Towards realization of paddy processing factory in order to process yearly 15.000 ton paddy from members by 2019 <p>The Dumarwana Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperative Limited (DSFACL) is located at the central region of Nepal  in Bara district. In 1997 the cooperative was registered with 454 members and grown to 9.572 members in April 2017. Out of total members  about 8.000 are rice farmers. The livelihood of members largely depends upon the income of paddy. There is demand from members to invest in a rice processing plant and market rice on behalf of the members. DSFACL already purchased the land and constructed a building for the rice processing plant. DSFACL is currently exploring options to finance the investment. DSFACL could gain regular source of income from agri-business other than financial services. During the company assessment in April 2017  it was realized that Agriterra can add value in their envisioned plan of running rice processing plant which gives more marketing opportunities and better prices for all their members. The cooperative should focus on organizational development and development of rice processing business. This is expected to results in the realization of the &nbsp;paddy processing factory and a yearly processed volume of 15.000 ton paddy by end of 2019.</p> <p>The project plan focused on the business  finance  and organisational of the cooperative. DSFACL will take lead and Agriterra will support in implementing the action plan</p>
<p>The following actions are made till end of December 2017:
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<ul><li><strong>Business development: </strong>mapping and analysis of 200 commercial farmers. The farm size of these farmer should be at 3 3 hectares (5 bigha). By mapping these farmers the cooperative will get knowledge about commitment  potential production and types of farmers. 
  </li><li><strong>Business development:</strong> investigate the possibilities of the demand for rice and getting an idea of purchase price and current trends regarding to paddy and rice. 
  </li><li><strong>Business development:</strong> develop a three years business plan including diversifications  marketing strategies  investment needs and financial projection plan for the rice processing mill. 
  </li><li><strong>Business development:</strong> conducting a workshop about the new business plan with representatives of the five service centres  government and financial institutions. Thereby DSAFCL will get to know about possibilities and commitment of the stakeholders and members. 
  </li><li><strong>Organisational development:</strong> conduct a human resource and governance training to optimize to relationship between member  staff  management and board. After the training an action plan will be made.
  </li><li><strong>Organisational development:</strong> follow up on the action plan that is made during the human resource and governance training. 
  </li><li><strong>Financial development:</strong> participation on Agriterra basic financial management training
  </li><li><strong>Financial development:</strong> participation on Agriterra internal capitalization training. 
  </li></ul>
<p>Based upon outcomes of action plans of 2017  Agriterra will develop more elaborate plan for a long-term relationship with DSFACL.&nbsp; &nbsp;
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