Nutrition in Mountain Agro-ecosystems (NMA)

Capacity Building Program of Rural Service providers (F2F1)

Training report

Rama Paudel

Lead Facilitator: Shakhnoza Kurbanalieva

Facilitators: Soma Rana

: Alok Shrestha

: Prakash Chandra Joshi

24-29 May, 2016

Surkhet, Nepal

Background

Nutrition in Mountain Agro-ecosystem (NMA) is sustainable agriculture based program

funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Global Programme Food security,

and implemented by the international federation and research institute of Organic Agriculture

with National Partners in 5 countries. HELVETAS Nepal is implementing this program in Nepal

since June 2015 to promote improved nutrition and resilience driven by an action network of

empowered Rural Service Providers (RSPs). Considering the working areas of HELVETAS

Swiss Inter cooperation Nepal, government’s prioritized and piloted areas, poverty and nutrition

status, ecological zone representation, there are 10 strategic (core) districts that are located in the

road corridor. There are 14 diffusion districts of the project, which are adjoining districts of

strategic areas and Nutrition Sensitive Interventions will be scaled up in these districts. NMA

supports in networking of RSPs and establishes technical platform that allows for exchange of

knowledge, information and communication. NMA provides RSPs the access to functional

knowledge, capacity building and coaching. As a part of Capacity building program of RSPs in

Nepal, 6 days face to face training was conducted from 24th

to 29th

May 2016 at Hotel Siddartha

Sunny Resort, Surkhet.31 RSPs ( 8 Female & 23 Male) and 2 HELVETAS staffs from that

region participated in training.

Objectives of training

Empower RSPs to replicate/scale innovation

Improve and develop the knowledge and skills of the selected RSPs, both practically and

theoretically

To nurture and further develop RSPs to become not only “possessors” of knowledge but “

multipliers” of knowledge through network

To ensure that RSPs help grow the global network of service providers, strengthening

their voice and their impact and ensuring that good and best practices

Inauguration session

Training was inaugurated with welcome speech from project coordinator Soma Rana.

National RSP facilitator, Alok Shrestha described the objectives of training. Formal introduction

among RSPs was done in pair. In this method, every RSP introduced their pair with their name,

organization and favorite food. To know the RSP’s expectation during the training, expectation

was collected with individual in Meta card and grouped accordingly (similar nature of

expectation). To maintain the learning environment, RSPs also set some norms for the training.

Figure 1: Soma Rana (National Project Coordinator welcoming RSPs in opening session

Figure 2: RSPs introducing their pair.

Session delivery

Overall schedule for 6 days training was prepared and sent to the RSPs. The training

covered the information about sustainable agriculture, nutrition situation in Nepal and its

importance, facilitation skills, facilitation in MAAN platform & preparation about the project

concept for micro-intervention. There was also an excursion visit in farmer’s field & also in

commercial farmer’s model farm. Different training methods were adopted in the training such

as lecture, group discussion, role play, visual presentation, fishbowl, world café etc. Day wise

activities are explained briefly below:

Day 1

How do we learn?

In this session, Lead facilitator Shaknoza explained about the art of participatory

learning with a group exercise of theory, action and reflection. This session was fruitful in

creating learning environment for participants.

Definition of Sustainable Agriculture:

In this session, theoretical knowledge was delivered about sustainable agriculture, agro-

ecology, organic farming, nutrition sensitive agriculture and four principle of organic agriculture.

RSPs discussed about their understating of sustainable agriculture through the participatory

method called Fish bowl.

Figure 3: Discussion about sustainable agriculture using Fish Bowl method.

My model agriculture farm

RSPs were divided in five different groups to exercise about sustainable agriculture

through model farm. Learning from theory and discussion about sustainable agriculture in earlier

session, RSPs sketched the concept of model farm as follows:

Group 1 : Dailekh Jwala Agriculture Farm

This concept was developed by the RSPs from Dailekh district.

Group 2 : Chayanath Model Agriculture Farm

This concept was developed by the RSPs from mugu district

Group 3 : Hariyali Agriculture Farm

Group 4 : Sunder Sudurpachim

This concept was developed by RSPs from Farwest Development Region.

Group 5 : Jajarkoti Ghava Model Agriculture Farm

This concept was developed from the RSPs from Jajarkot district.

Thus prepared conceptual sketch about model agriculture farm was displayed and discussed by

the group using method of world café.

Figure 4: RSPs sharing their concept of sustainable agriculture farm by using world café method.

Day 2

Second day of training course was started with the review of previous day from

participants. In first session of second day, Project coordinator, Soma Rana clarified about the

NMA project in Nepal. Next session till the second half of the day was facilitated by nutrition

expert of UNICEF Prakash Chandra Joshi. He explained about the malnutrition (Definition,

types and consequences). Additionally, he explained about the major milestones of nutrition,

nutritional status, Policy & strategy & ongoing nutrition programs in Nepal. Furthermore, he also

explained about the infant and young child feeding. He also described about the multi sector

nutrition plan, its importance and organization.

