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.

 

 

Vegetable and Seed Production Made Eye Operation Possible

Ms. Ichhya Maya Rai, is a resident of Barnalu-3 Buladi Gaun of Okhaldhunga district. She is an active member of Nabha Prabhat Vegetable Seed Production Group. Her husband works in the farm. She has nine members in the family with no other source of income. The family’s agricultural land was the only means of livelihood on which they used to grow maize, wheat, millet and some potato for many years. The crops used to suffice for less than nine months and they had to purchase food for rest of the months. She also owns two buffaloes, two sheep, five chicken and two pigs.

After the implementation of Vegetable Seed Project (VSP) supported by SDC and implemented by CEAPRED, she joined the farmers’ group and started to grow varieties of vegetables and seeds. She received trainings and source seeds for vegetable seed production from VSP, CEAPRED. CEAPRED also provided technical assistance to encourage continuing vegetable seed production.

She harvested good amount of crop from a small piece of land. She started with growing beans and now she is cultivating varieties of fresh vegetables (zucchini) and bean (four seasons) for fresh and seed purpose. Currently, she earns Rs.700 to 900 per week through sale of vegetables produced in a small piece of land (about 5 Ropani). After making good amount of profit, other family members have also started helping her in vegetable farming. They work together in field and go to market to sell the product. Their extra income is helping them to send their children for higher education.

She said, “My eyes operation would never been possible if I didn’t have enough money. Now I can see properly which is only because of vegetable and seed production.” Now-a-days her neighbors have also become interested in vegetable and seed production and often visit their land to see and learn.