SAMBRIDDHISAMBRIDDHISAMBRIDDHISAMBRIDDHI U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal Project QUATERLY NEWSLETTERPhoto: Aashish Rai/LWR APRIL - SEPTEMBER 2026 • ISSUE: I INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A Message from the Chief of Party Project Overview & Progress Update Partner’s Updates Success Stories Data Studio Photo FeatureDisclaimer: This newsletter is published under the name SAMBRIDDHI (समृ), the Nepali word for prosperity, highlighting the project’s overall goal of bringing prosperity to Nepal by substantially increasing aquaculture production and trade.

EDITORIAL TEAMAdvisors Dr. Manjurul Karim, Ph.D., Chief of Party Dr. Tek Bdr Gurung, Ph.D., Deputy Chief of PartyEditor-in-Chief/Design Aashish Rai Technical Officer, Knowledge Management & CommunicationsPage 2U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for ProgressA Message from Chief of PartyDear Friends, ...................... ........................We are just starting. The best is yet to Come.____________________ Manjurul Karim, Ph.D. Chief of Party, Lutheran World Relief U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal ProjectManjurul KarimContributors Anusha Malla, Sr. Finance Manager Brajesh Malla, Sr. Manager - Financial Service Ganesh Sharma, Sr. Manager - MEL Dr. Manish Thapaliya, Ph.D.m Sr. Manager - Food Technilogy Narayan Giri, Training Manager Surendra Chaudhary, Sr. Manager - Private Sector Engagement

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal Page 3 P R O J E C T O V E R V I E WModernizing Aquaculture in Nepal, at a glanceA 3.5 year USDA Food for Progress Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal project led by Lutheran World Relief with five local partners. It works with 9,500 fish farmers and 500 market chain actors across the private sector, government, academia and civil society to raise productivity and expand trade in Nepal's aquaculture sector. Sept 2025 – Mar 2029Project period 5Provinces 14Target districts 33Municipalities in Year 1 9,500Fish farmers 500Market chain actors W H E R E W E W O R K Year 1 working districts (12) Additional target districts (2) P A R T N E R C O V E R A G E , Y E A R 1 MADE-Nepal Chitwan · Rupandehi · Parasi RRAFDC Bara · Parsa JJYC Bara · Rautahat · Sarlahi CFWA Dhanusa · Mahottari · Siraha FORWARD Morang · Sunsari T W O S T R A T E G I C O B J E C T I V E SSO1 Increased agricultural productivity of fish farmers through better access to improved inputs, services, finance and end-market linkages.SO2 Expanded trade of aquaculture products, including inputs, services, live fingerlings, fish and processed fish.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 4 A C T I V I T Y 1 · T R A I N I N G Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures 4 2,941 18 P R O G R E S S I N T H I S P E R I O DThe national SPS review, training gap assessment and four draft curricula were completed and submitted to government for endorsement. CFPCC added tilapia, extended the processor curriculum to aquafeed industries, and strengthened feed safety and responsible drug use before approving the package. SPS, biosecurity and post-harvest handling were built into the second village training module, reaching every farmer in the cohort. Partners carried food-safety messages to market days in Kolhabi (63 participants), Dhanpalthan and Duhabi (150) and Birgunj, with government veterinary offices taking part. W H A T T H E C U R R I C U L A D E L I V E R N E X T R E P O R T I N G P E R I O D · O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 – M A R C H 2 0 2 7Setting Nepal's first fish-specific SPS standardsA national SPS review benchmarked Nepal's policies, standards and curricula against the WTO SPS Agreement, Codex and the WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Code, and produced four training curricula that CFPCC has approved and committed to own.SPS curricula and ToT manuals approved by CFPCCFarmers trained on SPS, biosecurity and post-harvest handlingField sites assessed across seven districtsThe four curricula give Nepal its first fish- specific training package covering feed, hatcheries, farm biosecurity, harvest, markets and processing. Each combines 90-minute theory sessions with two-hour practicals, and they are tailored to four audiences: trainers over nine days, farmers over four, traders and retailers over three, and processors over two and a half.Finalize the SPS assessment report and secure government endorsement of the curricula. Deliver SPS Training of Trainers for government technical officers and extension agents. Issue guidance on aquaculture drugs and chemicals to field staff and follow up on-farm adoption during harvest.

