A Glimpse of CEAPRED

Established in April 1991, CEAPRED is a leading national developmental NGO of Nepal. It is probably the first non-governmental organization in the country to work on agricultural sector. Ever since its establishment , CEAPRED has consciously and consistently focused on sustainable poverty reduction and enhancement of food security and livelihoods of the poor, disadvantaged and deprived families, including small and marginal farmers, of rural Nepal. CEAPRED’s approach to poverty reduction consists of promotion of new and better economic and livelihood opportunities at the local level and linking these opportunities to the markets. Some examples of CEAPRED’s initiatives, which have been most widely recognized and referred to, include commercial off-season vegetable production program launched in eastern Nepal in the early 90s and commercial vegetable seed production program currently in operation in several districts of Nepal.

Over the past nearly two decades of its operation, CEAPRED has implemented 70 development projects, most of which concern with income and employment generation through commercial high- value agriculture and agro-enterprise promotion. Creation and expansion of new market infrastructures and channels and strengthening the commodity value chains have been an integral part of the project strategy. CEAPRED has directly worked with around 132,500 families in 52 districts of Nepal. The incomes earned by the participating families are estimated at several billion rupees annually. Over the years, CEAPRED has grown in institutional and professional strength, size and coverage. CEAPRED has its own built and well-equipped central office premises in Lalitpur and moderately equipped rented field offices in 27 districts managed by more than 200 full-time staff. Currently, the annual financial transaction (budget) of CEAPRED is equivalent to US$1.2 million.

Dhankala Dangi is a 48 year old literate woman from Mehelkuna -4, Nimare , Surkhet. Her family consists of eight members. She possesses 7.5 ropani land. Earlier, the source of family income was traditional farming and wage labour. Her own produce was hardly sufficient for 6 months. Her husband had to migrate to India seasonally for work so that the family’s basic needs could be met for the whole year. Life was indeed hard for the family.

Dhankala joined Laligurans Farmers Group promoted by Vegetable Seed Project (VSP) as a general member in 2060 and since then her life has taken a U-turn. She received various trainings and technical help from the project and has been producing varieties of vegetable seed. She started vegetable seed production in 0.5 Ropani of land in the first year. She also leased 10 ropani land for seed production. She grows varieties of seeds such as mustard, radish and bitter gourd. She earned Rs. 21000 from vegetable seed and Rs. 25000 from fresh vegetable this year. At present, she has grown vegetable crops in 12.5 ropani for seed production and expects to earn an amount of Rs. 80000 in coming season.

She used the income earned in house roofing, food and for her son’s higher education. She feels her confidence and leadership skills have also improved after being involved in the program. Dhankala, who used to hesitate speaking in front of few people, now holds the post of vice-chairperson in her group.

She sums up the change in her life by saying-”पहिले एक किलो मासु नपत्याउने समाजले आहिले घरैमा मासु पुरैदिन्छ ।