For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
ForestAction Nepal, as the secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food (AAF), in collaboration with Jilla Prangarik Sangh, organized an interaction program titled “Organic Agriculture: Scope and Challenges” on 19 April 2026 in Rapti Municipality, Chitwan. The program was attended by around 40 participants from diverse backgrounds, mainly local farmers, local representatives, and representatives from ForestAction Nepal, AAF, and Jilla Prangarik Sangh, who are committed to advancing organic agriculture.
The session began with a presentation by Sunil Bhandari, who outlined the initiatives of AAF and ForestAction Nepal in promoting organic agriculture from the field to the policy level, with a focus on strengthening research, capacity building, and policy advocacy. This was followed by Mr. Chandra Prasad Adhikari, President of the District Organic Federation, Chitwan, who shared his experiences in organic farming and emphasized the importance of strong local federations to unify farmers and amplify their voices. Mr. Uddhav Adhikari, Coordinator of AAF, highlighted the need for collective action and collaboration among stakeholders to advance farmers’ concerns from the local to the national level. Addressing the session, Mr. Shamsher Lama, Mayor of the municipality, responded to participants’ queries by clarifying the municipality’s role, ongoing efforts, and plans for promoting organic farming. He also shared his personal experiences and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting organic farmers.
A seven-member municipal-level committee was formed, led by farmers from within the community, to work in a collaborative approach in the production and marketing of their produce, while also building wider networks with farmers from other regions. The program concluded with a shared understanding of the need to strengthen coordination among farmers, organizations, and policymakers to overcome challenges and expand the scope of organic agriculture in Nepal.