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal A C T I V I T Y 2 · I N F R A S T R U C T U R E Farm, Market and Trade 10 25 4% P R O G R E S S I N T H I S P E R I O DOSSCs offer water testing, aqua-health advice, quality inputs and referrals. New Krishna Agro Centre in Janakpur records services to 479 project farmers. Khanal Vet Center in Rupandehi now advises 60–70 farmers a month, up from 30–40, and links them to aerator suppliers. JJYC and RRAFDC upgraded four hatcheries and two nurseries; pangasius fry survival at Saksham Sahani Matsya Hatchery rose from about 5% to 26%. A demonstration farmer in Madi raised stocking from 300 to 400 fingerlings per kattha, and a farmer in Suddhodhan built his own aerator after visiting a demonstration. J A N A K P U R L I V E F I S H M A R K E T N E X T R E P O R T I N G P E R I O D · O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 – M A R C H 2 0 2 7Service points, aerated ponds and a market that worksTen One-Stop Service Centers, 25 aerator-equipped demonstration ponds and grant-funded upgrades to processing and market infrastructure began to change how farmers buy inputs, manage water and sell fish.One-Stop Service Centers operating under MoUAerator-equipped demonstration ponds, with farmer cost shareProduct losses at Chitwan Fish House, down from 10%Thirteen retailers now sell from aerated fiberglass holding tanks in separate clean and dirty zones. Daily sales rose from 1,200– 1,500 kg to 1,500–2,000 kg, customer numbers rose by 10–15%, and buyers report more trust in weights. The works were completed in September.Monitor and promote OSSC services, and record production results from the aerator demonstrations. Complete procurement and installation for the nine grants signed in September, including a ward-office partnership to upgrade a local fish market. Hold buyer–seller meetings and act on the market and cold-chain assessment due in October. Page 5

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 6 A C T I V I T Y 3 · C A P A C I T Y B U I L D I N G Extension and Training Systems 2,941 556 85 P R O G R E S S I N T H I S P E R I O DEvery partner met or exceeded its Year 1 target. The Training Manager observed 25 village sessions and coached facilitators on the spot. CFWA's nursery demonstrations in Janakpur and Shahidnagar raised fry survival to 58%, against 30–35% under farmers' previous practice. Partners distributed 1,000 pond management record books and seasonal calendars, and equipped facilitators and farmer groups with water- quality kits. Hands-on tilapia hatchery training at CAARP, Chitwan, raised participants' test scores from 39% to 87%, with 94% rating the training satisfactory. L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T I S L I S T E N I N G N E X T R E P O R T I N G P E R I O D · O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 – M A R C H 2 0 2 7A training cascade that reached 2,941 farmersLWR trained 14 partner technical staff, who trained 28 Aquaculture Field Facilitators, who delivered two season-long modules beside demonstration ponds in 33 municipalities of 12 districts.Farmers trained — 103% of the Year 1 target of 2,850Women trained, 19% of all participantsDemonstration ponds, including 25 with aeratorsEleven district coordination meetings drew about 440 participants, including mayors, ward chairs, livestock sections, banks and hatcheries. Suddhodhan Rural Municipality already subsidizes 70% of probiotic costs, Sunwal invited farmer groups to submit proposals, and Kolhabi co-organized a fish market day.Deliver the third training module on harvesting, grading and marketing. Harvest the demonstration ponds and document yield, survival and feed conversion. Register a new farmer cohort, expand to Year 2 municipalities and follow up district commitments.

