Empowering Women Farmers with Digital Finance, Nepal
Empowering Women Farmers with Digital Finance aimed to make digital financial services inclusive and accessible to poor and marginalized women farmers. The project provided farmers and co-operatives with appropriate digital services and technology to strengthen relationships and linkages among women farmers, co-operatives, financial service providers, banks, microfinance institutions, and local authorities. Eight rural municipalities (Dang- Shantinagar and Dangisharan; Rolpa-Triveni, Runtigadi, Thawang & Pariwartan; East Rukum-Putha Uttarganga & Thuman) were selected for implementation of this project in Dang, Rolpa and Rukum East from Lumbini Province
| Donor | Practical Action under the financial support of JERSEY OVERSEAS AID, UK |
| Start date | August 01, 2022 |
| End date | Ongoing |
| Project Districts | Eight rural municipalities of three districts in Lumbini province – Dangisaran & Shantinagar of Dang, Bhume & Putha Uttarganga of Rukum East, and Thawang, Triveni, Runtigadi & Pariwartan of Rolpa districts in Lumbini Province |
| Achievements | Training on DFS management & business plan development to the cooperative’s BODs and staff organized, A total of 5,654 rural farmers were trained in ‘Financial education and digital literacy’, incorporating entrepreneurship development, savings & income generation strategies and market linkages. Local WDCs were mobilized for conducting Digital Financial Literacy classes and making observation on outputs during dialogue on Household visits. Designed and produced; reviewed and revised training modules based on field learnings and also customized training modules based on Palika’s demand. DFL IEC materials were also produced. Internet connectivity has been installed in 2800 HHs, which has contributed for digitalization of transactions and access to business information in project areas. 3218 DFLC participants have installed digital transaction apps on their mobiles. 3920 DFLC participants have installed agriculture apps on their mobiles. DFLC members are accessing YouTube and gaining knowledge on different aspects of businesses, including new start-ups and strengthening existing ones. Training on ‘Financial education and digital literacy’ was organized for 399 high school students across eight government schools in eight rural municipalities to make school students aware of the basics of financial literacy and digital transaction tools and encourage school students to transfer their learning to DFL participants and other family members at home under the School-to-Home activity. Established partnership with Global IME Bank, IME Pay and seven local cooperatives. Capacitated six partner cooperatives to implement application banking, tablet banking and SMS alerts. Additionally, 15 cooperatives have been linked to merchant services, while nine partner cooperatives offer remittance services as Prabhu Pay merchants. The project addressed the needs of the farmers and co-operatives. It promoted participatory market systems by strengthening relationships and linkages between women farmers, co-operatives, financial service providers, banks, microfinance institutions, and local authorities. Provided technical support to local Palikas to run the DFLCs in the respective Palikas. Provided code of conduct and safeguarding training to participants and cooperative members and also provisioned of toll-free number to share problems regarding violence. |
