commercial farming in nepal
DESCRIPTION
Impression of long term projects for increasing incomes of Nepalese villagers as a start of developmentTRANSCRIPT
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Commercial farming in Nepala catalyst for development in backward communities
an initiative of ICFON Netherlands
implemented by ISARD, Sunkoshi Bazar, Nepal
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Introduction
ISARD Integrated Self-Help Association for Rural Development, est. 1993
Nepalese non-profit foundation working in 30 villages in Sindupalchok
Managing director Ebindra Neupane 7 staff members, a board, 100 members
ICFON International Council of Friends Of Nepal – Netherlands, est. 1991
Dutch development organisation, mainly consisting of people who visited Nepal as a tourist
Only volunteers and donorsPresentation Wilko Verbakel, Joop van Meer and Bishnu Kunwar
© ICFON Netherlands, 2011
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ISARD’s field of activity
• about 30 villages (wards), with 6 district councils (VDCs) in Sindhupalchowk district (± 25 km x 25 km)
• on the “hills”, between 900 and 2500 meters elevation• mixed population, many ethnic groups• extremely poor (< $1,25 wage per day), some don’t earn $150 per
year• mainly backward ethnic groups:
Thami, Pahari and Tamang • low cast of Bishwokarma or Dalit• impoverished higher casts
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District: SindupalchokNearest town: Bharabise± 90 km from capital Kathmandu, 20 km from Chinese border
ISARD project
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History
• Until 2010: mainly general village development,emphasis on education
• ISARD’s agricultural training focussed on crop farming for self use• Aim: healthier food and less grain crop for alcohol production
• From 2010: focus shift: priority on income and food security by improved agriculture, education will follow– vegetable farming for increasing income– diversity in stead of one-sided low value rice culture– hiring a Nepalese expert– organic agriculture, driving back the use of expensive artificial
fertilizer– more different vegetables– example- en testing facilities (e.g. green houses)– training, money savings and investments on cooperative basis
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Mixed use of scarse soil
Tomatoes in Dhuskun
Vegetable farming in Dawi on soil that was left fallow in winter, until recently
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Approach
Some farmers in the area already earned up to NRP 50.000 per year (€ 500) with vegetable farming
1) Some farmers in the poorest villages (Piskar, Tungathali, Dawi) have extra training
2) Succes stories serving as catalysts3) If necessary renting land for the poorest farmers (micro credit
facility by ISARD)4) Example fields ISARD (on rented land), to be used for training
purposes5) Costs ISARD: trainer, example fields, investment in bamboo
greenhouses and sowing seeds6) ISARD earns enough to repay by selling vegetables
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Training, on an example lot, and elsewhere
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Bamboo greenhouse, during monsoon and in cold months covered with plastic
ISARD staff Bishnu Kunwar is trainer
Example bamboo greenhouse in Tungathali
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Collective approach
Women in Tungathali distributing cuttings
ISARD staff and villager Kabita in the example greenhouse
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Manure and compost
A goat farm produces manure for the greenhouses
Children collecting leaves to compost, before going to school
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Economic aim
• Per ropani of land (500 m2) NRP 20.000 earnings per year (€ 200 per family)
• Commonly shared small green houses serving as nurseries
• Large green houses for off-season agriculture (durability 3-5 year)
• Sale of vegetables in Bharabise, cost of transport by porters and bus max. NRP 4 per kg
• Earning NRP 20 – 30 per kg• 3 crops per year
200 - 600 kg per ropani per season
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Harvest
ISARD staff administrating the harvest
Kabita Thami has learnt how to grow, from 2011 she will train her fellow villagers
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Broccoli, cauliflower, beans, bitter gourd: vegetables not grown before
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But also:
Continuation of village development:
- literacy trainings, corner stone trainings
- establishment of saving groups, micro credits
- starting schools, until government takes over
- small infrastructure (investing with villagers in buildings, water pipes etc.)
- sustainable use of soil, forest, smokeless stoves
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Sale
Women from Phaparchaur and Dawi are selling their harvests in the city of Bharabise
Kabita Thami is carrying her yield to the motorable road
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Successful farmers
Hak Bahadur Thami and Gyanu Thami earned
€ 400 in one season by growing tomatoes on rented land
In 2011 out of their profit they bought their own piece of land
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Successful farmers
Krishna Bahadur Pahari is harvesting pumpkins in Dawi
When Krishna worked as a “labour” far from home, he earned much less than now working on his own land
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Successful farmers
Sarita and Kumari Limbu are growing tomatoes on their 4 ropani of rented land
Sarita has a handicapped leg. Growing tomatoes they learned from ISARD
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Long term outlook
• No donated money or materials• Mainly transfer of knowledge• Micro credits for seeds, land, metarials• No dependence on aid• After some years sufficient income for a stable life,
no support needed from ISARD• ISARD moves on to other villages• Thanks to moderate income villagers start up schools• Every villager has access to cheap credit programs• This concept is also implemented the districts of Gorkha
and Kaski
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More information:
ICFON Foundation:
E-mail [email protected]
Website www.info.nl
Tel xx31 20 6175954 (chairman Wilko Verbakel)
Twitter @icfon