Headway

Twenty PDDP districts and four KLDP districts have been exercising participatory data updating work at districts by using improved questionnaire. By the end of September these districts had completed an average of 65 percent of the data collection work and an average of 60 percent of the data verification work. Approximately 20 percent of the data entry work have been completed by the DDCs through their own resources. A standard data processing (statistical output generation) package has also been developed and implemented in all PDDP and KLDP districts after a 2-day training to the Programme Officers and Computer Operators. With the help of this package, the District Information Unit (DIU) will be able to produce various level of data tables, statistical tables for application in the various levels of planning exercises. Agreements between the DDCs and PDDP were made recently to expedite the data entry and processing work at district.

DIUs in six PDDP districts – Banke, Kaski, Kavre, Rupandehi, Parbat and Tanahun -have been updated with global standard desktop GIS Application Facility (ArcView 3.1 GIS software) after necessary orientation to the relevant DDC staff. With the installation of new GIS software, the DDCs now have the capability of producing GIS maps independently and manipulating with the data to create on-demand layers of maps.

The GIS Facility has prepared three layers of bio-physical digital database (Land Use, Land System, and Land Capabilities) and overlaid them onto the existing spatial layers to produce GIS maps of all 20 PDDP districts. These layers have already been installed at the DIUs of Banke, Kaski, Kavre and Parbat DDCs for their use. A compiled version of the "Land Utilisation Map of PDDP Districts" has also been published and disseminated among the districts.

Data Collection modality has been initiated in the five more districts – Palpa, Kailali, Dailekh, Kanchanpur and Mustang with necessary technical support and orientation to the District Development Advisors where present.

The poverty mapping of Mustang district has been prepared by NPC GIS Section with the technical support from the GIS Facility of PDDP, and the final product "Poverty Mapping of Mustang with GIS Application" has also been published and disseminated.

The data distribution policy guidelines which had been endorsed by NPCS earlier, has also been approved by the Mapping Committee of Nepal (MCN) after necessary review and inputs. These guidelines will now smoothen the dissemination of the information products.

Meanwhile the DDCs have been selling the data they have in the DIUs. Myagdi DDC has earned nearly Rs. 5000 by selling statistical and district profiles to those seeking information at the district. The DDC has also published and disseminated a thorough district profile in Nepali. The profile is for sale at Rs. 600 each, the returns adding to the DDC Fund.

Most of the DDCs have restructured their organisation structures so as to include the new Programme Sections and the Programme Officers. In Rupandehi, the DDC has made provisions for a gazetted account officer for the Financial Administration Section. The DDC has also introduced an Internal Audit Section with an Account Officer and assistants and also introduced a Revenue Mobilisation Unit. Likewise the Planning and Technical Sections have now been merged into one section. This Unit is making preparations to establish Ilaka Technical Units by posting overseer and sub-overseers in all the 17 ilakas of the districts in order to provide technical support more efficiently, effectively and in a timely fashion.

The fact that the POs are being internalised within the DDCO is exemplified by the various responsibilities that the POs have begun to bear within the DDCO. While Myagdi DDC has appointed the PO of the Social Section to handle the DDC’s Planning Section, the POs working in the Social & Education Section and Infrastructure Development Section of Kapilbastu are also functioning as District Coordinator in the District Water Resources Users Committee, and Field Coordinator for the Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Project (RWSSP) respectively.

The restructuring has also made provisions for a Human Resource Development Unit (HRDU) in the DDCs. As per reports received till November, 17 districts had formally instituted HRDUs, and half a dozen of them had also made their HRD Guidelines. Rupandehi DDC reports that the HRDU has been formalised with the provision for two staff-a gazetted officer and non-gazetted first class level staff. The DDC also reports that the HRD Unit is going to organise training programmes for the elected women representatives of VDCs in constituency nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 in the current quarter and the DDC has already allocated Rs. 155,000 for the purpose. The HRDU of Myagdi DDC has provided orientation on Participatory Planning Process to the CO members of Ruma and Darbang VDCs mobilised by International Nepal Fellowship (INF).

Several DDCs have constructed, or pledged to construct training halls for HRDU. The Ninth District Council of Banke decided to equip the HRDU with training material and necessary equipment. HRDU Banke has already provided an orientation on Local Self-Governance Act 2055 as well as two training on Animal Husbandry and Social Mobilisation. The revenue collected as overhead charges from the training was spent in purchasing furniture for the HRDU. Likewise Nawalparasi District Council also allotted Rs. 5 lakhs for the construction of a Multipurpose Training Centre and Conference Hall at the DDC. The DDC has requested MLD for administrative budget for the HRDU. Similarly, Syangja DDC, with the view of enhancing the capacities/skills of the rural people to access, improve and sustain service delivery, has also decided to construct a training hall for the HRDU. The DDC has allocated Rs. 3.5 lakhs for the purpose, and is mobilising resources to furnish the premises.