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal A C T I V I T Y 4 · I N P U T S Development of Input Supply Systems 4 1.5M 9 P R O G R E S S I N T H I S P E R I O DEach nucleus uses unrelated, PIT-tagged founders from isolated hatcheries. The consultant estimates near-zero inbreeding and a 7–10% genetic gain in the first generation. Trained operators at Sahani Matsya Hatchery reached about 90% fertilization in pangasius breeding; hatchery management, not breeding technique, limits seed output. Monosex tilapia fry at CAARP are averaging 95.75% male and closing on the 99% standard; improved broodstock arrives in March 2027 and seed quality is now tested monthly. A feed consultant assessed seven mills and delivered a simplified QA/QC protocol; 280 farmers now keep record books, giving the project its first on-farm FCR data. H I R A M A T S Y A H A T C H E R Y , C H I T W A N N E X T R E P O R T I N G P E R I O D · O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 – M A R C H 2 0 2 7Better seed, better feedThe project established Nepal's first managed carp breeding nuclei, selected three tilapia hatcheries for monosex seed production, and put nine species- and stage-specific feed formulations into the hands of mills and farmers.Carp breeding nuclei — two Rohu and two MrigalFingerlings stocked at Hira Matsya, up from 0.5 millionSpecies- and stage-specific feed formulations deliveredGrant-funded Artemia and a root blower aerator cut early pangasius hatchling mortality from 50–60% to about 20% and raised nursery survival after transfer from 5–10% to 60–70%. Advance orders for the next season have reached nearly 2 million fingerlings, from 140–150 expected customers against 50– 60 last year.Produce the F2 generation in the four breeding nuclei and validate the pangasius breeding and nursery SOP before the 2027 season. Complete Shreenagar Agritech's feed trials and soy extrusion plant, and run on-farm comparisons of soy-enriched formulations. Work with mills and dealers on quality soy-based feed and the new DLS aquafeed standards. Page 7

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 8 A C T I V I T Y 5 · F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Finance 283 5 NPR 35M P R O G R E S S I N T H I S P E R I O DSAHAMATI assessed 105 entrepreneurs in Chitwan, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi West, then trained 148 farmers in budgeting, cash-flow management, business planning and loan proposals. FORWARD Microfinance trained 135 farmers in Morang, Sunsari, Dhanusa, Mahottari and Siraha and produced a financial literacy booklet. Two farmer–lender interaction events covered registration and documentation requirements, collateral-free loan sizes, repayment terms and grace periods. A rapid access-to-finance assessment of about 280 farmers will identify finance-ready borrowers for immediate referral to lenders. D E M A N D I S A L R E A D Y T H E R E N E X T R E P O R T I N G P E R I O D · O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 – M A R C H 2 0 2 7Building a pipeline of finance-ready farmersA capacity assessment of 105 fish entrepreneurs set out exactly what they needed to become creditworthy. The project built that capability first, on budgeting, recordkeeping, business planning and loan documentation, as the route to credit.Farmers completed financial literacy and business trainingDistricts covered by the FORWARD Microfinance agreementLending target to 300 borrowers under the agreementFarmers surveyed by the MEL team had already taken loans, mainly for seed and feed, so the appetite for credit is established. With 283 farmers now trained in budgeting, business planning and loan documentation, and two lending partnerships running, the project moves into Year 2 with a verified borrower pipeline and first disbursements in view.Facilitate the first loans to trained farmers through SAHAMATI and FORWARD Microfinance. Sign Year 2 partnerships with commercial banks and train loan officers in aquaculture risk. Deliver financial and digital literacy training through partners and refer finance-ready farmers to lenders.

