Duration of Support: 01.2008 - 12.2010 Current Budget: CHF 4,600,000 Implementing Agencies: Helvetas and Intercooperation Partners: Ministry of Finance Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives National Planning Commission Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Agricultural Research Stations Agricultural Development Offices Local NGOs TUKI Association		Preparation of Bio-fertilizer

Collaboration with other SDC-funded Projects:
Hill Maize Research Project (HMRP)
Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project (NSCFP)
Vegetable Seed Project (CEAPRED)
District Road Support Programme (DRSP)

Office Location:
Kathmandu, Nepal

Project Working Area:
Baglung, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Dhading, Dolakha, Doti, Kavre, Myagdi, Okhaldunga, Sindhupalchowk, Surkhet, Syangja

Background

In Nepal, around 80% of the population derive their livelihood from agriculture. The rapid intensification of land use and reduced access to biomass from public land have created new challenges for farmers in the mid-hills. Rural poverty is widespread in this area and is closely related to soil degradation due to limited access of poor households to local and external soil supplements such as manure, biomass, and inorganic fertiliser. Compared to better-off farmers, poor households are characterised by smaller landholdings and a higher proportion of rainfed upland than irrigated lowland.

The Sustainable Soil Management Programme (SSMP), a joint undertaking by Helvetas and Intercooperation and financed  by SDC, was initiated in 1999. The programme promotes sustainable soil management techniques in rainfed-dominated farming systems across the mid-hills with priority given to more poverty-affected districts.

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