Established in 2007, Narti Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd is a farmer-led organisation in Province 5 of Nepal. Managed by a nine-member committee (three women, six men), the cooperative has four full-time staff (three women, one man) and five short-term women agriculture technicians providing extension services. Of 3,300 shareholder members (80% of whom are women), 97% are engaged in vegetable farming. Narti supports smallholder farmers by supplying quality seeds and fertilisers at subsidised rates and offering loans for small businesses like retail shops, tea stalls, and livestock rearing. Narti aims to improve the social and economic well-being of poor and marginalised farmers by connecting them with financial services, agricultural inputs, market information, and output markets. Initially reliant on savings, credit facilities, and agricultural input sales, the cooperative has expanded into vegetable trading. It currently employs 11 staff, including five short-term agricultural technicians and six in management, administration, marketing, and finance.

Promoting Aggregation, Value-addition and Strengthening Linkage with Output Markets 

The 18-month project with Narti Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd, from September 2022 to February 2024, had a total budget of £66,268 of which £26,207 was from CASA for technical assistance and grants. It focused on enhancing the cooperative’s ability to strengthen both backward (farmers) and forward (markets) linkages to scale its aggregation role. Specifically, it supported Narti Cooperative in expanding its production base, institutionalising post-harvest management, and improving marketing services. The project also provided technical assistance to improve management practices and governance, ensuring that the cooperative could deliver effective and efficient services to its members. The overarching goal was to help Narti Cooperative transition from a producer group to a producer SME, aligning with CASA’s vision of promoting the commercialisation of smallholder agriculture through farmer organisations. The project reached a total of 3,349 farmers (79% women) who were contracted and trained in post-harvest handling and integrated pest management as part of the initiative.

After the partnership, Narti successfully started vegetable trading which was the primary objective of the partnership.Narti collects vegetables from these farmers and transports them to a local vegetable shop named “Swargadwari Tarkari Pasal” in Dang, Lumbini Province, using their own vehicle. This has proven to be highly effective, addressing the previous challenge faced by farmers in finding buyers for their produce. Narti has further talked to three other vegetable shops in its vicinity and is set to start trading with these soon.

Updated: August 2025