The Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) aims to facilitate the transformation of a subsistence-based rural agricultural economy into a sustainable value chain and market-driven productive sector by promoting climate-smart approaches in agriculture and strengthening the capacities of communities and local institutions.  It builds on prior IFAD interventions focused on increased agricultural production and makes a basic shift in approach towards marketing and climate-resilient farming practices.

CARLEP’s approach is aligned with RGOB’s 11th FYP strategy to (i) stimulate the pull factors driving climate-resilient production; (ii) build value chain systems for vegetables and dairy and a comprehensive marketing system to enhance the commercial viability of other agricultural products; and (iii) facilitate institutional linkages and policy dialogues towards commercialization of agriculture.

The total programme cost of US$ 31.526 million, over seven years, is financed by –IFAD (US$ 14.27 m), ASAP (US$ 5.023 m), RGoB (US$5.5.739 m), FCBL (US$4.802 m), and Beneficiaries (US$ 0.659 m).

*amount in Million Dollars ($)

The Programme is scheduled for seven years from 2015 to 2022. The programme area includes selected Gewogs in six eastern Dzongkhags (Lhuentse, Mongar, Pemagatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashi Yangtse, and Trashigang). The programme will benefit 28000 smallholders HHs of which 5000 HHs will directly benefit from vegetable and dairy value chains.

The Programme shall adopt two-pronged approaches – Value chain or commercialization approach in Gewogs with high production and marketing potentials and targeted intervention approach in vulnerable Gewogs to poverty and climate change impacts.