Enhancing refugee and host community livelihoods in Koshi Province, Nepal

This ILO brief explains how a market systems approach was used to improve livelihoods for Bhutanese refugees and host communities in Koshi Province, Nepal, through agriculture.

It shows how systemic barriers in the potato value chain - such as limited land access, high input costs and weak market linkages - were addressed through cooperative land leasing, input vouchers, farmer training and market connections.

The brief highlights resulting shifts from subsistence to commercial farming, with clear gains in productivity and income, and evidence of sustainability beyond project support.

It is useful as a practical example of applying the ILO-UNHCR AIMS framework and documenting results from systemic interventions. It is aimed at MSD practitioners, programme designers, donors and policymakers working on refugee livelihoods and inclusive agricultural development.