FSN-IL ̶ Empowering and Innovative Designing for Protecting Nutrient-Dense Food: Rural Market Development was a project implemented by LI-BIRD in collaboration with iDE Nepal, which was funded by Feed the Future- Food System and Nutrition Innovation Lab (FS-NIL). This project aimed to strengthen the supply chain of nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits in rural markets of Nepal through technology commercialisation.

FSN-IL demonstrated a strong business case for the adoption and use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and a wide range of cold and dry storage technologies among market actors for increased income, decreased postharvest loss, and improved availability of nutrient-dense food in the rural mountainous markets in Nepal. The project used a market systems development (MSD) approach to codesign commercially viable business models with the private sector, using a risk-sharing approach to incentivise investments in R&D and technology scaling.

The project identified and invested in business opportunities for local youth and women. It also supported small- and medium-sized enterprises in rural markets that could benefit from the use of the postharvest and food processing technologies. The FS-NIL: RMD project operated in the Madi and Machhapuchhre Rural Municipalities of Kaski District in Gandaki Province. The project provided incubation and business support for small-scale decentralized SMEs to start, grow, and scale context-appropriate technology businesses, develop joint-venture partnerships with private sector firms to de-risk investments in best-bet technologies, and create inclusive business models; and trigger wider adoption of technologies through strategic partnerships and innovation funds. These objectives were backed by research and adaptive, human-centered design principles.