Following up on the enhanced organisational structure, Rupandehi DDC has introduced some changes in the way the DDC functions. It has introduced a double entry system for all official letters and documents and the filing system has been upgraded. The officers’-level meeting is held every week in which the projects are also discussed. The officers’-level of meeting along with the DDC Chairman and the Vice-Chairman is conducted every fortnight. The DDC staff meeting has been regularised every month.

Kaski DDC has been making extra effort to improve its internal management system. Some of the changes include a raise in staff allowance, installation of a PABX system, procurement of a computer for the accounts section, recording staff movement, etc. Kaski DDC is also taking extra measures to make its decisions, its budget and its activities more transparent. For example, the DDC published its budget in its newsletter, which was widely disseminated.

The Programme Officers in Pyuthan DDC conducted a 1-day workshop for the Alcohol Prohibition Monitoring Committee. The Committee was formed last year after the District Council declared Pyuthan as a dry zone.

Resource & Programme Mobilisation: Kaski DDC has emphasised on increasing the internal resource mobilisation of the DDC. Following the recommendation of a committee under the chairpersonship of the DDC Vice Chairman Mr. Shree Nath Baral, a new tax has been imposed. This year the DDC expects to raise Rs. 10 million, double the amount collected in previous years.

A MOU was signed between Kavre DDC, UNICEF and JMA/JICA to implement Sanitation and Child to Child Programme in 16 VDCs of Kavre where JMA/JICA have been are working. The fund amounting to Rs. 2.9 million will be channelled through LTFB/Kavre. The District Education Office and the District Health Office, as coordinators, are also signatories in the contract.

Kavre DDC also organised a workshop for the field level staff involved in social mobilisation so as to share experiences. The staff from PDDP, REDP, DPCP, and Women’s Development Section participated in the 1-day workshop. The DDC and ICIMOD are also joining hands to conduct a survey in some water-deficit VDCs of the districts on "Water Harvesting."

Also in Kavre, ITDG, REDP and PDDP have joined hands to construct a 5 KW micro-hydro plant in Kushadevi VDC. The project which had been prioritised by the community had been forwarded to the ilaka level planning workshop, where it was able to harness support from ITDG, with necessary technical backstopping from REDP and loan from the Agricultural Development Bank. (see Happenings for details of inauguration of project)

Myagdi DDC and Helvetas’ Bridge Building at Local Level (BBLL) have agreed to work on a partnership for one year with possible extension to construct 5 suspension bridges prioritised at the ilaka level workshops. Also the UK Forestry project, Kuhun VDC and LTFB Myagdi have agreed to hire two women forest volunteers as action research programme in Kuhun VDC. The objective of the programme is to create more awareness about forest conservation at the CO level. Accordingly two women CO members have been identified by LTFB and have been trained by UK Forestry project. The volunteers will each be getting Rs. 40 per day from the UK Forestry Project and Rs. 5 per day from the VDC. (photo)

The LTFB in Tanahun has teamed up with Partnership Development Committee and the Rural Urban Partnership Programme to work for the development of the Shishaghat market centre in Shyamgha VDC. Similarly, the Board has linked up with the RCIW in organising a "Street Drama Trainers’ Training" for the community in Shyamgha VDC. The objective was to make the people aware about the power of the medium to convey messages on gender equity, importance of participation in development work and identification of rural issues. Likewise, NGO Network and UNICEF chose two COs in the same VDC to provide education to parents on keeping their children fit. A day care centre will be established soon in the VDC.

Planning & Monitoring
Ilaka Planning Workshop:
Achham DDC has provisioned for the establishment of an ilaka member office in every ilaka thus institutionalising the ilaka planning and review workshops as a major step in participatory bottom-up planning process.

Plans being linked:
Babiyochaur and Kuhun VDC, as yet out of the national electricity grid, have an immense demand for electricity. Accordingly at last year’s bottom-up planning process, the two VDCs requested for solar electricity systems. Their requests were incorporated into the District Development Plan where the DDC requested the central government for subsidy for 400 solar panels.

