Shree Kumar Maharjan: Community Seed and Information Resource Center (CSIRC) for improved access to seeds and information to enhance climate change resiliency in Tasarpu VDC, Dhading district: a case of LAPA piloting

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LAPA Interventions: Community Seed and Information Resource Center (CSIRC) for improved access to seeds and information to enhance climate change resiliency in Tasarpu VDC, Dhading district.
Shree Kumar Maharjan and Prativa Sapkota, RIMS Nepal

Dhading is one of the highly vulnerable districts from climate change impacts especially drought and landslides. In spite of being very close to the capital city Kathmandu, accessibility of improved seeds, technology and information are the major hindrances that people are facing in this district. Despite the challenges local farmers are facing, they are contributing in fulfilling the increased demands of agricultural products in Kathmandu valley which cannot be overlooked.
Tasarpu is one of the VDCs of Dhading district, dominated by Tamang Community. Ethnic community being highly dependent on climate sensitive sector for their sustenance such as agriculture and seasonal labor migration, their livelihoods has been badly affected by the climatic variation in this VDC. At the same time, farmers do not easily get the quality seeds and reliable information sources regarding agriculture and climate change. In order to address the drought that people are facing in Tasarpu VDC, District Development Committee (DDC) has already initiated to support by constructing water harvesting tanks at household and community level. Realizing the need of improved accessibility of farmers to seeds and relevant information, RIMS Nepal decided to pilot community seed and information resource center (CSIRC) in Tasarpu VDC as a means to increase local farmer’s adaptive capacity under Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) program in collaboration with Village Development Committee (VDC), Tasarpu and local community.
With the aim of expanding agricultural development in participatory and decentralized approach in Tasarpu VDC, Agriculture Development Committee (ADC) has recently been formed with working guidelines under Local Self Government Act 2055. The committee is considered as an entry point for research and development interventions in agriculture sector, which is chaired by VDC Secretary at the moment and will be replaced by VDC chairperson when elected. The same committee has been taken as the entry point for establishing and implementing CSIRC. LAPA program of RIMS Nepal has agreed and provided technical and financial support for the establishment of CSIRC at Tasarpu ADC and Tasarpu VDC have taken up the responsibility to operate, manage, seek additional fund from VDC and integrate it to VDC planning process having needed support from development NGOS including RIMS-Nepal. CSIRC has now been opened for community since 4th November, 2010 after being inaugurated by Program Officer, DDC. Main purpose of the CSIRC is to enhance the farmer’s accessibility to improved seeds and information regarding climate change and sustainable agricultural systems and practices.
Before formally establishing the CSIRC, we (LAPA team) conducted series of meetings and also provided orientations on agriculture and climate change to the board members of ADC, representatives from other NGOs working in the VDC and farming communities in Tasarpu VDC. Meetings were mainly focused on sensitizing community about climate change impacts, Local Adaptation Plan of Actions (LAPA), purpose of Community Seed and Information Resource Center (CSIRC) and identifying climate vulnerable hotspots and households within VDC. During the meeting, executive committee for CSIRC has been formed and a working guideline has also been prepared and roles and responsibility of the committee has been defined. The guideline includes the provision of subsidies and incentives to be provided to 158 households identified as poor and vulnerable farmers so as to encourage their accessibility to improved seeds. A regular staff has been appointed to run the CSIRC. Several other initiatives have also been taken for the sustainability of CSIRC, including preparation of business plan, negotiation with Agriculture information and communication centre so as to mainstream CSIRC into national agriculture network such as Telecenter. Moreover, local institutions including VDC have been sensitized about mainstreaming of CSIRC into local planning process. Communities’ enthusiasm and positive feedback from VDC have further strengthened the scope of CSIRC in Tasarpu VDC.
A self-motivated person with strong leadership, great communication and computer skills and a track record of executing programs proficiently to exceed organizational and operational goals. Always prefer to be highly professional and efficient leader in the field of international development and portfolio management to resolve the issues and concerns of poor, marginalized and indigenous peoples through consolidated efforts and innovative work techniques

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