Title: Rehabilitation of marginal and uplands of Jhapa District Gauradaha VDC through introduction of profitable and eco-friendly legume-based

technology.

Lead Institutions: Women and Environment Council (WEC)

Duration of the Project : One year ( 2010/2011)

Target area: Marginal and upland area of Gauradaha VDC, Jhapa district.

Project Summary
The livelihoods of millions of rural people of the Dry and Intermediate Jhapa District have been affected due to frequent drought, continuous soil
erosion, and ever increasing high input costs. This has led to low productivity and sometimes abandonment of agricultural lands. In order to alleviate
poverty and ensure food and ecological security, it is essential to increases food production in such fragile environments and repair these natural habitats
and eco-systems. To achieve this it is proposed to introduce high value legume crops which can be grown with less inputs and produce protein-rich food
and forage, particularly pigeon pea (Cajuns Cajon(L) Mill spout). Pigeon pea is fortified with several unique features that allow it to thrive in harsh eco-
systems. It not only provides high protein food, fodder, but also enriches soil and conserves nutrients and moisture. Hence, pigeon pea is likely to
contribute to the overall economic development of marginal dry land area of Jhapa district.
In general the marginal and wastelands are not expected to provide high economic returns. Through this project our attempt is not only to generate
income but also rejuvenate these lands and make them suitable for the cultivation of other high value food crops. This project will undertake programs to
train scientists, technicians and farmers for cultivating, utilizing and marketing of the legume. Beside seeds, the pigeon pea crop will also be used to raise
livestock on its nutritive fodder, grown under a short perennial system.
The local consumption of pigeon pea in rural areas will be encouraged and opportunities for export will also be investigated. This project will identify
developmental pathways for the long-term environment and food security. It will lead to a sustainable, eco-friendly and cost-effective agriculture. The
probability of adoption of this technology by resource poor farmers appears to be high. The direct beneficiaries of the project, therefore, will be
smallholder resource poor men and women farmers of Jhapa district.

Keywords
Legumes, pigeon pea, waste and marginal lands, eco-friendly management, livestock, soil amelioration, high protein food and fodder, sustainability.

Background information
From nutritional view point, vegetable proteins play an important role specially in rural areas which house over 70% of the population in the country.
The major share of these proteins comes from legumes and they are an integral part of Tarai dry up land area of Jhapa District. Therefore, the total
legume production (approximately 2500 tones) falls short of the annual requirements. To meet this deficit it over 4000 tones of legumes are imported
annually. The Department of Agriculture, therefore, places a high priority to the promotion of legume crops in Nepal. It is estimated that over 10000 of
marginal up land cultivable lands are available in the country and improve the food legume production such lands can be brought under cultivation. This
would be possible only if suitable crops such as pigeon pea, capable of with standing vagaries of harsh environments are introduced.
Traditionally, pigeon pea is cultivated over a wide range of tropical and subtropical climate and plays an important role in sustainable agriculture in rain
fed farming systems. Besides producing high protein grain, pigeon pea also improves the nutritional and physical structure of soil. The deep root system
of the crop helps to recycle nutrients from deeper layers to the upper soils strata. The fallen leaf mass of pigeon pea significantly contributes to valuable
organic matter build-up in the degraded soils.

Besides introducing pigeon pea in the degraded soil in the main hot season, some additional production niches such as hot season paddy fallows,
abandoned and young plantations will also be explored. At present in Nepal there are about 20000 up land, which are left fallow in hot season due to
non-availability of tank water and pigeon pea can be grown successfully on the residual moisture and fertility. This crop, therefore, has from,
tremendous scope in up land fallows and besides providing food it will also generate employment during this otherwise idle season. Pigeon pea is also
known to produce about 10-15 ton per ha of quality fodder which contains about 20% protein. As a fuel wood plant, pigeon pea yields about 20 tons per
ha of dry stem which can provide energy @ 4000 K cal per kg wood. In dry environments pigeon pea can cover the bare land within six months and thus
protects soil from erosion.

