Status of Agricultural Support Services Provided by Gos and I/Ngos: A Case of Salyan District, Nepal

Abstract

This thesis entitled “Status of Agricultural Support Services Provided by GOs and I/NGOs" was conducted in Salyan District. This study assesses on status of agricultural support services provided by GOs and I/NGOs. The study was conducted in Sharada municipality of Salyan district of Nepal. Aim of this study is to know the delivery mechanism and challenges of agriculture support services to farmers.

Organizational mapping, key informant interviews, focused group discussions and household survey through questionnaires are the major methodologies for the study. Case study is also presented which can be replicated as best practiced in other areas. In the study best practices on agricultural support services, key issues and strategies for strengthening the existing agricultural support services are discussed in key informant interviews. As farmers joined the agriculture group with the purpose of getting credits, incentives such as seed extension services such as trainings. Farmers were found to get social as well as economic benefits from the group such as sharing ideas, acquiring new knowledge and increasing family income.

Focused group discussions with three farmers groups suggested that there is a need of demand driven projects rather than donor driven projects from I/NGOs. Findings from farmers groups also suggested need of community driven projects to increase the ownership and sustainable development. Those farmers participated in FGDs were more satisfied from the support services from DADO as compared to I/NGOs. FGDs participants suggested to I/NGOs focusing on not to scattered that much in terms of their activities, proper exit strategies and post implementation related activities.

Similarly, beneficiaries’ household questionnaire interviews with the 48 farmers suggested that 70.83 % of them are receiving the services from both DADO and I/NGOs also 70.83 % of them mentioned that they are receiving similar kind of services. While 60.41 % respondents mentioned that the type of support services hasn’t been improved over last five years.91.66 % of respondents mentioned there is no any follow up from I/NGOs after termination of projects. Moreover, the study findings showed overall agriculture support services in the district were not adequate, duplication as well as overlapping is dominating that’s why support services should be reformed to strengthen the small and marginal farmers. This study suggests that Planning of activities for I/NGOs program should be based on demand driven rather than donor approach. This study emphasizes for creating collaborative and matching funds from related stakeholders to make support services effective and efficient through synergy. The government and the affiliated organizations should focus on policymaking, guidance, effective and efficient monitoring so that services extended by the private sector and NGOs can better reach the social optimum. From I/NGOs side focusing on the post implementation related activities proper exit strategies and hand over of schemes as well as programs to GOs after the termination of programs should be prioritized.