1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - Nepal

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

iDE Nepal (iDE Nepal) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/03/2013

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Discussions and structured interactions between farmers and the different actors involved throughout the market chain can help to stimulate joint innovations based on shared ideas and mutual trust.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Most Nepalese rural smallholder landowners are subsistence farmers; when they attempt to produce high value crops such as vegetables for income generation they are often disappointed because they end up selling their produce at local markets for marginal profits. They mostly work alone and, for the most part, their efforts are poorly rewarded, since every step of the value chain is either unmanaged, badly structured, or otherwise uncoordinated. A first step towards addressing the myriad challenges and special needs faced by these smallholder farmers can be to use an adapted version of the participatory market chain approach (PMCA). This approach can help them to improve their livelihoods by building their capacity and assisting them to coordinate and form linkages with other smallholder producers and actors all along the market chain.

Methods: The participatory market chain approach uses the tools of rapid market assessment, focus group discussions, stakeholder interviews, and interaction workshops to help identify the constraints and opportunities faced by each of the different actors in the market chain. This approach uses a set of guidelines to help achieve well-defined objectives at specific points as the programme is implemented.

Stages of implementation: Overall, the long-term objective of the PMCA is to help alleviate the poverty of smallholder producers by introducing market chain innovations, and in particular participation and collaboration among the different market chain actors. Once a given set of conditions is found to work, they can benefit a larger number of farmers if the findings are documented and disseminated among organizations and agencies who share the same goals.
The PMCA approach is executed in three phases:
Phase 1: The different actors along the market chain get to know each other. They analyse their situation with the help of market chain sketch tools. By the end of Phase 1, they form a thematic group.
Phase 2: The group analyses potential business opportunities by using a variety of tools such as: rapid market appraisal, quantitative market survey/study, and focus group discussions.
Phase 3: They put into practice the work plan that they have devised to implement the proposed innovations and continue to work on ideas for commercially viable products using the market concept and business plan development tools.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on other activities than SLM (marketing of agricultural commodities)

• Develop collection centres at the local level
• Strengthen linkages with the concerned development agencies, service providers, and related market chain actors
• Help smallholder farmers to work with a market-led production plan
• Summarize and share the information gathered with the concerned development organizations in order to scale up the approach
• Develop an action plan based on discussions held with thematic group members and market chain actors

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: • At the local level, the markets are poorly structured and poorly managed; there is a lack of systematic marketing for agricultural commodities.
• There is little knowledge of post-harvest processing which would add value to agricultural produce.
• The links and coordination between service providers, market actors, and stakeholders are poor.
• There is insufficient knowledge of institutional development and of the import role it plays in getting products to market.
• Smallholder farmers do not have access to pricing information.
• Distrust and misunderstanding prevail at every step along the market chain.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	Public meetings, focus group discussions, interviews, market surveys and rapid market assessments, impact filters
planning	self-mobilization	Market constraints and opportunities are identified; actors throughout the market chain and members of thematic groups develop future plans based on their assessment of the business potential for local products and services.
implementation	self-mobilization	The PMCA is implemented through the Marketing Planning Committee and collection centres by various actors from throughout the market chain and members of the various thematic groups; skilled staff from the R&D organization helps with facilitation.
monitoring/ evaluation	self-mobilization	Members of the various thematic groups and the MPC jointly monitor and evaluate plans and achievements on a regular basis.
Research	interactive	The approach is applied by the thematic groups. R&D organizations help these groups to analyse both quantitative and qualitative information.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

Initially, the choice of the PMCA approach was made by national and international specialists in consultation with local people. It was first offered by a research and development organization, but as everyone came to see how valuable it was, it was eventually taken on by local people and is now offered by various groups to everyone throughout the market chain.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by SLM specialists with consultation of land users

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings
• courses

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: Training and workshop; Key elements: a market-led production plan, technical training for the thematic groups and regular monitoring of land users' fields, facilitation of joint programme planning and implementation.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

Give further details:

The groups that were given market-centred training, and technical training on high value vegetable production and post harvest processing. Participants included members of village development committees, local governance and community development programmes (LCGDP), community forest users' groups, youth clubs, and women's groups.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

technical aspects were monitored through observations; indicators: Commercial production and collective marketing

socio-cultural aspects were monitored through observations; indicators: This approach increased their bargaining power and made them aware of current market prices for their high-value products.

economic / production aspects were monitored through observations; indicators: Market-led production and the application of post harvest processing techniques

area treated aspects were monitored through observations; indicators: The Marketing Planning Committee surveyed the area.

no. of land users involved aspects were monitored through observations; indicators: Some 200–750 farmers were involved in the Market Planning Committee and the collection centre.

management of Approach aspects were monitored through observations; indicators: Various actors from all along the market chain participated; regular observations were made and training was given to facilitate the implementation of innovative activities.

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: The focus was on the collective marketing of smallholder farmers' vegetable produce. These farmers now work towards market-led production through regular meetings and trainings; they market collectively, and have better post-harvest processing. It is helping to empower women and members of disadvantaged groups and to improve their livelihoods.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

This approach is the result of research which took place in Peru and Uganda. It has been adapted to the vegetable sub- sector in Nepal by IDE Nepal in collaboration with local NGOs. Both the government of Nepal and other local NGOs are in the process of adopting and piloting what was learned.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 2,000-10,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: international non-government: 60.0%; private sector: 10.0%; local government (district, county, municipality, village etc): 10.0%; local community / land user(s): 20.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

Comments:

The project demonstrated new agricultural technologies only once; after that, the various groups adopted new technologies at their own cost.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The approach can be replicated without external support. Once a core group of smallholder farmers understands the approach, they can pass on the know-how to others through regular meetings and other vehicles. The establishment of the collection centre is an activity that should yield benefits for a long time to come.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Everyone along the market chain is involved in making decisions about the choice of high value crops and their marketing. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: It is important to continue the regular meetings in order to assure the continued success of the present activities and to introduce innovations.)
The PMCA has proven that it can be a valuable tool for all stakeholders along the market chain to help them design and implement programmes. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Lobby the government and other agencies to replicate the PMCA in other areas and agencies.)
The approach helped to build relationships and trust among the market chain actors and it led to increased vegetable production and increased earnings for farmers. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Upgrading the market planning committee to a cooperative would help to generate more resources from the members.)
Farmers sell their produce through the collection centre in a collective marketing approach. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: If this approach is documented and disseminated, other areas of the country can learn from it and replicate it.)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Smallholder farmers cannot always produce enough high value crops to sell profitably; it can be a challenge to transport crops to the collection centre.	Farmers need time and support in order to learn how to adopt commercial farming methods and how to market their produce collectively
When only smallholder farmers are involved, the meetings of the thematic groups can be sporadic.	Need to involve commercial farmers in the thematic groups.
The PMCA process has not been well documented for replication.	Clear documentation is necessary so that the results can be replicated in other areas.
Smallholder farmers often do not have the means to implement innovations.	Provide some seed money for thematic groups; development organizations who plan to implement the PMCA approach can provide this.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Participatory market chain approach (PMCA): user guide (unpublished). Kathmandu, Nepal: IDE Nepal, RIU Project, Thomas, T; Graham, T; Thomas, Z (no date)