The ability of pigeon pea in augmenting soil and farming environments has been successfully demonstrated through a similar initiative in the eroded.
This stands as an indicator of the success of this efforts. Pigeon pea is capable of fulfilling various social, nutritional, economical and environmental
needs of the farming community and hence it is expected to pave the way for the agricultural prosperity in dry marginal up lands of Nepal.

Project Goal

The overall goal of this project is to improve the livelihoods of poor Nepal dry marginal up land farmers through increasing crop and animal productivity
and conserving environment.

Objectives
 To meet the protein requirements of poor dry up land marginal farmers with locally produced plant and animal products at competitive prices.
 To produce large quantities of pigeon pea in the dry and up land zone and link the production with processing and marketing.
  To improve marginal up lands in Tarai areas by arresting soil erosion and improving their fertility and structure through growing perennial pigeon
pea and integrating it with fodder production.
 To develop a crop-livestock based sustainable production systems and develop additional income generating options with active participation of men
and women farmers.

Expected Outputs
 Production niches for pigeon pea cultivation in Nepal (Jhapa) identified
 Pigeon pea varieties suitable for food, fodder and soil conservation for each target area identified.
 On-farm demonstrations for food , fodder and soil conservation with farmers participation conducted.
 Information on major production and utilization constraints generated.
 Suitable crop management package for different production systems such as sol crop, inter-crop, fodder production, and mini agro-forestry
developed.
 Areas for the long-term implementation of pigeon pea production program for sustainable development of farming systems identified.
 Information on local consumption for food and forage and potential export of pigeon pea seed or its processed split peas generated.
 Information on local consumption for food and forage and potential export of pigeon pea seed or its processed split peas generated.
 Nepal extension staff, and farmers trained in pigeon pea production and utilization technology.

Stakeholders and Scope

Through this pilot project we plan to undertake pigeon pea production in two major agro-ecological regions;
(a) As a sole crop in Jhapa District Gauradaha VDC's upland dry zone
(b) As sole or abandoned intercrop in and young plantations. Dry land, upland Jhapa district farmers, NGOs, Seed companies, livestock cooperatives are
the main stakeholders.

Uptake pathways

 Introduction of seed materials for Jhapa district.

 Identification of location for dry seed crop, forage crop, and mini agro-forestry activities.
 Farmers' participation and local human resource development.
 Demonstration of crop production technology
 Seed multiplication of adapted lines
 Extension of technology to new areas.
 Value addition and encourage local consumption.
  Feeding pigeon pea forage to cattle, sheep and goats.
 Development of effective marketing channels.
 Limited in-country back-up research

Expected impact on Livelihoods and Poverty Alleviation

 Farmers start generating income from their marginal lands through crop and livestock production
 Pigeon pea varieties are grown in marginal uplands and East tarai fallows.
 A sound seed production system in operation.
 Farmers start consuming locally produced pigeon pea.
 Split peas are available in rural and urban markets.

Monitoring and Evaluation

A close monitoring of production constraints, growth patterns and marketing will be essential and it will be performed jointly by the scientists of and
the donor agency. The local scientists and technicians will be trained in monitoring of major stresses affecting the crop. Also the acceptability and
utility of pigeon pea fodder in Nepal will be evaluated. Periodical reports as required by the donor will be submitted.

Project Area

Most of pigeon pea developmental activities will be carried out in the dry and marginal East tarai up land areas of Jhapa district. The target areas will be
rained uplands and East tarai fallows in Jhapa district, Gauradaha VDC, Mechi Zone Nepal.

