A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990

Agriculture development plays a core role in rural development programme. It can be argued that income-generating opportunities which the rural development programme tries to aim, in rural areas, depend directly or indirectly from agriculture sector. In Kosi Hills, the KHARDEP (Kosi Hill Area Rural Development Programme) has taken the strategy of establishing Agriculture Service Centre (ASC) to provide the coordinated service of agricultural extension, inputs and credit to the farmers which is very much in line with HMGN's hill agriculture extension programme under its Decentralization policy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the progress made by the project in agriculture sector by investigating ASCs role in bringing about change in the agricultural condition of the area. The analysis is based on empirical evidence from three village panchayats of Dhankuta district--- two village panchayats where ASCs are present and are functioning and one village panchayat where there is no ASC. The finding shows that ASCs have been successful in making the farmers aware of improved agriculture practices. However, there is a reluctance on the farmers part to follow up these improved practices. The analysis shows that the improved technology recommended in the area has not provided significant benefit to the farmers. Moreover, due to the lack of coordination of various institution within ASC area, sufficient and timely availability of inputs is a constraint hindering the effectiveness of centres. A greater emphasis is necessary in regard to "appropriate technology package" which should stress on the use of Farm System Analysis as a means of explaining the operation of farm; together with an appropriate support services which , as a whole, can ensure more production and hence more income than the existing practices