Nearly 80 percent of Nepal’s people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Historically, low-value crops such as rice, wheat, and maize have dominated Nepal’s agriculture. Weak export demand for these commodities has kept profit margins low. Although Nepal has the potential to produce large quantities of high-value commodities, most imports are from neighboring countries, resulting in an unfavorable trade balance and sluggish economic growth.

This $3.6 million project focused on four areas: promoting market growth, improving technology and agricultural extension services, building capacity for agricultural planning and policy reform, and enhancing the nutritional value of rural diets to combat a high incidence of night blindness among pregnant women.

The program also helped farmers establish rural markets and forge agreements with traders for seed production and marketing. The farmers were taught how to expand and reinforce market linkages to help ensure sustainability. As production increased, families learned how to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into their diets, especially foods rich in vitamin A, and to observe better sanitation and hygiene practices.