According to the FY 2056/57 Red Book, 66 systems were approved for Myagdi district. At the initiation of the LTFB Myagdi, the requests for solar panels from 78 applicants from the two VDCs have been linked with the Alternative Power Company (APC) in Kathmandu. Each solar system of 40-watt capacity costs around Rs. 31,000 and APC is expected to provide a subsidy of Rs. 15,000 per system. The Kathmandu Power Company and the Lotus Energy company who are bidding for the supply of the systems on behalf of APC have already installed demonstration systems in the two VDCs. (photos)

Long-term Strategic Planning Workshops:
A series of 5-day strategic Planning Workshops were organised in Chitwan, Dang and Mustang, under the facilitation of the ADDCN with financial support of PDDP. The DDCs bore the cost for the district-level logistics of the participants who included representatives from district-level line agencies, NGOs, political parties, private sector organisations, DDC and Municipalities.

Following the workshops, working committees were formed to coordinate all the stakeholders involved in the preparation of the strategic plan scheduled to be completed by Magh (Jan/Feb) 2056. The committees formed five other specialised sub-committees in order to complete the tasks in time.

Achham DDC has prepared a 20-year Strategic Plan of the district following a 5-day district-level participatory strategic planning workshop. The workshop was jointly organised by Achham DDC, ADDCN and PDDP. Similarly, Dang DDC has also prepared a 20-year plan of District Roads. Currently necessary information is being collected. Myagdi DDC has formed a 9-member committee under the chairmanship of the DDC Chairman to formulate the long and short-term sectoral development strategy and vision for Myagdi district. Likewise the District Council in Syangja has approved a 20-year Master Plan of Roads under the Rural Infrastructure project (RIP). The plan includes the construction of 11 dirt rural roads to be constructed by users’ committees and the routine maintenance and rehabilitation of seven rural roads.

District Development Plans:
All the districts completed the PDP cycle and submitted their District Development Plans (DDPs) after they were endorsed by the respective district councils to the NPC and MLD on time. These Plans include not only the DDC’s plans but also the plans of the sectoral line agencies for the next fiscal year. After reviewing these plans with the concerned Line Departments, NPC has issued instructions to all the Ministries and Line Departments to incorporate these plans in their programming and resource allocation for fiscal year 1999-2000. On an average 70% of budget volume (as compared to 60% last year) proposed in the DDPs through PDP process has received central funding. This shows that the bottom-up planning process adopted by the districts is being recognised by the central level sectoral line ministries and departments.

Internal Fund Mobilisation:
Syangja DDC has agreed to mobilise internal funds through the contracts of scrap material, sand, gravel and skin. The ilaka members have been given the responsibility of negotiating the rates with the contractors and raising the stipulated amount from them. It is expected that the DDC will generate Rs. 1.1 million from these products.

VDP is currently being implemented in 185 VDCs of 19 districts and covering 2192 settlements and 69,861 households. By the end of the third quarter of 1999, a total of 82,560 men and women in these settlements had grouped themselves into 3073 COs. A little over 50 percent of the CO members are women. These members had saved a total of Rs. 37.5 million of which they had invested Rs. 52.7 million. A total of 2025 COs had availed of Rs. 62.7 million credit
of which males COs had utilised Rs. 21.8 million, female COs Rs. 20.8 million and mixed COs Rs. 20.1 million for farming, horticulture, livestock, poultry, forestry, trade & services and manufacturing purposes.

COs have initiated the implementation of a total of 400 priority productive projects at a total of Rs. 39.9 million, of which 216 projects benefiting 338 COs have already been completed.

A total of 1989 community members have received training to become village experts in various fields like animal health, improved agricultural practices, traditional birth attendants, public health etc.

The DDCs have contributed a total of Rs. 5.8 million and the VDCs a total of Rs. 9.1 million for the respective Local Trust Fund Boards of their districts.

The respective district LTFBs are expanding VDP in 5 VDCs of Achham, Banke, Chitwan and Pyuthan. Sankarpokhari and Thapathana VDCs have been selected for VDP implementation in Parbat. While the DDC and the respective VDCs have committed to contribute administrative expenses and resources for the Seed Grant Fund, the rest of the resources will be supported by the LTFB/Parbat. Meanwhile Gonaha VDC in Rupandehi could not implement VDP due to internal political squabbling. The DDC then selected Bairghat VDC as replacement after reviewing the commitment letters from many other VDCs. Dadeldhura DDC is implementing VDP in Samaiji VDC through its own resources. (see table for names of additional VDP VDCs on p. 37)

Certificate of Maturity: Members of 85 COs in five VDCs in Nuwakot (Bhadrutar, Charghare, Chaughada, Suryamati and Taruka) were given "Certificate of Maturity" amidst separate functions by the DDC Chairman Mr. Bharat Pd. Dhungana. Mr. Narayan Pd. Khatiwada, the DDC Vice Chairman, was also present on the occasions, as were the respective ilaka members, VDC Chairmen and other officials.

