Partnering with local governments for agriculture commercialisation

This paper documents how Nepal’s Agricultural Market Development Programme Phase II (NAMDP II, Sahaj) partnered with local governments to accelerate agricultural commercialisation through public–private partnerships.

It explains why local governments are central to agricultural extension under Nepal’s federal system and how NAMDP II worked with municipalities to develop market infrastructure, local policies, capacity and extension services.

Using case examples from Koshi Province, it shows how co-investment in markets, cold storage and processing facilities mobilised public and private capital, improved service delivery and increased farmer incomes.

The paper also reflects on challenges and lessons for designing effective, sustainable PPPs at local level.