Project implementation

The project will be managed and implemented by WEC and Gauradaha VDC and prominent co-operatives, NGOs and seed agencies. Work plan for each
season will be prepared jointly and will train local staff to implement the project activities effectively. The WEC staff will deal with aspects related to
field supervision, seed distribution to identified growers, monitoring of crop and dissemination of information. Appropriate sites and cultivars will be
selected for evaluation in consultation with Gauradaha VDC, and local farming communities using a participatory approach. Training and awareness
activities in pigeon pea production and utilization technologies will also be organized for the Nepali farmers. The project staff will be responsible for
coordinating various activates and writing project reports.
Major Activities

 Organize stakeholders workshop to identify short-and long term interventions taking into account existing and potential a biotic, biotic, socio-
economic, policy, infrastructural and marketing constraints for promoting pigeon pea.
 Identification of pigeon pea growing areas in consultation with district and VDC authorities and participatory farmers.
 Identify pigeon pea cultivars for different agro-ecological zones
 Promote pigeon pea as a fodder crop through stall feeding and grazing
 Initiate on-station\on-farm trials on agronomy and integrated pest management
 Promote local level pigeon pea seed production by training selected farmer in each location.
 Introduce appropriate small-scale processing machinery.
 Organize farmers’ field days (first-during the crop season and second at harvest at pilot locations.
 Organize in district annual planning and review meetings, training programs for field at staff and farmers in crop production, small-scale processing,
and utilization.
 Prepare appropriate pigeon pea literature/audio-visual aids on cultivars, small-scale processing, and utilization in local Nepali language for
distribution among farmers and broadcast by electronic media.
 Arrange for training technicians and the farmers.
Financial information
Tentative budget estimates:
s. Post No Salary Organizat Local Unesco Total Remarks
n . (NRs. per ioon peoples Contribut (NRs.)
mon.) contribut Contribut e
e e (Request
25% 10% Amount)

A. Staffs Budget:
1 Team Full time
leader (Master
1 2)000/-x2 60000/- x 180000/- 240000/- degree in
Agriculture
science)
2 Project Full time
coordinato (Master
15000/-
r 1 45000/- x 135000/- 180000/- degree
x12
In social
science
3 Field
10000/- Bachelor
coordinato 1 30000/- x 90000/- 120000/-
x12 degree
r
4 Assistant 7500/-
2 45000/- x 135000/- 180000/- SLC pass
staff x12x2
 Total (A) 180000/- x 540000/- 720000/-

B. Program Budget:
1 Seeds backup x 50000/- 20000/-
130000/- 200000/-
2 Research x 50000/- 20000/-
backup 130000/- 200000/-
3 Demonstration x 62500/- 25000/-
162500/- 250000/-
4 Training x 37500/- 15000/-
97500/- 150000/-
5 Annual x
planning,
review meeting, 25000/- x 75000/- 100000/-
monitoring and
supervision
6 Report witting x 12500/- x 37500/-
50000/-
Total (B) 237500/- 80000/- 632500/-
950000/-

C. Procurement budget
1 Seeds and x
processing 50000/- 20000/- 130000/- 200000/-
equipment.
2 Vehicle (motor x
37500/- x 112500/- 150000/-
bike)
Total (C) 87500/- 20000/- 242500/- 350000/-

D. Miscellaneous
1 Stationeries x 6250/- x 18750/- 25000/-
2 Fuels x 6250/- x 18750/- 25000/-
3 Travel (TADA) x 25000/- x 75000/- 100000/-
4 Communication x 4165/- x 12495/- 16660/-
Total (D) 41665/- x 124995/- 166660/-

Grand Total (A+B+C+D) 546665/- 100000/- 1539995/- 2186660/-

US $ 1 = 77:00 Nepali Rupees.

Total cost of the project : Twenty one Lac Eighty six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty only

Organization Contribute 25% : Five Lac Forty Six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Five only