Figure 5: Prakash Chnadra Joshi, Nutrition expert from UNICEF facilitating the session.

In second half of the day, Shaknoza explained the theory and methods for baseline survey

especially about two methods i.e. Focus group discussion &Minimum diet diversity score-

Women (MDDS-W). After that RSPs were divided in two groups and assigned for role play in

two methods of baseline survey.

Day 3

Third day of the course was started with review of previous day. In first session, RSPs

described their understanding about baseline survey through role play. The role play from both

groups was clear. Feedback from RSPs from another group and from facilitator further clarified

about baseline survey.

Figure 6: RSPs peforming role play about MDDS-W survey

In second session, Shaknoza described about the facilitation theory and practices. She

explained the participatory training tools such as brainstorming, grop work, role plays, panel

discussion, fish bowl, open space, world café etc. After that RSPs learned about MAAN platform

and opportunities and facilitation skill in MAAN plat platform from RSP facilitator, Alok

Shrestha . RSPs were divided in groups and assigned the task to discuss about MAAN plantform,

its strength and feedback for improvement. Group leaders from each group presented the

summary of discussion. RSPs were passionate to learn about MAAN platform and appreciate

the opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing through MAAN platform. However,

some of them expressed their concern about the lack of internt access in village. At the end of

3rd

day, RSPs were then divided in two groups for excursion visit in 4th

day.

Day 4

Fourth day of the training program was started with excursion to RSP in field. First group

visited in rural village of Surkhet district and second group visited model agriculture farm. RSPs

were also refreshed with visit to some of the historic and tourism place of Surkhet such as Kakre

Bihar, Deauti Bajai and Bulbul Lake. Returning from the field visit, RSPs shared their learning

and feedback on the excursion. Additionally, they discussed about the possibilities of

incorporating their learning during micro project development. In final session of 4th day, there

was discussion about the concept of micro projects. RSPs were trained about the basic template

and ideas to develop micro projects. Micro Project ideas from RSPs were then clustered

thematically and geographically in eight groups.

Figure 7 : RSPs in farmers field.

Figure 8 : RSPs with local farmer during their excursion

Figure 9 : RSPs interacting with farmer during the visit of construction site of greenhouse

for commercial vegetable farming.

Day 5

Resource Persons developed project concept note (PCN) about their micro intervention in 5th

day of the Capacity development training. There were eight different groups according to

different theme and regions. RSPs presented their ideas and received feedback for improvement.

The themes of the projects were clustered as follows:

1) School nutrition

2) Nettle processing and marketing

3) Promotion of Local legume

4) Organic Manure production and demonstration

5) Promotion of diversified food items ( cooking recipe)

6) Kitchen gardening

7) Honey bee production and marketing

8) Media

Figure 10 : RSPs discussing about their micro project concept.

Day 6

In final day of the training program, RSPs received feedback from project management

team especially on the clarity about their topic and budgeting aspects. There was also discussion

about the basic values of project implementation. Furthermore, Shaknoza briefed about the

webinars and asked RSPs to provide their opinion for webinars. Based upon their similarity the

probable topics of webinars were clustered in seven topics. RSPs were asked for preference

ranking about the topic. Most of the RSPs were keen to learn from knowledge and experience of

field from National and international experience. The expected topics for webinars from RSPs

were as follows:

Value chain development ( post harvest, Marketing)

Sustainable Agriculture

Use of MAAN platform

Nutrient and Nutrition

Advocacy strategy

Organic production and certification

Knowledge Sharing (Good Practices, success stories, field experiences and other

countries experience)

Figure 11: Chetana Shahi ( RSP from Mugu) ranking her preference for webinars.

The sessions were ended with the evaluation of training. RSPs were satisfied with the content,

delivery and learning environment.

Closing ceremony

Closing ceremony was facilitated by Soma Rana. International facilitator Shaknoza handover

organic T-shirt and IFOM pendrive to RSPs and NMA Nepal team offered a token of love to

Saknoza. The ceremony was ended with closing note from Shaknoza.

Figure 12 : Yongest and eldest member from RSPs providing token of love to international

facilitator Shaknoza

Figure 13: Shaknoza providing Organic T-Shirt to RSPs

Overall impression of training:

The training was successful to clarify the concept on sustainable agriculture. RSPs

became able to develop their micro project. RSPs were very enthusiastic and the learning

environment was favorable and participatory. The training was fruitful in enhancing the capacity

of RSPs to develop micro project and implement in field level.

Annex 1 : RSPs of First Capacity Building Program of Rural Service providers (F2F1)

SN District Name Sex Organization& Designation Telephone no.

