The TCR lesson lists the activities carried out by the project and concludes that the survey reveals new product opportunities in the value chain. The TCR does not talk about specific lessons learned out of the process. In finalizing this validation report, the NRM rephrased the lesson and provided additional information: Effective knowledge building brings many tangible benefits in the design of new projects. The TA advanced understanding of potential areas for policy and institutional reforms and provided evidenced based confirmation of market demand–all of which were critical to accelerating project readiness. The TA produced (i) a policy matrix for a $50 million policy-based loan, (ii) a report on a commodity mapping survey along key road corridors in Gandaki Province, (iii) institutional mapping of the agriculture sector under federalism, (iv) a report on best practices under the recently completed ADB-financed value chain project, and (v) a preliminary concept note on rice-based value chain development. These reports will provide background information for the development of a new investment project in the agriculture sector in Nepal. The survey reveals that new opportunities for horticulture development are arising as connectivity improves in the hilly areas of Nepal.
Support for Value Chain Development under the Nepal Agriculture Development Strategy