Farmer to Farmer Replication Programme

In order to provide access to finance in the rural area of Nepal, SKBBL is promoting formation of new SFACLs through the process called Replication of SFACLs.The small farmers agriculture cooperatives are given responsibility to replicate SFACLs in neighboring villages. This approach is initiating self-governing institutions, the efficiency and expansion of cooperatives have increased. Of the 704 ongoing replication programs, 485 have been transformed as SFACLs and managed successfully by small farmers. If assistance from the government and aid agencies continues, the bank will be able to expand programs at an increased pace with the principle of demand and supply. Clusters of such institutions will be developed to enhance access to micro finance services for the poor.

Programmes initiated by External Agencies are  costlier and such programs doesn’t fully implies with locals. So,Small Farmer Coperatives from different local levels  started to work together due to which programme costs effectively decrease and Programme’s  impact  increases. SFACLs  from one local body helping small farmers of another local body for their economic and social development  was introduced. This Practice of uniting small farmers for their socio-economic growth was initially termed as Farmer to Farmer Replication Program.

In Fiscal year 2077/2078, Farmer to Farmer Replication Program is going on around 25 rural local areas  where SFACL’s services was not reached.

 Features of Replication Program

• Promotion of a new institution in areas where people are deprived of microfinance services through capable SFACLs.
• Low cost of promotion
• Inclusiveness with empowerment of women
• Launch microfinance and social development programs for the socio-economic development of small farmers
• Capital formation, ownership and self-sufficiency
• Independent institutions, to provide services to the targeted population with competent management with a three tiered structure: groups, inter-groups and a board of directors.
• Financial intermediary with banks to provide financial services as per the need of members
• An appropriate model for hills and remote areas, deprived of microfinance services