Samarth – Nepal Market Development Programme Construction of Community Food and Seed Grain Storage Banks In Lamjung, Tanahun and Makwanpur

Project Duration: January 2016 – Ongoing.

The purpose of the Activity is to construct up to 15 grain banks across the districts to safeguard grain held by households for food and/or seed. These community storage banks could also relate to potato depending on the location of communities chosen. The banks should be in accordance with Government Requirements. Suggested modifications to the design, based on local requirements, are welcomed however, any modification would need to be approved by Government before implementation.

  1. The preparation of a detailed implementation plan, including workplan and budget for the Activity.
  2. The implementation of the Activity including facilitating access to land and overseeing the construction of the community grain banks.
  3. Together with the selected communities, development of governance arrangements for each bank to ensure that management of the grain storage is fully managed and overseen by the community on a sustainable basis, including operational and maintenance arrangements.
  4. Detailed monitoring and reporting on the Activity.

The activity design and implementation should be tailored to meet the (often differing) needs of local communities within the selected districts. The Activity should be implemented alongside each of the 15 communities to ensure full community ownership of the process. The Activity should also prioritise the involvement of the local market, wherever possible, including the use of local goods, services and labour in each of the three districts.

In Nepal, individual and conventional seed storage houses have been in practice for quite a long time however the objectives of construction of community Seed and Food Grain Storage Banks are mentioned as below:

-Earthquake affected communities will be able to safeguard seed (including potato) and food grain while individual houses were almost damaged.

-Ensure food security to the poor people during lean periods and help to break the trap of debt and bondage to moneylenders.

-Small and marginal farmers can borrow food grain to meet immediate consumption needs.

The excess stocks can be used to meet community priorities or sales.