Nepal: Ensure food security through sustainable practices

Project Profile

Total project need: $2,500

Local Project Leader: Balu Iyer

Project Sponsor: International Development Exchange (IDEX)

Theme: Environment

Donation Options:
$50 - 20 women trained in organic farming methods - improve soil quality and reduce costs of growing.
$100 - 15 women leaders trained to act as trainers for other members of the community.
$250 - 25 women produce good quality vegetable seeds for their use and for the community.
Other Amount? Send a check to: Sustainable Travel International, 2885 May Street, Hood River, OR 97031

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

Farming is largely subsistence-based due to poor land and cropping practices. The land is very steep and prone to landslides and erosion. Farmers rely on mono-cropping, limiting vegetable and fruit cultivation. Agriculture is overly-dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Most men migrate to the city in search of work. This places the burden of agriculture work and providing for the family on women.

Activities

Formation of women's self-help groups. Training on sustainable agriculture. The trained farmers will practice sustainable agriculture on their own farm and act as facilitators for other farmers. Material support in the form of seeds and seedlings.

Potential Long Term Impact

Help strengthen the organizational base of 75 women, improve financial situation, preserve and rejuvenate their limited natural resources and ensure sustainable production of vegetable and fodder to meet own need and generate surplus for income.

Project Message

"I was once a subsistence farmer who found it difficult to make ends meet. The sustainable farming practices have improved my land and my situation. I would like to help others get out of poverty." - Shyam Shrestha, Farmer and Trainer

Organization - ASHA Nepal

Mission

To improve the health, livelihood, education and socioeconomic status of the children and the community as a whole through: sustainable management of resources; capacity building for groups and individuals; institutionalization and advocacy for sustainable agriculture, food security, and social development.

Programs

School Health Program in public schools targeting schoolchildren, teachers, School Management Committee, parents and local health institutions. Community Health Program in the rural areas involving active participation of community members and local health institutions. Nutrition Promotion through sustainable agriculture and gardening targeting school children and local communities. Environmental programs targeting school children and community members.

Team Bios

Ram Babu Koirala - Executive Director, ASHA Nepal: Ram Babu Koirala is a trained agriculturist who believes in sustaining resources for present and future generations. Ram Babu worked with Japan International Cooperation Agency for several years before starting ASHA Nepal. Ram Babu firmly believes that with proper support and involvement of community it is possible to develop a sustainable society which is healthy and friendly to the environment.

Balu Iyer - Asia Program Director, IDEX: Balu has a Masters in Public Policy UC Berkeley. Prior to IDEX, Balu worked for six years on poverty eradication programs with ActionAid India. Before that, he worked as a Program Organizer with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program. Balu also has a Masters in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management in Anand, India.

Statistics

Founded in 1998
Employees: 6
Volunteers: 3

Contact

Balu Iyer,
Asia Program Director, IDEX
827 Valencia Street, Suite 101
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States
Phone 415-824-8384
Email asha@idex.org
Web www.idex.org

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