Nepal project 367-0118 · 1984–1985 · agriculture · Agriculture Inputs Corp.

Provides final report (1/80-8/85) on a project to establish a local seed production and distribution system in Nepal's mid-hill areas. The project attained a high level of success despite initial delays. Targets were surpassed in several areas: 20 mini-seedhouses and 13 warehouses constructed, vs. respective targets of 16 and 12; 325 officials and 417 farmers trained in 31 in-country sessions (vs. a targeted 26); and U.S. or third-country training of 11 Master's candidates and 84 participants in non-academic training, vs. targets of 10 and 28, respectively. A central seed testing laboratory was established at Khumaltar. The overall quality of most project construction was acceptable, but varied from site to site due to such factors as lack of suitable materials (including a shortage of water) and inferior workmanship. Several studies were conducted which greatly aided in project implementation, including socioeconomic and baseline studies which formed the basis for mini-seedhouse site selection and two important research studies: (1) a "drill box" survey which provided insight into the quality of the seed used by most farmers; and (2) a survey aimed at finding low-cost seed sto

Source: DEC abstract, PN-AAT-894 (1985). The source's own text.