1. Value Added Products in Nepal: Creating Markets, Increasing Access, and Improving Farming Practices
Issue
Smallholder farmers in the Helambu region of Nepal will produce their first harvest of apples and kiwis. Since the first crops will be too tart, they will be turned into value added products to be sold in local markets.
Research
Intercropping
Transportation
Visibility
Knowledge Transfer
Background
Farmers in the Helambu region lack diverse sources of income to overcome food security issues. Aythos, a Nepalese development organization, trained farmers and helped them plant apple and kiwi trees to develop a more diverse source of income. Apples are common in Nepal and will produce a steady stream of income for farmers after the first harvest. Kiwi is uncommon and will be used as an intercrop to generate income between apple harvests.
References
Statistical Information on Nepalese Agriculture
Aythos
Training Manual for Combating Citrus Decline Problem in Nepal
Nepal Country Programming Framework
Output
Apple and kiwi harvest
Best Practices Farming Manual
Reliable transportation network
Cookbook
Market entrance
Outcome
Produce more income for farmers
Second harvest will produce higher yields due to greater access to information
Increased access to markets in Kathmandu
Recipes for value added products that can be sold at the market
Increased visibility of value added products through sale at market, hotels, and restaurants
Impact
Improved livelihood for farmers through apple farming and intercropping kiwi