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal A C T I V I T Y 6 · P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N C A M P A I G N Nutrition 626 363 23,800 P R O G R E S S I N T H I S P E R I O DWorld Food Forum Nepal and Food Shield Nepal selected 13 facilitators from 219 applicants and completed all 20 planned programmes — 7 educational, 7 community and 6 farm-level. Knowledge scores rose from 62.9% to 79.4% among students and from 46.5% to 71.9% among community participants. Sessions were delivered in Maithili and Bhojpuri where needed, with technical support from DFTQC, NAMP and fisheries research stations. Partners installed more than 100 signboards carrying nutrition and technical messages, and the project joined USSEC's Right to Protein Run in Pokhara on 19 September. F I S H I N A F A M I L I A R F O R M N E X T R E P O R T I N G P E R I O D · O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 – M A R C H 2 0 2 7Collect and analyze fish nutrition assessment data after the festival season. Co-develop nutrition messages with CFPCC and finalize the post-harvest handling materials. Complete the remaining World Food Forum sessions and mark World Fisheries Day on 21 November with FAO and CFPCC.Talking about fish where people eat itA community nutrition campaign reached schools, communities and farms across ten districts, while CFPCC agreed to co- develop nutrition messages in local languages and to take ownership of the project's post-harvest handling materials.Participants in 20 nutrition sessions across 10 districtsWomen reached, 58% of all participantsSocial media views and impressions, with 687 engagementsAt FORWARD's market days a cooking stall introduced consumers to fish momo, fish balls and fish chhoila, a familiar Nepali dishes usually made with meat. All 60 plates sold, a sign that consumers will buy fish in forms they already enjoy. Page 9

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 10 G R A N T S 18 USD 110,853 34% G R A N T S A W A R D E D B Y A C T I V I T Y Activity 1 1 Activity 2 5 Activity 4 10 Activity 5 1 Activity 6 1 E A R L Y R E S U L T S F R O M T H E F I R S T N I N E G R A N T S N I N E N E W G R A N T S S I G N E D I N S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6Eighteen grants, and a third from recipientsSince April 2026 the project has awarded 18 grants, 3 cash partnerships and 15 in-kind, worth USD 110,853. Recipients contribute USD 38,185 of that total, giving private actors a direct stake in keeping the upgraded facilities running.Grants awarded — 3 cash, 15 in-kindTotal value, including USD 72,669 project supportRecipient cost share, USD 38,185Chitwan Fish House — product losses down from 10% to 4%; monthly cut-fish sales up from 160 kg to 300 kg; regular buyers up from 25–30 to 50–60. Hira Matsya Hatchery — pangasius hatchling mortality down from 50–60% to about 20%; nursery stocking tripled to 1.5 million fingerlings. Janakpur live fish market — 13 retailers now trading from aerated tanks; daily sales up from 1,200–1,500 kg to 1,500– 2,000 kg. Machha Gaun Krishak Samuha — about 35 farmers in Madi dry underused local fish into fishmeal for farm-made feed, lowering feed costs.The second round covers hatchery and fingerling production, a live fish market upgraded in partnership with a ward office, feed storage and packaging, water supply for fish farmers, fish processing and post-harvest management. Procurement began before 30 September and installation continues into the next period.

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal C O M M U N I C A T I O N S & K N O W L E D G E M A N A G E M E N TMaking the work visible, yet verifiableCommunications shifted with the project, from promotional material to field products: record books, job aids, site signage, consent-based photography and case studies that can stand up to technical and monitoring checks. 1,000Pond management record books distributed to farmers 56Demonstration pond signboards in 29 municipalities 8 of 10One-Stop Service Center signboards installed W H A T W A S P R O D U C E DThe communications plan was updated in July 2026 to prioritise field products and evidence collection over duplicative promotional materials. A further 1,000 Good Aquaculture Practices booklets were reprinted for farmers, field facilitators and trainers. A field documentation mission from 22 June to 3 July built a visual repository supporting technical learning, grant verification and USDA- compliant reporting. A short project introduction video was assembled for government and stakeholder communication. A structured success-story template and consent process were introduced, and partners were guided on USDA marking, approved logos and equipment branding. S I G N B O A R D S B Y P A R T N E R FORWARD 17Sunsari, Morang MADE-Nepal 14Rupandehi, Chitwan, Parasi CFWA 12Dhanusa, Siraha, Mahottari JJYC 7Bara, Sarlahi, Rautahat RRAFDC 6Parsa, Bara Total · 56 signboards in 29 municipalities A L S O I N T H E F I E L DPartners installed more than 100 additional signs carrying nutrition and technical messages at farm, hatchery, service and market locations. Farmer training sessions and the September tilapia hatchery training were documented on video for learning and communications use. Page 11

