Altogether some 100 new oat cultivars were introduced into Nepal over the 2 year project period. Initially the 10 best bet cultivars were selected and tested at 8 locations in 5 districts using a farmer participatory approach. Others were introduced, tested and selected during the project lifetime. By project end specific oat cultivars were selected for specific sites and this is the first time that this has been achieved in Nepal. The recommended cultivars by site: Banke 83INC-19G3, NZ92169,01, Kent-Nepal; Inaruwa Awapuni, NZ92176,03, Canadian; Pokhara Kent-Nepal, Canadian, 83INC1943; Dhading Awapuni, NZ9217302, NZ9217603; Kavre Awapuni, Canadian, Kent-Nepal; Bhorle Awapuni, Hokonui, Longford; Dhaibung Awapuni, Stampede, NZ92169,01. Training and the adoption of better techniques resulted in yields of green fodder oats being raised from the Nepal average of 12 tons to 41 tons/hectare. However, sustainability of cropping systems will require more attention to legumes and soil building practices.

Beyond the outputs are the important OUTCOMES and IMPACTS of the project. After only 2 years what measurable impact did the project have on poor farmers’ livelihoods?
As well as introducing new technologies and the very comprehensive training programme the project carried out a survey among the cooperating farmers. While data remain to be fully analyzed results to date show that the net additional income of participating farmers using fodder oats for winter feeding is NRs 1,400-2010 per month per buffalo (per farmer) with an additional 2 litres of milk per day. As an example – see Table 1 – in Riyale the additional income was NRs 1,470 (US$21). Costs of concentrate inputs have been reduced by 50% because of the availability of good quality green feed. Where small bag silage (an additional simple technology that was added to the project and which farmers have quickly adopted) is used in the diet this is shown to give a net profit of NRs 1350 per animal per month. Also, there are many other very significant but less apparent benefits such as:

- with cultivated fodder now produced much closer to farmers’ homes there is a reduction in labour of up to 3.5 hours daily required by women householders to find and harvest fodder for feeding their livestock;
- women therefore have more time for child minding and vegetable growing for home use and cash sales, and maybe some rest;
- a reduction in the number of disputes arising from competition between fodder seekers on common areas;
- improved animal health;
- improved animal fertility;
- greater consistency in milk yield throughout the lactation;
- cultivar integrity and seed quality maintained because of the NARC seed buy-back system;
- better seed availability as farmers can trade seed or save seed for their own use. This should ensure that seed of new promising cultivars should be more readily available.

This was a very successful project with direct impact on farm family livelihoods. The work is on-going through NARC and DLS.

Table 1. Economic benefit from oats
Cost of milk production and net income from oats in Riyale (2001-2004).

Feed Stuffs	Without Oats	With Oats
Straw/Stover	11 kg = Rs. 55	10 kg = Rs. 50
Green fodder other than oat	38 kg = Rs.28	38 kg = Rs.28
Dhuto ( Rice bran)	2 kg = Rs.14	1 kg = Rs.7
Concentrate	3 kg = Rs.33	1.5 kg = Rs.16
Oat fodder	-	13 kg = Rs.10
Total feed costs	Rs.130	Rs.121
Milk Production per buffalo/day	8 Litre = Rs.160	10 Litre = Rs. 200
Cost per litre of milk	Rs. 16.25	Rs. 12.10
Net income/month	Rs. 900 = US$ 13	Rs. 2370 = US$ 34

More information
Field projects