General Background:
Experience has shown that managerial and technological innovations
are seldom effective if introduced in isolation. They depend for their
success on the conducive conditions created through institutional
and policy changes. Until the Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) there
was no official mandate for government departments in Nepal to work
with user’s groups or users committees. Initiatives to adopt community
oriented approaches by developing a policy guidelines and directives
were taken up under the Decentralization Policy in 1989. The policy
directives were later revised and in the Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97)
due emphasis has been given on maximizing community participation
in all aspects of project implementation.
It has been proved time and time again that any development works
executed without assessing social needs and priorities are not been
able to realize the desired benefits. Social mapping thus is being
accepted nowadays as a pre-requisite to any development projects targeted
towards improving the quality of life of a man in particular and the
society in general.
MULTI’s involvement in this sector coincides with
evolvement of these policy guidelines. Accordingly, this firm has
in recent years mobilized its resources to focus on following type
of software project component; particularly in irrigation, water supply
and sanitation, transportation, soil conservation, forestry, environment,
education, health, family planning, electrification and energy development
projects.: Baseline Studies, Impact Studies, Feasibility Studies,
Needs Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation, Community Participation,
Resource Mobilization, and Institutional Development.
MULTI has a strong in-house team of well experienced staff consisting
of sociologists, economists, legal advisors, and trained field staff
including research assistants and enumerators/association organizers.
The method adopted by MULTI in undertaking these studies usually consists
of following types of techniques: Joint Participatory Observation,
Household Survey, Key Informant Survey Rapid and Participatory Rural
Appraisals (RRA/PRA), and Focus Group Discussions.
MULTI’s commendable expertise in data processing and analysis could
be attributed to its rich computer lab facilities. The firm possess
large number of modern hardware units sufficient for handling any
large scale data base along with suitable software packages such as
dBase V, FOXPRO 2.5, Sytat, SPSS etc. Its personnel have substantial
experience in data base management and are capable to develop software
modules, as required.
Major Projects
Most of the assignments in this sector have been undertaken while
executing projects in the irrigation, water supply and sanitation,
transportation, integrated watershed management and other infrastructure
development projects. Projects undertaken by MULTI in this sector
can be categorized as;
(A) Experience in Development Research
(B) Experience with Community Participation
(C) Institutional Strengthening/Resource Mobilization
(C) Experience in Training Related Activities
Socio-economic Baseline Survey of Parbat and Kaski District; JICA;
1996:
MULTI was entrusted by JICA to conduct socio-economic baseline survey
in the five model areas of Parbat and Kaski districts. A total of
8,140 households belonging to 307 wards of 43 VDCs in Parbat and Kaski
districts was surveyed. The survey also included interview with a
total of 18,300 family members belonging to these households. Besides,
729 key informants along with several agencies and their officials
were interviewed for the administrative survey; leading to the preparation
of wardwise and VDC wise profile of the concerned wards and VDCs.
An estimated 129,000 people of the study area incorporating the two
districts were expected to be directly influenced through this study.
Impact Evaluation of Seti Zone Integrated Rural Development Project,
HMGN/ADB, July to Dec. 1995:
MULTI in association with NEW ERA was employed by MLD/HMGN for (a)
socio-economic impact evaluation (b) assessment on achievement of
project’s targets and goals (c) review project concept and design,
and (d) review project implementation and management of this ADB financed
integrated development project covering five districts of the Seti
zone. This project consisted of four components namely i) transport
infrastructure; ii) deep tubewell irrigation; iii) agricultural support
facilities; and iv) rural development support facilities. The overall
objective of the project was to increase food and cash crop production
and provide rural employment opportunities.
Sunsari Morang Irrigation Project Stage - III; IDA/DOI; 1994-95:
MULTI was engaged as the local associates of Nippon Koei; Japan for
the feasibility study along with detail design for the project implementation
based upon Joint Participatory Approach. The study included detail
design for sample area of 1350 ha, which involves formation of 50
WUAs; one for each water course serving 28 ha (net). WUAs were actively
involved in discussing the canal alignments for survey including joint
walk-through and committed themselves to share the construction cost
and management of the system including O & M along with water
management activities. Field training of Assosiation Organizers and
beneficiary farmers as well as tri-patriate agreement (Executing Agency,
WUA & Consultant) were concluded for the sustainable institutional
development. Moreover, socio-economic and agricultural survey were
conducted for around 2500 households.
