Facilitator’s Workshop on Preparation of Agroforestry Plan for Cooperatives

Introduction

Under the technical assistance of UN-REDD/FAO, ICIMOD has been working towards implementing the DRAP for Chitwan in Nepal, which was developed and endorsed in 2016. As part of this arrangement, one of the objectives is to propose a detailed work plan for agroforestry cooperative network establishment in Chitwan district. ICIMOD intends to support selected cooperatives from Chitwan district develop an agro-forestry implementation plan. A baseline study of the cooperatives was first conducted in January 2017.

As of now, eight hotspots have been identified for the implementation of Chitwan’s DRAP. Four hotspots, namely Shaktikhaur, Padampur, Piple and Korak, have been selected. Each hotspot will have one cooperative promoting and preparing an agro-forestry plan. For this purpose, a baseline study was conducted in the four hotspots. Cooperatives from each hotspot were visited, and baseline information of the cooperatives were discussed and collected. The second phase of the programme was an orientation activity which aimed to sensitize the members of the selected cooperative about the importance of agroforestry and the need for a business plan to implement agroforestry in their activities.

The orientation programme – which was attended by 15-20 members from each cooperative – was moderated by Bishwa Raj Karki. Trishna Singh Bhandari from ICIMOD introduced the concept of REDD and DRAP to the participants, and spoke about the incorporation of the agroforestry plan for the betterment of forest areas in the four hotspots. Karki, on the other hand, briefed the participants about the process of making a business plan for cooperatives and the importance of the same.

The programme helped sensitize cooperative members on the importance of agroforestry, and the need of a business plan in initiating agroforestry related activities through their respective cooperatives. The visit also helped list out five participants from each cooperative for this workshop.

Objectives

The main objective of this workshop is to assist cooperative members in the preparation of individual agroforestry strategy plans for each of the cooperatives.

Expected outcomes

By the end of the workshop, the participating cooperative members will become well-versed in the procedural techniques related to the development and implementation of the agroforestry strategy.