In Nepal's Kaski and Kapilvastu districts, this study looks at the effectiveness of the Prosperity Realization via Irrigation and Smallholder Market (PRISM) approach on farmer income and poverty reduction. The study was based on a purposive sample of diverse vegetable farmer groups from IDE projects that were performed and finished utilising the PRISM technique. In the vegetable farming of the project area, the sample included 105 household heads from 15 farmer groups in Kaski and 168 family heads from 24 farmer groups in Kapilvastu. They were chosen at random from a random table number. Information was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the situation was compared before and after the ten-year project intervention. Statistical Package for Social Science was used to tabulate, analyse, and analyse the data gathered (SPSS). The initiative primarily focused on agricultural supply chain networking to assist small farmers in increasing production, productivity, and marketing. Following the project intervention, the number of input suppliers increased, as did the availability of their services in a timely manner, indicating a positive impact in the field of input supply. More than 92 percent of small vegetable growers expressed satisfaction with the improved input supply situation.
Farmers' technical capability was improved, farmers were organised into groups, and forward and backward links with input suppliers and output dealers were strengthened, according to more than 86 percent of the respondents. The vegetable growers were able to sell their agricultural product on time in more than 94 percent of the sample populations. It aided them in becoming commercially successful entrepreneurs, providing job and revenue generation opportunities that considerably aided in poverty alleviation. Small vegetable growers' living standards have improved as a result of increasing food security, greater intake of vegetables and other protein-rich meals, and access to amenities such as television. Currently, 80-90 percent of farmers own radios and cellphones. Gender equality, as well as female participation in decision-making, improved by 75 to 95 percent. Consumption patterns and usage of health facilities for the improvement of health and hygiene of newborns, children, and adults suggested that vegetable growers were health concerned. Disease incidence dropped, as evidenced by fewer visits to health facilities by the family. The net return in Kaski was 22 times higher than before the project, and the net return in Kapilvastu was 5 times higher. All of the indices used to assess the impact on input supply, farm output, and produce marketing have improved since the PRISM Project began ten years ago, demonstrating the project's beneficial impact. In Kaski and Kapilvastu, the increase in mean area of vegetable cultivation after the project was significantly substantial when compared to before the project intervention. In Kaski, the increase in area under vegetable cultivation over the winter and summer was similarly large, but not in Kapilvastu. The seasonal vegetable growing farm with hired labours (R2 = 64.55) operating on the farm contributed about 2/3rd of the vegetable production, according to the multiple regressed F-value pooled of both districts. As a result, the Nepalese government must adopt a strategy to utilise the PRISM approach as a programme planning tool for long-term development.
Author(s) Details
Bhimsen Gurung
Retired Government Senior Extension Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Nepal, Nepal and Retired International Value Chain/PRISM Capacity Development Director, IDE/International, Denvar, USA and Chairman of the Pokhara Lincoln International College, affiliated to Lincoln University, Malaysia and Chairman of New Bibek Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. Akantakuna, Lalitpur and Founding member of the BMG Secondary School, Pokhara Metropolitan city-29, Sainikbasti, Kaski, Nepal.
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