1 Mugu Chetana Shahi F

Chairperson, Women

Upliftment and Awareness

Centre (WUAC)-Mugu

9758900230

2 Mugu Samjhana Shaha F Teacher, Mahakali Model

Higher Secondary School

9748900690,

9848308384

3 Mugu Ishwor Malla M District (Health) Coordinator,

SAPPROS Nepal

9758900591,

9849138474

4 Mugu Dabal Kumai M Social Mobilizer, SAPPROS

Nepal 9868309166

5 Mugu Prakash

Budthapa M

Consultant Advisor,

Community Irrigation Project

(CIP)

9848303419

6 Dailekh Maharup Khatri M

Chairperson, SAEWCC

Dailekh; Chairperson, NGO

Federation, District Chapter,

9858050143,

9800560344,

9758001249

Dailekh

7 Dailekh Bishnu Prasad

Sharma M

Publisher and Editor,

Dhamaka Daily (Dailekh);

district reporter, Nepal

Television and Nayapatrika

National Daily

9848141313,

089 420403

(office), 089

420221

(residence)

8 Dailekh Chakra Bahadur

KC M

Station Manager, Radio

Dhurbatara community FM,

Dailekh

9858050323,

089 410020

9 Dailekh Harikala Thapa F Public Health Nurse, District

Health Office

9848070015,

089 420390

10 Dailekh Sumitra Thapa

Magar F

Project Coordinator,

MEDEP/District Micro

Entrepreneurs Group

Association (D-MEGA),

Dailekh

9844835745

11 Dailekh Parbati Bisunke F Chairperson, Feminist Dalit

Organization (FEDO)

9858050454;

9848077355

12 Dailekh Keshav Bahadur

Bhandari M

Principal, Shree Vijaya

Higher Secondary School,

Dullu 7

9858051752

13 Dailekh

Krishna

Bahadur

Shrestha

M

Teacher, Janata Lower

Secondary School;

Chairperson, Community

Development Programme

9858050040

14 Dailekh Sunita Chand F

Programme Focal Person,

Women Empowerment

Action Forum (WEAF),

Dailekh

9848064319

15 Jajarkot Sarswati Giri F

Programme Coordinator,

Drinking Water and

Sanitation

Programme/Himalaya Social

Development Center (HSDC),

Jajarkot

9860301576,

9816589220,

9860451637

16 Jajarkot Subarna Gautam M Social Mobilizer, CFD/VDC 9868139452

17 Jajarkot Dip Bahadur

Gharti M

Manager, Digital Sanchar Dot

Com 9844820755

18 Jajarkot Rajendra

Bikram Shah M

Convenor, Civil Society,

District Coordination

Committee

9758001010,

089 430039

(residence)

19 Jumla Jaya Bahadur

Shrestha M

Shangri-La Association,

Jumla 9848300864

20 Jumla Ghanashyam

Nagarkoti M

Team Leader, Surya Social

Service Society (4 S), Jumla

9858320599,

081-521784

(residence)

21 Kalikot Durga Bahadur

Bista M

Field Coordinator, SAADA

Nepal, Kalikot

9848358091,

087

440257/440177

22 Kalikot Hansh Raj

Neupane M Vaccinator, Health Post

9848061926,

9848348899

23 Kalikot Hari Bahadur

Shahi M

Programme Officer, Rural

Development Nepal

(RDN)/AFSP, Kalikot

9848157559,

087 440158

24 Kalikot Pusparaj

Acharya M

Project Coordinator,

HuRENDEC Nepal (Youth

Training in Disaster

Preparedness-YTDP project)

9848051984

25 Bajura Krishna Kumari

Dani F

Project Officer, Women

Development Forum, Bajura

097 541207

(office),

9849560697

26 Bajura Dhan Bahadur

Rawat M

Programme Coordinator,

Rural Reconstruction

Development Centre (RRDC),

Bajura

9865612848,

9749002325,

097 541023

27 Achham Tikendra Prasad

Bhandari M

Social Mobilization

Coordinator, Dynamic

Multipurpose Society/Local

Governance and Community

Development Programme

(LGCDP)

9860703703

28 Achham Man Bahadur

Shahi M

Co-operative Manager,

Pachulli Vegetable and Seed

Production Cooperative

(PVSPC), Achham

9619708568

29 Achham Nar Bahadur

Saud M

Coordinator, Rural

Development Centre

(RUDEC) Nepal, Achham

9848645640

30 Banke Ashok Kumar

Thapa M

Asst. Consultant, Fine Smart

International Consultancy Pvt.

Ltd., Banke

9868183500,

9748008699

31 Banke Bir Bahadur

Hamal M

ED, Fine Smart International

Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., Banke 9841859895

Others

32 Dailekh Shilpa Kunwar F

District Programme

Coordinator,

LINK/HELVETAS

9858052287,

089

420057/420626

33 Jajarkot Shanti Rai F

District Programme

Coordinator,

LINK/HELVETAS

9848119584,

089 430223

34 Kathmandu Rama Paudel F Freelancer (language

translator)

35 Kathmandu Soma Rana F

NMA National Coordinator,

HELVETAS Swiss

Intercooperation Nepal

9851137912

36 Kyrgzstan Shakhnoza

Kurbanalieva F

NMA International

Coordinator, IFOAM-

Organics International