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 12 M E L U P D A T E S 2,840 7 9 of 21 S Y S T E M A N D C A P A C I T YA three-day MEL launch workshop in April brought all five partners onto a common framework of tools, protocols and data-quality rules. Registration forms, informed consent procedures and demographic tools were developed for about 13 categories of value chain actors. A unique farmer identification system now links demographic records, training attendance and beneficiary information for longitudinal tracking. The Results Framework was approved in February 2026, and the Evaluation Plan and Performance Monitoring Plan in March 2026. The annual survey design, sampling frame and digital form were finalised and tested with CGA Technologies in late September. S T U D I E S U N D E R W A Y C O U N T I N G W I T H C O N F I D E N C EA measurement system that can carry the evidenceThe reporting period built the monitoring, evaluation and learning architecture the project will report against: approved frameworks, digital registration, unique participant identity, and the first routine studies on feed efficiency and access to finance.Farmers registered in the 3D digital platformDemographic data forms digitalized and deployedIndicators to be reported from the annual surveyA routine feed conversion ratio assessment covering about 370 farmers and a rapid access-to-finance assessment of about 280 farmers are being analysed. Both will shape Year 2 technical and financial service design. Work with Pathway Technologies on digital farmer diaries and a business-to-business marketplace continued, alongside further analysis of the MATSYA baseline.MEL is reconciling partner registration records with training attendance so that every participant is counted once against USDA Food for Progress indicators. The participant database with unique IDs launches next period, giving the project verified, traceable numbers from Year 2 onwards.

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal P A R T N E R U P D A T E Community Family Welfare Association · Janakpurdham, Dhanusa Dhanusa · Mahottari · Siraha 8 municipalities Year 1 target: 690 farmers 690 19 58% H I G H L I G H T S O F T H E P E R I O D J A N A K P U R L I V E F I S H M A R K E T W H A T W O R K E DCFWAFarmers completed both training modules; Achieved 100% of targetDemonstration ponds, including 5 with automated aeratorsFry survival in nursery demonstrations, against 30–35% beforeModule 1 training on pre-stocking and stocking management reached all 690 farmers through 28 batches between April and June; Module 2 followed in September, covering post-stocking management, post-harvest handling, biosecurity, pond problem response and access to finance, and drew 770 attendances, which is 80 more than the registered cohort. 14 demonstration ponds were set up across the eight municipalities: 10 commercial ponds stocked with 100 g advanced fingerlings at 600 per kattha, and 4 nursery ponds stocked with 5–7-day hatchlings. Two completed nursery demonstrations recorded fry survival of 58.8% in Janakpur-12 and 58.3% in Basudevpatti-5, well above the 30–35% farmers achieved under their earlier practice. 5 automated demonstration ponds with time-based fountain aerators were established under MoU, and 9 drag nets were procured for 9 farmer groups, easing harvesting costs for about 225 farmers. 2 One-Stop Service Centres signed MoUs; New Krishna Agro Centre in Janakpurdham and Jan-Aastha Agro Farm in Dhangadhimai. They received water-quality testing kits and farmer registers.Thirteen retailers at the Bashiya Road live fish market received 13 fiberglass tanks, 450 ft of hand pump pipe and head, 9 digital weighing machines, 13 aprons and 13 buckets under an LWR grant, with the retailers completing their own cost-share contribution before handover.Hands-on sessions at the pond, on liming, fertilising, feed formulation and feeding, which was carried further than classroom teaching, with follow-up visits to two or three farmers in every group.Conducting practical-based Training of Trainers (ToT) among Aquaculture Field Facilitators before they disperse and training village farmersGlimpse of Stakeholder Meeting in Janakpur, Dhanusha Page 13

