Commercial farming in Nepala catalyst for development in backward communities

an initiative of ICFON Netherlands

implemented by ISARD, Sunkoshi Bazar, Nepal

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

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

District: SindupalchokNearest town: Bharabise± 90 km from capital Kathmandu, 20 km from Chinese border

ISARD project

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

Mixed use of scarse soil

Tomatoes in Dhuskun

Vegetable farming in Dawi on soil that was left fallow in winter, until recently

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

Training, on an example lot, and elsewhere

Bamboo greenhouse, during monsoon and in cold months covered with plastic

ISARD staff Bishnu Kunwar is trainer

Example bamboo greenhouse in Tungathali

Collective approach

Women in Tungathali distributing cuttings

ISARD staff and villager Kabita in the example greenhouse

Manure and compost

A goat farm produces manure for the greenhouses

Children collecting leaves to compost, before going to school

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

Harvest

ISARD staff administrating the harvest

Kabita Thami has learnt how to grow, from 2011 she will train her fellow villagers

Broccoli, cauliflower, beans, bitter gourd: vegetables not grown before

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

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

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

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

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

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

More information:

ICFON Foundation:

E-mail info@icfon.nl

Website www.info.nl

Tel xx31 20 6175954 (chairman Wilko Verbakel)

Twitter @icfon

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