The Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-government organization established on April 23, 1991. It is registered at the District Administration Office, Lalitpur and has affiliation with the Social Welfare Council and the NGO Federation of Nepal. The Center is a value based organization committed to promote human centered sustainable development.
GOAL
Develop and institutionalize the concept of participatory economic development in Nepal by mobilizing and empowering local community in rural income generating enterprises.
VISION
High, inclusive and sustainable rural agricultural growth contributing to poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement of the poor in Nepal.
MISSION
To widen improved, sustainable livelihood options for poor and disadvantaged communities in a gender-sensitive and environment-friendly manner.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
During the past 16 years, commensurate with its broad goals, CEAPRED has undertaken a considerable number of activities/projects with support from various national and international agencies. Those activities can broadly be classified into followings:
a) Rural Poverty Alleviation through Income Generation
The vast ecological and biophysical diversities existing in the hills of Nepal provide the comparative advantage and opportunities to grow a large number of high-value crops, including off-season vegetables. Accordingly, since past one decade CEAPRED has been launching high value agricultural programs especially off-season vegetables in various parts of the country. CEAPRED’s work to promote commercial high value agriculture, especially off-season vegetables has had remarkable impact on poverty reduction of participating households and has been widely referred to as a success story pioneered by CEAPRED. Similarly, income from vegetable seeds program have also contributed towards Center's effort in poverty alleviation.
b) Livelihood Programs for the Marginalized and Disadvantaged
The Center has also been committed to improve and empower the livelihood of the marginalized and disadvantaged groups with special focus on women. Over the years, the Center has launched programs to increase their income level through mobilization of group savings in homestead gardening, semi-commercial vegetable production, and small livestock rearing micro-enterprise.
c) Local Resource Mobilization and Initiative
The Center firmly believes that locally available resources need to be properly harnessed. It was with this belief that the Center took the initiative to mobilize the local volunteers, enhance the capacity through several trainings and income generating programs. In order to ensure the sustainability of the program and the organization, CEAPRED has been instrumental in facilitating the formal registration of such emerging organizations.
d) Action/Policy Research on Agriculture
The Center, since its inception, has accorded priority to action/policy research on agriculture and environment. The main focus of the program has been on raising mass awareness and mobilization of local community to plan, prioritize, and implement environmental action programs in their respective areas. To-date the Center has carried out few policy level recommendation studies. One of such studies (Rice Research in Nepal: Current State and Future Priorities) undertaken by the Center had identified several biotic and abiotic constraints to high rice yield and estimated the production loss to each of the constraints across major production environments. The study also forwarded various policies and programs for increasing rice productivity in Nepal. Another action research (Conflict Resolution in the Community-Managed Forestry Program in Kakani VDC of Nuwakot District) emphasized that the incidence of conflicts can be minimized or resolved through proper representation of users, equitable distribution of forest resources, and development of appropriate institutional linkage. Conflict resolution, in essence, must be viewed as empowering the community to manage their resource efficiently, effectively, and equitably. The Center has also completed a policy study entitled "Identification of Rice Recommendation Domains and Implications for Bio-technology Initiatives". The Center had collaborated in a multi-country research program of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and was involved in a study entitled "Common Property Institutions on Natural Resource (Forest) Management".
e) Micro-environmental Action Programs
The Center has contributed towards solid waste management as well as to the capacity building of the emerging institutions.
CEAPRED's Manpower
The Center has a pool of experienced professionals. The multi-disciplinary team comprises of Socio-economists, Agriculturists, Seed Technologists, Sociologist/Demographer, Engineers, Communication Specialists and Specialists in other areas of Community Development.
At present, a total of 306 full-time staff are engaged in various developmental activities being carried out by large majority (over 90%) staff is serving in the field. Of them, 34 are senior professionals, 46 are medium level professionals, 190 are junior level professionals and 36 are support staff. About 25 percent of the staff is female and 7 percent are Dalits. Additionally, the Center maintains a roster of various professionals and experts in multiple areas and their services can be availed as and when necessary.
