IFAD to launch RER project in 2015

KATHMANDU, May 28:

In a bid to strengthen and upgrade the living standard of people in Eastern and Central Terai region, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has proposed a Rural Enterprises and Remittances (RER) program that will ultimately benefit 100,000 people.

RER is believed to support all types of family, micro and small enterprises that hold potential for profitability in both farm and off-farm sectors and provides sustainable sources of income to poor households, migrant families and returnees in the proposed area, according to IFAD.

“Poverty alleviation through creation of enterprise and providing relevant training and linkage for proper use of remittance is the major objective of the program,” reads the preliminary plan of the RER. The IFAD has identified agriculture and forestry (plantation, fruits, spices, greenhouses, and value chains), fishing, mining and quarrying, manufacturing and recycling, handicraft, construction, wholesale and retail trade and hotel and restaurants among others as major categories of economic activities for rural micro and small enterprises.

Likewise, the programs on migrant workers and returnees will focus on financial literacy training to prospective migrants including reintegration counseling. It also aims at facilitating migrant sustainable access to business development services and vocational training and apprenticeship, according to IFAD.

The program which will be implemented over 7 years in 16 eastern districts is worth US$ 78.5 million. IFAD has provided US$ 35 million for the program to be implemented from 2015. The Ministry of Industry (MOI) will be the project executing agency and will bear overall responsibility for RER coordination and oversight.

IFAD held its first round of consultation meeting with various stakeholders by organizing a function in the capital on Monday. The function was organized with an objective to establish working modalities and roles of the multi-stakeholder platform for migration and development, according to IFAD. Speaking at the function, IFAD country representative Lakshmi Moola said the project will be implemented through a phased approach in various districts as per the trigger indicators and with two.

Source: Republica