District	Additional VDP VDCs
*Achham*	Bardadevi, Malatikot, Siddheswar, Toli, Toshi
*Banke*	Bankatti, Chisapani, Khaskusma, Saigun, Sonpur
*Chitwan*	Birendranagar, Chainpur, Dahakhain, Parbatipur, Shivanagar
*Dadeldhura*	Samaiji
*Kaski*	Bhachowk, Bhalam, Ghachowk, Saimarang, Sardikhola,
*Rupandehi*	Bairghat
*Parbat*	Sankarpokhari, Thapathana
*Pyuthan*	Bangesaal, Bijuli, Dharmapani, Hansapur, Okharkot

The William Hybrid bananas planted under Technology Transfer in Banke have borne fruit. Meanwhile the VDP support staff have been encouraging CO members to expand their banana plantation for increased yields. Data reveals that the CO members who have taken up banana farming earn and average of Rs. 8000 per kattha whereas previou>

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worth of other crops from the same area of land. In line with the increased interest of farmers in growing bananas, figures show that they are also taking more and more credit capital for banana plantation. Thirty three percent of the credit capital borrowed in Sitapur VDC has been invested in bananas as has 23 percent in Binauna VDC and 29 percent in Baijapur VDC. (photos)

Similarly returns from the bananas planted in Dang under Technology Transfer have yielded an average of Rs. 100 per plant.

Credit Support:
Bhimlal’s Bakery: In November last year Bhimlal Shrestha of Saptakanya CO in Mahadevsthan VDC took Rs. 5000 credit from LTF and established a bakery in the village. With ever-increasing demand in neighbouring Kuntabesi, Sipaghat, Lamidanda, Deupur and Chandeni, the bakery has grown over the months. Shrestha took an additional loan of Rs. 20,000 to expand his business. Now he produces 14 bakery items and employs as many people. The remuneration of his employees range from Rs. 700 to Rs. 3500. His average daily sales total Rs. 8100, of which he makes a profit of nearly Rs. 700.

Functions:
The First Annual General Meeting of the Livestock Insurance Programme of Kushadevi was held on 7th August. Besides the shareholders of the Insurance scheme and the local populace, the meeting was also attended by the DDC officials, representatives form District Line Agencies and PDDP, Chairpersons of VDP VDCs. The general meeting rectified the constitution and elected a 10-member working committee, and also revised the interest rate from 24 percent to 22 percent. The insurance scheme has so far insured 349 cattle-mostly buffaloes and some cows. The Insurance Committee has a total savings of Rs. 632,778, and has paid Rs. 60,000 as compensation for six buffaloes that died due to birthing complications. The authorities say that while an average of 25 cattle would succumb to communicable diseases in the past, since the inoculation programme of the Insurance Scheme, there have been no deaths of animals from such diseases.

Self-initiated Work:
Salleri primary school in Ghatan VDC-5, in Myagdi, ruined by a landslide in August 1998, was rebuilt after the members of the Utthan, Raughat and Sudhar COs, mobilised support from the VDC, users’ groups and the DDC. The DDC provided Rs. 40,000 from Public Service Funds for the repair works.

Also in Myagdi, the members of the Devi Deurali CO in Dobha VDC have set up an example in collective farming. They worked on a patch of barren public land and made it arable for potato farming. All the CO members voluntarily participated in growing the potatoes and produced 300 kgs. of the tuber this year. The Rs. 2500 they received from the sale of the potato has been added to the CO’s fund to be utilised for more productive investment.

Others:
Insurance Scheme: Taking into consideration the social security of the LTFB personnel, LTFB Baglung has initiated a Health & Accidental Insurance Scheme through the Kathmandu-based Himalayan General Insurance Co. Ltd. The insurance covers hospital medical expenses and accidental coverage of upto Rs. 250,000.

In the 18 months that PPP has been implementing its activities in Tanahun, Kaski, Syangja, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Banke, the programme has managed to support 32 enterprises proposed by the support organisations. These enterprises include vegetable & orange production and marketing, papaya nursery and production, poultry, woollen bag, bead-making and milk cooperatives.

