For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
Exchange visit to organic farms in Chitwan: learning from the field
ForestAction Nepal has been actively engaging in participatory action research on agroecology with farmers in Dhusa, Ichchhakamana RM, Chitwan, a journey that began as a small-scale initiative and has now evolved into a formal Community Action Group (CAG) consisting of nine lead farmers. To support this growth, ForestAction provides continuous technical backstopping and capacity-building opportunities.
As part of these efforts, on 31st March 2026, an exposure visit to successful organic farms was organized for the CAG members. The main objective of this exchange visit was to provide farmers with a platform to share experiences, observe best practices, and explore innovative approaches in chemical-free agriculture. The visit emphasized peer-to-peer learning, fostering collaboration and practical knowledge exchange among local practitioners.
First site: Prangarik Krishi Utpadan Kendra, Fulbari, Bharatpur-15
The first stop was the Prangarik Krishi Utpadan Kendra, farm of Mr. Chandra Prasad Adhikari, a leading organic farmer and a President of the District Organic Federation (Jilla Prangarik Sangh). Mr. Adhikari provided participants with a comprehensive overview of organic farming covering production systems, market access, pricing, and the broader prospects of organic agriculture at the local, national, and international levels. His insights gave the CAG members a clear understanding of current status of organic sector and the opportunities it holds for smallholder farmers practicing chemical-free farming.
Following the orientation session, participants toured the farm, observing diversified farming practices, including vermi-compost units and other sustainable production techniques.
Second site: Prabhat Prangarik Krishi Utpadan Kendra, Sukranagar, Bharatpur-24
The group then visited the Prabhat Prangarik Krishi Utpadan Kendra, owned by Mr. Chhabi Lal Neupane, a long-time practitioner of large-scale organic farming. Drawing on years of hands-on practice, he shared his experiences and key lessons in sustaining organic production. He also conducted a live demonstration of organic and natural disease and pest management techniques, offering practical and replicable insights that participants could apply on their own farms.
Key takeaways
The exchange visit was a valuable learning experience for the CAG members, reinforcing the viability of chemical-free farming and deepening their confidence in adopting and scaling up such practices on their own farm in Dhusa, Ichchhakamana. Interacting with lead organic farmers and observing their farms firsthand helped bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, strengthening the community’s commitment to sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
