South Asia is home to well over one fifth of the world’s population, making it both the most populous and the most densely populated geographical region in the world. South Asia or Southern Asia is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate, which rises above sea level as northern parts of India south of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. South Asia is bounded on the south by the Indian Ocean and on land (clockwise, from west) by West Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The term Rainfed agriculture is used to describe farming practises that rely on rainfall for water. It provides much of the food consumed by poor communities in developing countries. For example, rainfed agriculture accounts for more than 95% of farmed land in sub-Saharan Africa, 90% in Latin America, 75% in the Near East and North Africa; 65% in East Asia and 60% in South Asia. Levels of productivity, particularly in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, are low due to degraded soils, high levels of evaporation, droughts, floods and a general lack of effective water management. A major study into water use by agriculture, known as the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, coordinated by the International Water Management Institute, noted a close correlation between hunger, poverty and water. However, it concluded that there was much opportunity to raise productivity from rain-fed farming. For most part, the climate of the region is called the Monsoon climate, which keeps the region humid during summer and dry during winter, and favors the cultivation of jute, tea, rice, and various vegetables in this region.

MTCP2 in South Asia

MTCP2 in South Asia has been strengthening FOs in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal under the respective NIAs in each country in building capacities and enhancing their role in the policy formulation, implementation and monitoring at the national as well as regional and local levels. Various capacity building activities have been conducted in this region ranging from organizational development (e.g. strategic planning, financial management, drafting of organizational policies and working systems) and agricultural technology training (e.g. sustainable/ecological farming systems), enterprise and marketing approaches (e.g. social entrepreneurship, value-chain on specific commodities like organic local high value rice, coffee, fishery products, etc.).

All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa)
Address: Balkhu, Kathmandu
Contact Person: Mr. Keshab Khadka, PhD, Research Department Head
Phone: +977 1 4036 203; Fax: +977 1 4036 304; Mobile: +977 985 104 6845
Email:anpfa@anpfa.org.np; Website: www.anpfa.org.np

National Implementing Agencies (NIAs)

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh Peasants’ Coalition (Secretariat at COAST BD)
Address: House# 13, Road# 2, Shyamoli, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
Contact Persons: Mr. Badrul Allam, Bangladesh Krishok Federation Coordinator; Mr. Rezaul Karim Chaowdhary, Secretary

India:

Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
Address: SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Victoria Garden, Bhadra, Ahmedabad
Contact Person/designation: Ms. Reema Nanavaty, Director- Rural Development; Ms. SmitaBhatnagar; Ms. ChayyaBavar
Contact Numbers: Phone: +79 25506477
Email Address: asiafarmersforum@sewa.org
Website: www.sewa.org

Nepal:

All Nepal Peasant Federation (ANPFa)
Address: Mada Nagar-Balkhu , Kathmandu , Post Box 273 Lalitpur, Nepal
Contact Person/Designation: Bal Ram Banskota, Deputy Secretary General, NIA Coordinator; Binod Bhusal, IT Media and Communication Officer
Contact Numbers: Phone: +977-1 4036304 Fax: +977-1-4036203 Mobile: +977-9851018248 (Balram) +9779867144450 (Binod)
Email Address: balram@anpfa.org.np, binod.bhusal@anpfa.org.np/binodbhusal4@gmail.com
Website: www.anpfa.org.np
Others: Skype:balram.banskota, binod.bhusal

Sri Lanka:

Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR)
Address: No. 12/83, Perera Mawatha, Kotuwegod
Phone/Fax: +94 112 886 747
Email: monlar@sltnet.lk; monlarlk@yahoo.com

Coverage
Nepal
Sri Lanka
India
Bangladesh
Pakistan*
Bhutan*
Afghanistan*

  • To be covered at a later stage