Pabitra Seed Company
Pabitra Seeds, a women-owned private agribusiness based in Gurvakot, Surkhet (Province 6), was locally registered in 2016 under the Small Cottage Industry and nationally registered in late 2020 under The Companies Act in Kathmandu. The company specializes in seed production, marketing, and distribution, engaging farmers in seed multiplication while buying back their produce to sell under their own brand name. To ensure seed quality, Pabitra conducts multiple tests before bringing them to market and has received certification from the Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC). The company produces a variety of seeds, including onion, tomato, carrot, spinach, radish, and beans, as well as flood and drought-resistant varieties. Pabitra operates in Gurvakot, Surkhet, and employs six full-time staff members, hiring around ten part-time staff per season based on demand.
Phase 1: Investment facilitation support for business expansion and marketing of quality vegetable seeds; and Phase 2: Empowering Seed Producers: Prioritising GESI and Climate Change Adaptation
The CASA project comprises two phases. Phase 1 focuses on investment facilitation for business expansion and marketing, while Phase 2 emphasizes empowering seed producers with a focus on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and climate change adaptation. The project aims to expand Pabitra’s operations and strengthen its supply chain by aggregating smallholder farmers (SHFs) and promoting quality home-grown seeds.
The project extension seeks to scale up successful activities from phase 1, targeting climate adaptation and GESI for 3,500 new SHFs. The earlier partnership increased the number of women benefiting from Pabitra, enhancing their financial well-being. The duration of each phase is12 months,[PD1] [NA2] with CASA providing both technical assistance and grants. Phase 1 reached 4,000 farmers, while Phase 2 is ongoing from July 2024 until June 2025 with a target of 3,500 new farmers and 2,000 from the previous phase.