Dr. A.C Luke¹

Abstract

Smallholder irrigation market initiative (SIMI) is taking a business development services (BDS) approach to linking smallholder vegetable producers to technologies and markets. SIMI builds and strengthens private sector manufacturers of micro irrigation equipment, dealers and installers, agro-input suppliers, and output marketers. SIMI efforts provide the initial support to adapt technologies to local circumstances, identify and disseminate suitable productivity packages, popularize micro irrigation, build market linkages, and build linkages to national extension and research systems and the agricultural development community. SIMI sustainability is based on the profitable returns to farmers and the enterprises providing the farmers with services.

SIMI is working in seven districts of the west and Midwestern development regions (Kapilvastu, Palpa, Syangja, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya and Surkhet) The project has a central office in Kathmandu, two regional offices (Butwal and Nepalganj) and five district offices.