Practical Action support farming communities in Nepal through climate innovation
Through their three-year UK Aid Match project, Practical Action has supported Nepali farmers to take charge of their futures, adopting sustainable agricultural practices to overcome climate challenges and improve their livelihoods.
In rural Nepal, smallholder farmers – particularly women – face immense challenges as unpredictable rainfall, extended droughts, and rising temperatures restrict farming options and therefore limit their income. However, with the introduction of innovative climate-smart practices, farmers are adapting and thriving.
With funds raised through their UK Aid Match appeal, Practical Action has established climate field schools across three rural districts in Nepal. These schools are each led by a trained farmer ‘leader’, who provides knowledge and training on commercial vegetable farming, agroecology and regenerative agricultural practices. More than 1,000 farmer leaders are now using sustainable techniques like composting and bio-fertilizers to improve soil health and decrease reliance on chemical pesticides. Some of the climate schools introduced devices such as electric corn shellers and farm rakes, saving farmers valuable time and labour, giving them the opportunity to participate in other activities within the community.
Photograph: Farmers collecting tomatoes from their tomato plants
The programme has also improved water access by introducing an innovative solar-powered irrigation system. This has enabled farmers to be more productive and grow crops across all weathers, stabilising and increasing their income. Bishnu Oli, a woman farmer from Pariwartan village, said:
“We used to face severe water shortages, with no access to water, and the drought felt endless. We could barely farm and often had to rely on vegetables in the market for a meal. But with the solar irrigation system from the project, we now have water and can grow crops in multiple seasons.”
Photograph: Market operation in Nigalpani, Tribeni
Alongside the introduction of climate smart agriculture, women farmers have been supported to take on leadership roles within their communities and have their voices heard. More than 2,000 women have actively engaged in local government and cooperative planning, implementation, and monitoring activities, strengthening their roles in community decision-making. They have also participated in policy discussions, advocating for community and agricultural improvements.
This emphasis on inclusion and empowerment is key to the programme’s vision of long-term, sustainable change. By equipping farmers with climate-smart techniques, strengthening local leadership through peer-to-peer learning, and empowering women to take on active leadership roles within their communities, the programme is building resilience that will hopefully last into the future. With these tools and knowledge, farmers are not just adapting to climate change but driving change in their lives and communities.
