By Srijana Karki, World Neigbhors
In the US and other industrialized countries, efforts to improve agricultural output and productivity usually involve capital-intensive efforts. These include genetically modified seeds; large, technologically sophisticated machinery; robotic automation in meat processing plants, etc.
This level of investment is usually not possible in low-income countries. As important, it's not appropriate. Much farming is done by families or even single women, often in mountainous areas. Successful efforts to increase productivity and profit rely on the systematic application of small changes.
Changes like those made by goat and produce farmers in rural Nepal. These are primarily women, whose spouses travel to Gulf and other countries to find work.
Goats are an important source of meat and milk in Nepalese villages. Most goats are still raised in traditional ways. Under a program run by development organization World Neighbors and its local partners, farmers are trained to apply small, low- or no-cost innovations. These include separating goats by age and sex; planting and growing more nutritious fodder; using basic veterinary techniques to ensure health; and similar changes.
The result: Goats grow faster and weigh more at time of sale. This enables farmers to realize income more quickly and sell at a higher price.
To further increase income, farmers learn to use goat manure as organic fertilizer and urine as organic pesticide. These reduce costs in vegetable production, raising margins and income.
These initiatives are coupled with savings and credits groups. Farmers contribute small monthly amounts. When enough capital is accumulated, they take out small loans at no or very low interest to invest in additional goat pens, basic veterinary supplies, plastic tunnel greenhouses to extend produce growing season and other improvements to raise output, productivity and profit.
This program in rural, mountainous Nepal is an example of how making small changes that build on what communities already do can be a patch to higher incomes, wealth accumulation and sustainable development.