Local Peoples Contribute 10% : One Lac only

UNESCO Contribute ( Request Amount) : Fifteen Lac Thirty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Five only.
Attachment 1: Logical Framework
Project Title: Rehabilitation of marginal and upland of Jhapa district, Gauradaha VDC, through introduction of profitable and eco-friendly
legume-base technology
Leading implementing institutions Women and Environment Council
Narrative Summary Verifiable Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions and Risk
Goal:  Productivity in the rain fed  Government  VDC and district
The overall goal of this project is to improve the uplands increased reports. agencies committed
livelihoods of poor Jhapa District dry land  Farmers’ income enhanced.  Project reports to increased fond and
farmers through increasing crop and animal  Increased fertility or  Impact assessment livestock production
productivity and conserving environment. marginal lands. report. and conserving
Outputs:  Reduced risk of crop failure environment.
 Production niches for pigeon pea due to various stresses.
cultivation identified.  Adoption of improved  Government  Unpredictable natural
 Pigeon pea varieties suitable for food, production and utilization reports. disasters.
fodder and soil conservation for each target packages.  Research reports.  Non-cooperation of
area identified.  Varieties for different agro  Reports of review local agencies.
 On-farm demonstrations for food, fodder, ecological area and meetings.  Government’s comm-
and soil conservation with farmers production system identified.  Availability of itment at districts and
participation conducted.  Development of effective pigeon pea in local VDC levels.
 Information on major production and processing and marketing markets.  Effective seed
utilization constraints generated. channels for pigeon pea.  Interviews with production program
 Suitable crop management package for  Trained local staff available. farmers. will operate
different production system developed.  At the end of the project,  Processing &
 Areas for the long-term implementation of about 100 Biggha of uplands, marketing channels
pigeon pea production program for fallows and eroded lands will operate.
sustainable development of farming brought under pigeon pea  Technical support
systems identified. cultivation. from National
 Information for local consumption for food Agricultural Research
and forage and potential exports of pigeon Council (NARC) will
pea seed or its processed split peas be requested.
generated.
 Nepal extension staff and farmers trained in
 production and utilization technology.
Activities:
 Organize stakeholders workshop to identify  Production established.  VDC district  Normal conditions for
short and long term interventions taking  Socio economical adoption reports. travelling to different
into account existing and potential a biotic constraints analysed  Reports of review sites exist.
biotic, socio-economic, policy and  A cluster-demonstration meetings.  Crop damage by other
marketing constraints for promoting pigeon approach followed.  Availability of wild animals.
pea.  Small-scale dehullers for pigeon pea in local  Local support,
 Identify pigeon pea growing areas. domestic use available. markets. unfavourable
 Identify pigeon pea cultivars for adaptation  Medium-scale processing  Interview with environment.
in different agro-ecological zones. facilities improved. farmers.  Availability of live
 Promote pigeon pea as a fodder crop  Improved extension  Livestock prefer stocks.
through stall feeding or grazing. messages prepared. pigeon pea fodder  Local interest.
 Initiate on–station/on-farm trails on  Working Group Meetings,  Agronomic package  Availability of funds.
agronomy and integrated pest management. training programs etc. available.  Adequately pest
 Promote local level pigeon pea seed conducted.  Value added control is practiced.
production by training selected farmers in products available.
each location.  Training
 Introduce small-scale processing documents.
machinery.  Seed of promising
 Organize farmer’ field days at pilot lines available.
locations.
 Organize in-country annual planning and
review meetings, training programs for
field staff and farmers in crop production,
small-scale processing, and utilization
Attachment 1: Work plan: Activities
Project Title: Rehabilitation of marginal and upland of Jhapa district, Gauradaha VDC, through introduction of profitable and eco-
friendly legume-base technology
Leading implementing institutions Women and Environment Council (EWC)
Project year Year 1
Calendar year 2009-10
Calendar month 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Project month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Organize █
stakeholders
workshop to identify
short and long term
interventions taking Index:-
into account existing
and potential a
biotic biotic, socio- :- Annual
economic, policy meeting
and marketing duration
constraints for :- Training
promoting pigeon duration
pea.
:- Annual
Identify pigeon pea █ █ review
growing areas. meeting
duration
Identify pigeon pea █ █ █
cultivars for :- Report
adaptation in
different agro- Writing and
economical zones submission.
Promote pigeon pea █ █ █ █ █ █
as a fodder crop
through stall feeding
or grazing.

Initiate on – █ █ █
station/on-farm
trails on agronomy
and integrated pest
management.
Promote local level █ █ █ █ █
pigeon pea seed
production by
training selected
farmers in each
location.

Introduce small- █
scale processing
machinery.
Organize farmer’ █
field days at pilot
locations.
Organize in-country █ █
annual planning and █