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 14 P A R T N E R U P D A T EFORWARD Forum for Rural Women Ardency Development · Duhabi, Sunsari Morang · Sunsari 7 municipalities Year 1 target: 690 farmers 690 17 24% H I G H L I G H T S O F T H E P E R I O D A C O M M O N T A B L E I N B I R A T N A G A R W H A T W O R K E DFarmers trained; 100% of target, 165 of them womenDemonstration ponds against a target of 14Women’s share of participants, the highest of the five partnersAn integrated training package covering site selection, pre-stocking, stocking and post-stocking management was delivered to 28 farmer groups beside the demonstration ponds, closing the year at the full Year 1 target of 690 farmers. 17 demonstration ponds were established on a cost-sharing basis, 9 grow-out and 8 nursery; with the nursery share deliberately raised to build local fish seed supply. Liming, fertilization, water-quality monitoring and feed delivery were completed across all of them. 5 automated aerators were installed at Barju, Gadhi, Inaruwa and Rangeli, two of them at hatchery demonstration sites, with farmers contributing a cost share. 2 One-Stop Service Centres, one in each district, opened with MoUs, business plans, display boards, water-quality testing equipment and information materials. Market Days in Sunsari and Morang showcased value-added fish products and offered live pond-water testing for dissolved oxygen, pH and ammonia; an exposure visit took 13 farmers to three producing farms.The District-Level Coordination Meeting on 12 August brought 99 participants together, including 31 fish farmers, 34 local body representatives, 16 government officials, 4 feed mills, hatcheries, nurseries, traders, FNCCI, a microfinance institution and media. It covered both current working areas and municipalities being considered for Year 2.Exposure visits, demonstration sites and Market Days connected farmers to technologies, inputs and service providers far more effectively than instruction alone.Information dissemination on SPS, fish value-added products, and market practices during the Market DayAerator installation and demonstration at a fish pond

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal P A R T N E R U P D A T EJJYC Jana Jagaran Youth Club · Kalaiya, Bara Bara · Rautahat · Sarlahi 6 municipalities Year 1 target: 420 farmers 424 212 127 H I G H L I G H T S O F T H E P E R I O D S O Y F E E D A L R E A D Y H A S A L O C A L B A S E W H A T W O R K E DFarmers trained; 101% of target, all three modules deliveredFarmers and market actors trained in PHH, HACCP and SPSValue chain actors mapped against a target of 68All three farmer training modules were completed by the end of September: pre-stocking and stocking, then mid-season management, feeding and disease control, then harvesting, grading, icing, packaging and transport to market. Post-harvest handling, HACCP and SPS training reached 212 farmers and market actors, meeting the target in full, and the Aquaculture Seasonal Calendar was printed and distributed to all 424 farmers. Stakeholder mapping across Bara, Parsa and Rautahat identified 127 value chain actors, and three district coordination meetings drew 125 participants from local government, hatcheries, feed mills and traders. 2 One-Stop Service Centres signed MoUs and held service workshops, including Shree Sungabha Machha Krishi Sahakari in Kolhabi, which received a water testing kit and business support. All 8 demonstration ponds were established, monitored and fitted with visibility boards; five farmers were selected for automated fountain aerators, and two hatcheries and a nursery received capacity upgrades and water- quality kits.Of 120 farmers interviewed in Kolhabi, 42 already make their own feed from soybean powder with rice bran and mustard oil cake. The local feed mill was assessed by the project’s feed formulation consultant, and U.S. soy-based feed was promoted at the Fish Market Day, which the deputy mayor attended alongside producers and buyers.Farmers engage where services are visible. Water quality testing, pond monitoring and regular group discussion with municipal stakeholders built trust and local ownership.Aquaculture Field Facilitator testing water quality of farmer’s pond as a part of field-level technical supportFish Market Day Page 15

