads to major pockets of cash crop production. There is now an extraordinary opportunity to build on that experience in the context of a massive government expansion of resources for village-level programs, though care must be taken to prevent mismanagement and waste of funds. Environmental enhancement was another success, especially the handing over of forests to user groups and the plan developed for soil conservation and management. So far, 10% of the forest suitable for community forestry has been turned over in Rapti Zone -- 42% in Salyan district -- compared with 2% nationwide. Although the same critical level was not achieved in soil conservation, a comprehensive prototype for action was created. The project also played an important role in integrating livestock and the fodder production. The project dramatically increased income, equity, women"s participation, sustainability, and favorable social effects in all the demonstration pockets; since these successes have been achieved largely through farmers" own resources, only modest public resources will be needed to expand them. A typical low-elevation farmer experienced a 20 increase in income by shifting half of his/her irrigated wheat to intensive vegetable/vegetable seed production; some farmers who shifting all wheatland to vegetables experienced a 50% increase. The income of apple farmers is rising two- and three-fold; those at the highest elevations have seen incomes jump will beyond those at lower elevations. Women are active members of user groups and are becoming increasingly assertive, especially in vegetable and fruit production. Nutrition education for women in the context of fruit and vegetable commercialization would be of great social benefit, given the vitamin A deficiency in Nepal. The social impact of the dramatic reduction in male migration to India cannot be overstated. Over 3 years, income from work in India has declined by 40%, while cash income from cash crops, livestock, and off-farm work in Nepal has increased by about 40%. Expenditures for housing and education have increased, as has incentive to invest inland and water. Forestry and other user groups have opened bank accounts with money collected from the sale of forest-based and other products; these funds are being used to improve village infrastructure and finance lower-interest loans for modernizing farm operations. The project also offered something to isolated farmers. Seed production generates cash income in isolated areas (some 5 days" walk from the nearest road), and the livestock programs have introduced improved breeds that are greatly increasing the productivity of animals for home consumption. Given the success of its intensive priority pocket strategy, the project has an unusual opportunity to address second-generation problems. Line agencies need assistance in achieving the administrative changes required to apply the strategy throughout Rapti. Also, a means (probably outside the line agencies) is needed for introducing pockets of success, with their strong technical and marketing competence, throughout Nepal.