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In the western mid-hill districts of Nepal, women have joined forces to form seed-producer groups. With the shortage of high-quality seeds becoming a major problem, the government of Nepal and the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE) engaged in an informal seed multiplication system that teaches members of the seed-producer groups to produce good-quality seeds. These women of substance manage their multiple roles as housewives, mothers, and partners in farming and income generation.
hat men can do, women can do better, says Laxima Adhikari, president of the Harrabot Ladies Seed Producers Group in Nepals Lamjung District, of how their organization came to be. They wanted to prove that women are capable of producing high-quality seeds that can generate higher production and additional income. When I saw the men forming their group, accessing information and producing quality seeds, I thought we, too, can replicate their experience and benefit as well, she explains.
drought-, and submergence-prone rice environments and in upland areas where varying climatic conditions can lead to deeper poverty. In the three mid-hill Nepal districts of Lamjung, Tanahun, and Gorkha, CURE and its country partnerthe Institute of Animal and Agricultural Sciences facilitated the formation of seed-producer groups, provided training on seed production and extension, organized crosssite visits of farmers and extension workers, and supported farmers in acquiring the equipment they need to continue seed production. Women seed-producer groups and seed cooperatives in the three districts were established to ensure that seeds of improved rice varieties are widely available. This work is an example of how GRiSP brings together partners to increase impact.
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Women in motion
An elderly woman from the Mahjuwa Ladies Seed Producers Group welcomes visitors from the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments and the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science.
Women in motion
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