Value addition to the raw fish and marketing the products The coordination between Agriterra and RLRFC started beginning of 2018 with the BHAG of  increasing the production by 100% from 50.000 to 100.000 kgs in 2 years’ time while protecting the bio-diversity of Rupa Lake. For this purpose  several advisory assignments were undertaken to increase the production; Improving fish harvesting practices  study on impact of feeding to the fingerlings  study on ways to reduce the mortality of fingerlings were few among them. In addition to all the advisory assignments  at the end of 2018  the cooperative hired 4 new fishermen and now the daily harvesting of fish leads up to 300 kgs on an average. The cooperative now faces the challenge of finding market for the excess fish they cannot sell to the buyers that visit their cooperative. RLRFC doesn’t currently perform any marketing activities for their fish and don’t have technical expertise who can work for diversifying the fresh fish into various products. RLRFC is assured that their fish production/harvesting is going to increase from this point forward and wants to expand its target market beyond the buyers that reach cooperative early morning for buying the fish and nearby restaurants. Agriterra shares the same concern and together with RLRFC in 2019 will focus on finding new market for the Rupa Lake fish and also on diversifying their products.  The target for 2019 is to sell 10000 kgs of fish with branding and packaging. Agriterra  together with RLRFC in 2019 will focus on finding new market for the Rupa Lake fish and also on diversifying their products. The target for 2019 is to sell 10000 kgs of fish with branding and packaging.                                                                                             RLRFC will focus on the pilot delivery of branded and cleaned fish to high-end restaurants for 2020.   The target for 2020 is to sell at least 10000 kg of fish with branding and packaging. Project   Activities
    
       Student Internship: Hiring of a Nepali counterpart for the   internship activity in line with A.1 
   The   foreign intern is supported in the research activity  cultural adaptation and   language for carrying out the planned internship
       One day workshop to discuss the findings of the research student   and develop action plan to move forward
   New   market segment  different varieties of fish and fish products demanded by   consumers and ways to approach this new segment is identified
       1 day workshop to present and discuss the findings of Agripool   assignment in line with A.2
   Marketing   plan is developed customized to the needs of RLRFC
       Meeting with relevant stakeholders of different   colleges/university offering fisheries course to see the opportunity for   bringing students as interns to RLRFC for research and study
   Arrangement   to bring students  currently studying bachelor/masters in fisheries  for   internship at RLRFC to combine theory and practical of the studies is made
       Consultant:   Study/Research on ways to reduce the mortality rate of fingerlings and   increase production (continuation from 2018 Action plan)
   Action plan   explaining activities necessary to undertake to reduce fingerling mortality   and increase production is developed
       1 day   workshop to present and discuss the findings of Consultant for P.6 (Trnasfer   from 2018 Action plan)
   Clear   understanding for the reason of fingerling mortality and action plan   developed to reduce it
       Communication of action plan developed as a result of P.5 to the   40 Cage culture Farmers and its implementation (Transfer from 2018 Action   plan)
   Decrease   in fingerling mortality and increase in production
       Sanitation maintenance of the Fish weighing and cutting station
   Improvement   in the hygiene of fish processing and better image to the target customers
       Mid-term progress evaluation workshop
   Achievements/successes   celebrated and challenges for implementing actions  if any  discussed to   resolve it
       Explore and study the process and requirements of certification    branding  packaging for Rupa Lake's production
   Identified   different options for certifying  branding and packaging RLRFC's fish and   fish products
       Follow up of strategic business plan developed in 2018
   Track   the progress and challenges in implementing strategic business plan
       Exchange Visit to Baigundhara and Topgachi  Jhapa where 60   hectares of land are being used for commercial farming
   Improved   knowledge on fish processing and marketing