Rani, Jamara & Kulariya (RJK) Irrigation Project(IBRD/DOI) 1993-94:
MULTI conducted the feasibility and detailed design study of this
70 years old FMIS in the Far-Western Region of Nepal. Altogether 65
professional man-months were involved in the design of new permanent
intake on Karnali river, new feeder canal, improvement of existing
canals and drainage system, socio-economic survey (435 households),
agriculture studies and extension services detail soil, geological,
hydrogeological studies and environmental impact assessment. All pertinent
activities were conducted in close consultation with the WUAs and
as per their consent and approval.
Bagmati Command Area Development Project, ADB/HMG, 1992:
The main objective of the study was to prepare a feasibility report
on command area development,covering the gross area of 48,700 ha (Stage-I).
The project was undertaken in association with Nippon Koei and Sir
Williams Halcrow & Partners. In addition to detailed topographical
survey of 600 ha sample area, MULTI provided consulting services for
the Project Benefit Monitoring and Evaluation Study to continuously
assess the impact of project on production and socioeconomic conditions
of the beneficiaries. Specific measures for poverty alleviation and
enhancement of the role of women in the project area were also identified.
The study comprised of 1400 randomly selected household survey, interview
with water users' groups, agriculture and socio-economic studies,
cost and returns for major crops and energy use pattern study.
East Rapti Irrigation Project, ADB/HMG, 1986:
MULTI was assigned for the socio-economic benchmark survey of the
project. The study was a part of feasibility study undertaken by Nippon
Koei Co. Ltd., Japan. The work included random sample household survey
of 506 households in the project area, data collection which included
demography, land use, irrigation system, agriculture support system,
energy consumption pattern, market facilities, price of farm input
and output, and social infrastructure. The collected data were entered
into computer using dBase software and proceesed through a stastistical
package.
Irrigation Sub-sector Data - Base (CIWEC), 1983:
MULTI provided consulting services to the Canadian International Water
and Energy Consultant in data gathering exercise as the first stage
in the long-term undertaking to be dealt later on by the proposed
planning unit of DIHM. The job included; reviewed existing data base
and formulated framework for the new data base network, updating the
project information base and interview with personnel associated with
the irrigation projects and related works.
Infrastructure Improvement Works in Gorkha Conservation Area, DOA/ADB,
1993-1996:
The objective of the consulting survices was to provide detailed design,
tender documents and construction supervision for the improvement
of infrastructural works in the Gorkha Conservation Area so as to
support the tourism industry. The area around tourist trail from bus
park to tindhara square via thulo angan was concentrated for works
such as stone pavement, water supply and sanitation including toilets,
storm water and sullage drains, steps improvement, soft landscaping
and street lighting. To promote community participation, association
of benificiaries were formed and encouraged to discuss various alternatives
for the proposed works. Following these discussions during the design
phase, the most favourite solution was proposed to be adopted. The
benificiary’s committee took active part during the construction phase
and were involved in all aspect of construction works.
Infrastructure Improvement Works in Swayambhu Area of Kathmandu DOA/GTZ,
1993-1996:
Based on the recommendation of the master plan (also prepared by MULTI),
the project aims to improve the water supply, sanitation, surface
dressing, and solid waste collection and disposal, surface cleansing,
surface drain, surface paving and rehabilitation of ponds and wells.
The TOR included formation of viable and sustainable institutional
arrangement who will take full responsibility of operation and maintenance
of the completed construction, O&M costs and cost recovery mechanism
and resource mobilization. MULTI was involved in the formation of
Federation of Swayambhu Management and Conservation (FSMC) comprising
of 15 existing local organizations. An user’s group under FSMC and
having representation of member organizations was established and
were involved in the identification of improvement works, conceptual
and detailed design along with construction activities.