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 16 P A R T N E R U P D A T EMADE-Nepal Multi-Dimensional Action for Development · Bharatpur, Chitwan Chitwan · Rupandehi · Parasi 8 municipalities Year 1 target: 720 farmers 721 2,163 26% H I G H L I G H T S O F T H E P E R I O D M O N O S E X T I L A P I A , V E R I F I E D W H A T W O R K E DFarmers trained — 100% of target, 232 of them womenIndirect participants reached across three districtsPangasius fry survival at Saksham Sahani, up from about 5%Module 1 reached 698 farmers through 42 batches by June, and Module 2 reached 721 through 29 batches by September, covering pond management, feed, fish health, water quality, harvest and post-harvest handling and SPS practice. Pangasius fry survival at Saksham Sahani Matsya Hatchery rose from about 5% to 26% after technical support and improved management; grant support strengthened nursery management at Hira Matsya Hatchery and processing capacity at Chitwan Fish House. 5 farmers were selected under the Automated Demo Pond Programme and aerator installation was completed; all 14 demonstration ponds now carry visibility boards. Institutional MoUs were completed with Agriculture and Forestry University, TU Paklihawa Campus, CAARP and two One-Stop Service Centres, each supported with technical equipment. 7 pH meters and 9 ammonia test kits were distributed to field facilitators, and 2 CFPCC-approved technical leaflets were printed in 750 copies, with 721 handed out during farmer training.Collaboration with CAARP gave the project working access to tilapia breeding and sex- reversal technology. Technical verification of the sex-reversed sample showed approximately 95% male fish, and project technical staff and stakeholders were trained in the breeding and sex-reversal procedure.Practical, field-based extension worked best — timely water quality monitoring, demonstration-based learning and continued follow-up after each training module.A local farmer assessing pond fertility using Sechhi Disk after the on-site training received from Aquaculture Field FacilitatorStripping of male broodstock during sampling of Pangasius broodstock for breeding at Saksham Sahani Fish Hatchery, Nawalparasi

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal P A R T N E R U P D A T ERRAFDC Rural Region and Agro-Forestry Development Centre · Kalaiya, Bara Bara · Parsa 4 municipalities Year 1 target: 330 farmers 336 7 5 H I G H L I G H T S O F T H E P E R I O D STAKEHOLDERS AROUND ONE TABLE W H A T W O R K E D W H A T W O R K E DFarmers completed the second module; 102% of targetDemonstration ponds carried through to harvestAutomatic aerators installed under private-sector MoUsThe first training module reached 345 farmers by May, and the second was completed in 15 sessions across August and September, bringing the cumulative total to 336 against a Year 1 target of 330. All 7 demonstration ponds were carried through to harvest, with growth sampling, water-quality monitoring and feed support along the way. 5 MoUs were signed with private-sector partners on automated aquaculture technologies, and five automatic aerators were installed with technical assistance and follow-up. 3 farmers selected for hatchery and nursery upgrading received 50 m drag nets, pH and ammonia testing kits, weighing balances and Secchi disks. 2 One-Stop Service Centres signed agreements and received business planning and management support; seasonal calendars went to 335 farmers and visibility boards were installed at demonstration ponds, automated sites and the service centres.Stakeholder meetings in Bara and Parsa brought together local government, fish and feed suppliers, agro-vets, the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce, the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Centre, an ice factory and an insurance company, strengthening the links that carry aquaculture services and market support into the two districts.Short, focused and practical interactions improved farmer engagement, and simple record-keeping formats reinforced during routine monitoring made results verifiable.Group photograph of farmers, USDA team, LWR team, and RRAFDC representatives after completion of the village-level trainingWomen farmer feeding fish in the demonstration pond Page 17