As of September 1999 a total of 31 self-help organisations (SHOs) had been formed comprising of 454 female and 360 male members. These SHO members have saved a total of Rs. 112,711 and have made a cumulative investment of Rs. 121,988. They have and also taken a total of Rs. 458,000 credit capital for business promotion, marketing and production.

SHO members have saved a total of Rs. 112,711 and have made a cumulative investment of Rs. 121,988. They have and also taken a total of
Rs. 458,000 credit capital for business promotion, marketing and production.

The SHO members have been provided 33 training opportunities (on record keeping, functional skills, organisation and marketing practices) benefiting 270 female and 265 male members.

The groups have mobilised Rs. 1.78 million as equity investment to have turnover worth Rs. 3.79 million materialising a profit of nearly Rs.1 million.

Pashu Haat:
A weekly livestock market has been established under the initiation of PDDP and Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan. Buyers and sellers gather at Tikauli every Saturday for this "Pashu Haat." In the very first week of its inception, Rs. 1.5 lakhs worth of animals had been traded at the haat.

Milk Chilling Centre:
The Aandhi Khola Milk Chilling Centre operating since June 1999 has been collecting 1600 litres of milk every day. Officials expect the quantity to increase to 3000 litres. The Cooperative has decided to purchase a generator to deal with power outages.

The bags being woven by the Mahila Jhola Bunai Samuha, (Women’s Bag Weaving SHO) in Tanahun is becoming immensely popular and are finding an ever–increasing market in neighbouring towns and districts as well. (refer to Bulletin # 6 also) The main markets for the bags are Damauli, Dumre, Khaireni, Dulegaunda, Pokhara and even Chitwan. In order to keep up with the demands, the group is now planning to organise a separate group of women and provide them with training on weaving bags.

The transportation cost of taking the bags to the markets is borne by all the members. Since these bags are cheap and of a superior quality they are consumed more than the bags coming from outside. Presently the group produces 200 bags every month. According to a group member, they earn a profit of Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 per bag.

In the initial eight months itself the group had made 4257 bags out of 738.5 kgs. of wool, out of which they made a net profit of Rs. 66,470.

Banke’s Beads
The 24 women members of the Chandika Self Help Organisation in Ward # 2 of Kohalpur VDC in Banke are busy these days making bead necklaces... and integral part of the attire of married Hindu women.

In May this year the group availed of Rs. 30,000 credit from the Programme for their enterprise. PPP Banke helped the SHO establish linkage with the wholesaler of beads as well as stringed (woven) beads, thus ensuring a guaranteed market. The group buys unstrung beads and supplies the stringed beads to the same wholesalers as per the latter’s orders. The SHO also sells the ready-to–wear beads at retail rate in the shop that they have opened with their investment. The shop also sells cosmetic and grocery items.

The group members take the unstrung beads and thread from the ‘Collection and Distribution Centre’ of the SHO after weighing it. They string the beads as per orders in their homes during their leisure hours. When they supply the finished products to the SHO they are paid on the basis of the weight of the beads.

The enterprise is a very profitable one and the women of the group are very happy with this project. Their work is being admired by a lot of develop-mental organisations (I/NGO’S too). (photo)

The Shivashakti Dugdha Utpadak Samuha (Milk Producing Group) was formed at Gaidakot, Adarsh VDC, Ward # 7 to develop the market for milk and for the organisational development of farmers involved in cattle rearing and milk production. Although milk collection began in July 1998, the SHO faced difficulty selling milk to the more than 200 potential households, as they could not afford to buy the lactose and fat meters and milk cans. The Programme then provided a credit of Rs. 50,000 for this purpose. Currently the centre collects 400 litres of milk a day and supplies the milk to the Himalayan Dairy at Gaidakot. The milk collection is expected to increase during the flush season.

The membership of the group has increased to 70 and there are 11 members in the working committee. By encouraging farmers who supply milk to the centre to become members of the SHO, the membership is expected to cross 100.

The annual profit of this milk production scheme is expected to be Rs. 2,40,225.

Consultative Session on Appropriate Technology
The Consultative Workshop on Development and Transfer of Appropriate Technology into Village Development Programme (VDP) was organised by the National Planning Commission on 22 September 1999. The objective of the Session was to review and comment on the conceptual framework of Technology Transfer developed by PDDP; to identify the persons and agencies working for technology transfer in Nepal, and to initiate linkages with them. The session which was attended by representatives of related government line agencies, National Planning Commission, academic institutions, I/NGOs and UNDP, was chaired by Hon. NPC Member Dr. Jagadish C. Pokharel.