Sankhu Development Project, GTZ, 1986:
MULTI was entrusted by GTZ to undertake studies designed to develop
Sankhu, a historical and cultural town located 18 km from the Capital,
as a service center and hinterland to Kathmandu city by strengthening
local institutional capabilities for self reliant development. The
services provided by MULTI included:
Collection of existing socio-economic parameters of the Sankhu Area;
Identification of infrastructure improvement works;
Project planning overview and operational planning;
Institution building to create user groups, operationalization of
service center and formation of Sankhu Development Committee;
Mobilization of local resources;
Instituting decentralized planning and implementation.
Corporate Planning & Management Information System for Butwal
Power Company (BPC) - 1995:
MULTI prepared a Corporate Plan and Management Information system
for BPC, which included information on historic financial records,
personnel, and budget etc. New accounting coding system were developed.
The system facilitates early assessment of financial indicators for
BPC.
Corporate Planning & Management Information System for Nepal Water
Supply Corporation (NWSC), 1994:
MULTI prepared a corporate Plan and Management Information System
for NWSC which included information on historic financial records,
personnel and budget. Account coding system were also developed.
Store Improvement and Procurement, Nepal Water Supply Corporation,
1994 - 1995:
All the inventory of the NWSC store were coded for easy computer entry
and retrieval. A program was prepared to facilitate easy data entry
and retrieval of the different items in the store for efficient stock
control system
Project Preparation Studies and Management Support of Third Water
Supply and Sanitation Sector Project; (ADB/DWSS):
Project Preparation Studies; 1991: MULTI was directly engaged by ADB
to prepare implementation proposals covering 128 potential sub-projects
including people's participation (particularly by women and NGOs)
and financing arrangements with the use of revolving funds and rural
credit systems
Management Support; 1993-1997:
MULTI is engaged by the Department of Water Supply (DWSS) to provide
project management advisory services to improve water supply and sanitation
in the rural areas of Eastern, Mid-western and Far-western Regions
of Nepal. The job involves review of feasibility study, appraisal
and selection of sub-projects for implementation, quality control,
pre-construction, construction and post-construction management, institutional
development, staff training and Bank disbursement schedule preparation.
This project has so far successfully involved beneficiary groups from
the project conception to O&M phase
Management Support and Service Improvement for NWSC, Kathmandu, (UNDP/World
Bank),1987-1988:
Included preparation of 15 year comprehensive development plan for
NWSC, institutional strengthening, identification of component need,
qualification, costing, annual investment, programming, development
of work program and prioritization. The work involved provision of
management, operational and training support to NWSC including distribution
system remodelling, rehabilitation and network extension works, devising
water billing and reporting systems, improvement of water quality
by identifying ways to reduce iron content, leakage and wastage reduction
and rehabilitation of the sources as well as the network including
machineries.
Institutional Management and Tariff Study
for Bharatpur Water Supply Project, (UDLE/GTZ), 1994:
Bharatpur municipality is fast growing as a trade and industrial center.
MULTI was entrusted to conduct a study for the development of an organizational
and management set up for the operation and maintenance of the system
and recommend the level, structure, and collection of tariff for sustainable
operation and maintenance and cost recovery for capital investment.
Institutional Management and Tariff Study for Dhulikhel Town Water
Supply Project, (Dhulikhel Municipality), 1989-1990: The work involved
review of the past practices of water supply management by NWSC and
DWSC including the tariff structure vis-a-vis the existing institution
settings at Dhulikhel and recommendation of a tariff structure for
water supply and sanitation.
Preparation of AO’s Training Manual (IMD/DOI/USAID),
1995:
The main purpose of HMG’s Irrigation Policy 2049 is to adopt uniform
procedure for the involvement of peoples participation in all stages
of irrigation development. This requires catalyst input of an institutional
development personnel such as Association Organizers, who are assigned
to facilitate formation of WUA’s as required by the policy. MULTI
was entrusted by the HRDTB (DOI) to prepare a training manual for
AO’s which could facilitate comprehensive training to produce skilled
man power capable of implementing the policy effectively. The manual
covered (i) Pre-training, (ii) Programme development, (iii) Programme
implementation, (iv) Field assignment and (v) Monitoring evaluation
and feed back phases of training. A total of 39 numbers of Session
Guides, 39 Session Plans and 28 Handout Notes were prepared together
with other pertinent training materials.
