Project Summary

Project Title: Capacity Building for Local Governance and agricultural Growth Project
Funding Partner: WINROCK, Simi Sewa
Document Source: projectsummary10.pdf

Overview & Implementation Details

Project Name: Capacity Building for Local Governance and agricultural Growth Project
Funding Partner: WINROCK, Simi Sewa
Start date: November 2007
End date: September 2008
Project Location: Rupandehi and Palpa districts

Detailed Narrative Description of the Project:
Objectives

To improve service delivery of government line agencies.

To develop governance capacity of both government agencies and farmers to
address conflict.

The special SIMI Service Program is being implemented by Winrock International, IDE
(international Development Enterprises), and IGD (Institute of Governance and Development).
Support will also be provided by SIMI. The full program will be implemented in Palpa and
Rupendehi districts. In Kaski, Nwalparasi, and Tanahun the income generation program will be
implemented on a smaller scale with the DADO as it is currently being implemented through SIMI.

6.7
Working Approach/ Modality

Shared and goal-oriented partnership (GO-NGO-CBOs and support agencies)

Provision of inputs and services through existing institutions/agencies

Focus on strengthening the capacity of government institutions

Working on both sides of governance-supply and demand side institutions

Conflict Reconciliation and Reduction in Nepal (CRRN) popularly named as "Semi Service
Program (SIMI Sewa Karyakram) is a two-year project on (a) improving service delivery of
government line agencies (b) developing governance capacity of both government agencies and
farmers to address conflict. Nepal SIMI (2003 to present) has developed a highly successful
approach to increase incomes from vegetable production through micro irrigation. (Micro
irrigation promoted by SIMI includes locally manufactured drip systems, sprinkler systems, and
low cost water storage for the hills and the treadle pump for the terai). SIMI has facilitated 42000
households (benefiting over 250000 people) in 11 districts to adopt micro irrigation and has
increased annual SIMI HH income by over Rs. 14000. SIMI takes a value-chain and public
private partnership (PPP) approach (A value-chain approach emphasizes building the capacity of
service providers (agrovets, equipment dealers, vegetable traders, cooperatives, and others) to
embed training services with the sale of appropriate inputs and the purchase of outputs. The
value-chain approach is highly cost effective; the benefit-cost ratio for Nepal SIMI is 8 to 1 for
income generation). SIMI is implemented in close coordination with government through an
advisory body chaired by MOAC and through close partnership at the district level. The SIMI

approach has been widely recognized by government, donors, and communities as highly
effective in increasing the incomes and the satisfaction of poor farmers. For this reason, a special
pilot SIMI Service Program (2006-2008) is being initiated in partnership with government and
UNDP DLGSP (The Decentralized Local Government Support Project (DLGSP) is a UNDP
funded program to improve local governance and promote the conditions needed for rapid
economic development in rural Nepal).
Detailed Description of the Actual Services provided
 An exemplary case of Go-NGO-PO participation and consortium building.
 Line agencies activated and oriented to deliver services and comply with values of
governance.
 1000 local farmers' groups trained and capacitated to engage with line agencies to demand
services from public service providers.
 100 Farmers Planning & Marketing Committees trained on value chain approach and group
governance practices.
 Good governance practices recognized to deliver development and gain legitimacy of the
development system.
 The management capacity of farmer, business, and civil society increased.
 Capacity of local organizations to realistically advocate for agricultural development
programs created.
 Capacity of local organizations to mobilize resources for agricultural development
developed.
 ToT trainings on social mobilization, group strengthening, and advocacy capacity to line
agencies imparted.

Significance & Legacy

This project contributed directly to IGD's institutional knowledge base and helped establish long-term networks among local communities, civic leaders, and government stakeholders.