The participants suggested the importance of stressing on low-cost, home-bred technology, and the utmost importance to link increased productivity with the market, and to disseminate information about the availability of such technology. Some cautioned on taking care to see that such technological inputs are not supply-driven, and also to pay attention to gender roles and responsibilities such that technological inputs do not add extra burden on just men or women.

Case Study on Social Mobilisation
Mr. Madhav K. Raut of the Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University, has completed his Masters’ Degree requirements by submitting a dissertation based on his research in Katuwachaupari VDC in Parbat. The Evaluation Study on "Social Mobilisation to Promote Self-Governance: a Case Study of Katuwachaupari VDC" presents a detailed description and analysis of VDP in the village. Among the major findings the author writes, "Social Mobilisation philosophy has been successful in directing the basic development services to the target population (poor) and it could be one of the effective poverty alleviation strategies in the country. So keeping in view the extent of rural poverty in Nepal, it is urgent that such a programme should be expanded to cover a larger proportion of the poor all over the country."

Under the joint collaboration of DDC Nawalparasi, the Decentralisation Advisory Support Unit (DASU)/DANIDA and the Local Development Training Academy (LDTA) a 9-day training for trainers on "Local Governance and Planning" was organised for 18 local District Personnel (DPs). The training provided the local elected officials with knowledge about their roles and responsibilities, identification of need-based projects and proper utilisation of local resources. After the training these DPs then worked as facilitators for eight 9-day training programmes to the VDC officials of 43 VDCs. Eighteen VDCs have already benefited from such a training programme earlier and Action Aid will be conducting the training soon in the remaining twelve.

LTFB Accounting & Reporting:
A 6-day training on LTFB Accounting & Reporting was organised in November at Pokhara for 24 LTFB Accountants of 17 PDDP districts as well as participants from CAP-21 project and LGP districts. The training was organised by PDDP and UNDP. Mr. Biswas Gauchan, UNDP’s Chartered Accountant was the Resource Person in the training along with PDDP’s Administration Assistant Mr. Udaya Pradhan. During the training the participants learnt the techniques of systematic account keeping as well as financial reporting so as to make the LTFB accounting system more streamlined, transparent and uniform.

Gender Orientation: A series of 3-day Gender orientation Training have so far been provided by PDDP through DidiBahini for 139 support organisation (SO) staff, 42 of them female-social mobilisers, saving-credit facilitators, overseers and accountants-from 17 PDDP supported districts.

Social Mobilisation: A series of 8-day training on Social Mobilisation was provided for 68 prospective SO staff from Kaski, Banke, Achham and Nuwakot in Oct-Nov in Kaski. The training imparted the participants with the conceptual and operational aspects of social mobilisation and also included field trips to VDP VDCs in Syangja.

Planning Tools & Techniques: A series of two 6-day refresher training on Planning Tools and Techniques were provided for a total of 51 Programme Officers, 8 Planning Officers and Planners from PDDP Districts and also from Gulmi (GARDEP) and Kalikot.

The training held in September and November in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj respectively, oriented the participants on the use of such tools and techniques for more effective sectoral analyses to enhance the DDCs’ planning efforts. Through experience sharing and discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing local development efforts, the participants sought ways in which the DDC’s planning linkages with local line agencies could be enhanced through the application of the planning tools and techniques the POs and the Planning Officers acquired. (photo)

"Village Development Programme through Social Mobilisation: The Progress... Achievements, Effects and Impacts: September 1999" The first in the series of PDDP Assessment reports that includes the achievements, effects and impacts made by VDP till September. The Report was disseminated widely.

"Land Utilisation Map of PDDP Districts" ; August 1999. Contains GIS maps of 20 PDDP districts made by overlaying three layers of bio-physical digital database (Land Use, Land System, and Land Capabilities) on existing spatial layers.

"Poverty Mapping of Mustang with GIS Application" published and disseminated among the users.

Achham, Baglung, Baitadi, Banke, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Dadeldhura, Dang, Kaski, Kavre, Myagdi, Nawalparasi, Nuwakot, Parbat, Pyuthan, Rupandehi, Syangja and Tanahun DDCs have been producing regular bulletins.


CO members in Pawan Nagar in Dang taking home banana saplings provided by Programme under Technology Transfer	Bananas ready for market in Banke	Biscuits ready to be baked in Bhimlal's bankery

District

Additional VDP VDCs

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