In the hilly areas of Nepal, agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for most rural households. Kalimati and Triveni Rural Municipalities of Salyan District are also highly dependent on agriculture and livestock for livelihoods but face increasing challenges from climate change, including droughts, erratic rainfall, forest fires, and emerging crop pests and diseases. Local governments have prioritized climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction through formulation and endorsement of local plans and policies, but limited technical and financial capacities still constrain their effective implementation. The SAMUTTHAN Project addresses these challenges in close coordination with the local governments by strengthening community resilience through climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable livelihoods and disaster preparedness. 

The project aims to improve and diversify the food and nutrition security by creating income opportunities and strengthening access to improved seeds, services and markets while improving climate change adaptation and disaster risk management capacities of local governments, institutions and communities in the Rural Municipalities. It primarily targets marginalized and disadvantaged groups, including women, Dalits, Persons with Disabilities, and climate-vulnerable smallholder farmers. Through a participatory and inclusive approach, the project will directly reach 2200 households via Farmer Groups, Seed Producer Groups, Community Disaster Management Committees and other community-based organizations. The project outputs are as below: 

Output 1.1: Smallholder farmers and vulnerable households adopt climate-resilient agriculture practices and diversify livelihoods through improved production and market access. 

Output 1.2: Community-based disaster risk reduction mechanisms and local climate adaptation plans are established and operational in target communities.