ASDP : Agriculture Sector Development Programme

Welcome to ASDP : Agriculture Sector Development Programme

The Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) in Birendranagar, Surkhet is a major development initiative of the Government of Nepal implemented with financial support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Launched in July 2018, this programme aims to support rural smallholder farmers and disadvantaged groups in the hill and mountain districts of Karnali Province by reducing poverty, improving food and nutrition security, and enhancing agricultural incomes through commercially oriented production and value chain development. The Programme Coordination Office is based in Birendranagar, Surkhet, and it works closely with federal, provincial, and local governments to implement field activities in several districts, including Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot, Jumla, Salyan, and others. ASDP builds on lessons from previous IFAD projects and follows Nepal’s Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS), focusing on sustainable, market-driven agricultural systems, inclusive extension services, and strengthening relationships between producers, agribusinesses, cooperatives and other stakeholders. Its long-term goal is to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to ending poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) by supporting high-value crop and livestock value chains and improving rural livelihoods in Karnali’s challenging geographic areas.