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 18 S U C C E S S S T O R I E S M O R A N G From guesswork to a planned pond 395 g 800 7 C H I T W A N 200–250 → 350Two ponds, two decisionsDemonstration ponds are where advice becomes evidence. These two farmers, in Morang and Chitwan, changed one thing each; how they stock, and how they aerate. Raj Kumari Rajbanshi, 56, farms 3.2 kattha in Rangeli–2 and belongs to the Daulatapur Matshya Krishak Samuh. She used to buy fish by weight through local middlemen, without knowing the species, number or size she was stocking, and growth was slow. Under her demonstration pond she stocked 800 advanced fingerlings of seven carp species on recorded dates, and now samples growth with her field facilitator. At the second sampling, silver carp had grown from 87.5 g to 395 g in 49 days, bighead carp from 112.5 g to 360 g in 46 days, and common carp from 55 g to 250 g in 59 days. Her pond has become a practical learning site for other farmers in the community, and she plans to pass on what she has learned.Silver carp at second sampling, from 87.5 g in 49 daysAdvanced fingerlings stocked, seven species, known datesSpecies tracked individually in the pond recordForty years of fish farming, one night-time problem solved Purna KC has run Pratistha Machha Farm in Madi–7 for more than 40 years. Low dissolved oxygen repeatedly killed fish and capped his stocking at 200–250 fish per kattha. Conventional paddlewheel aerators must be switched on by hand at 2–3 a.m., and his ponds are far from his house. The automated aerator installed on his demonstration pond runs by itself on preset conditions. Since installation there has been no oxygen-related mortality, he has raised stocking to 350 fish per kattha, and growth across the carp species has visibly improved.“Since MADE-Nepal installed an aerator in my demo pond, I am now stocking 350 fish per kattha without any oxygen deficiency, and I can clearly see that the fish are growing much faster than before.” Purna KC, Pratistha Machha Farm, Madi–7, ChitwanFish stocked per kattha, before and after automated aeration

Modernizing Aquaculture in Nepal D A T A S T U D I OProgress in numbers · April – September 2026 2,941Farmers trained 33Municipalities 85Demonstration ponds 18Grants awarded F A R M E R S T R A I N E D A G A I N S T Y E A R 1 T A R G E T , B Y P A R T N E R MADE-Nepal 720 721 CFWA 690 770 FORWARD 690 690 JJYC 420 424 RRAFDC 330 336 Year 1 target Farmers trained P A R T I C I P A T I O N O F W O M E N 19% of the farmers trained were women 556 women 2,385 menof 2,941 farmers trained across five partner areas W H A T C H A N G E D W H E R E T H E P R O J E C T I N V E S T E D Pangasius hatchling mortality · Hira Matsya Hatchery 50–60% → 20% Nursery survival after transfer · Hira Matsya Hatchery 5–10% → 60–70% Fry survival in nursery demonstrations · CFWA 30–35% → 58% Product losses · Chitwan Fish House 10% → 4% Daily sales · Janakpur live fish market 1,200–1,500 kg → 1,500–2,000 kg S Y S T E M S A N D S E R V I C E S B U I L T T H I S P E R I O D 10One-Stop Service Centers 4Carp breeding nuclei 9Feed formulations 4SPS curricula approved 283Farmers trained in finance 626Nutrition campaign participants 42Partner field staff deployed 2,840Farmers registered in 3D Page 19

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Page 20 Lutheran World Relief Nepal · Lalitpur, Nepal · Tel +977 9851354235 · MKarim@lwr.org Implemented with CFWA · FORWARD · JJYC · MADE-Nepal · RRAFDC Photographs and stories are published with the consent of the people shown. G A L L E R YThis newsletter was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food for Progress Program. The contents are the responsibility of Lutheran World Relief and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Government.Ms. Dayana Bray representing USDA exploring project site in Rupandehi accompanied by Dr. Manjurul, COPPHOTO FEATURESCourtesy visit by Senior Leaders from Corus/LWR at Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock DevelopmentCourtesy visit by Senior Leaders from Corus/LWR at Department of LivestockCourtesy visit by COP and DCOP at Center for Fisheries Promotion and Conservation CenterA group photo after commencing Seed Quality Workshop among Hatchery OwnersMr. Kiran Ojha, Country Director, addressing project team and partners during MEL Kick-Off WorkshopA panel discussion on Soy Trade, Import-Export Linkages, Feed Industry & Enabling Policy Environment, during Soy-based Feed Millers Workshop, conducted in collaboration with USSECA flex banner featuring fish nutrition messaging displayed on 5 Run for Protein, in partnership with USSEC thA Group Photo during Strategic Stakeholder Workshop on Project Progress and Roadmap, conducted in collaboration with CFPCC