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Climate Finance Dilemma in Nepal: A System without Practice

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Nepal is often known for its forward-looking climate policies, along with strong advocacy of climate finance agenda in the global forums, pitching for international climate finances to build community resilience and enhance adaptive capacity. Besides being one of the top 10 vulnerable countries in the world, it is also among the first countries in the world to institutionalise climate budget tagging (CBT) in 2012, a system designed to classify and track public expenditure on climate change. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has been leading the implementation of CBT. The tagging system is applied at the project level rather than at the activity level. Under the system, projects are categorised based on their contribution to climate action as Direct, Indirect, or Neutral, and further classified into areas such as Adaptation, Mitigation, or mixed benefits. To strengthen climate finance management and tracking, the MoF approved the Climate Change Financing Framework (CCFF) in 2017.

Nepal’s Climate Change Policy, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have reinforced commitments to climate resilience and low-carbon development. The government has also promoted Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) framework to ensure bottom-up planning and vows to disburse 80% of the climate finance at the local level.

On paper, the system and frameworks are impressive and aligned with the best global practices and grounded in strong institutional thinking.

However, the ground reality tells a different story.

A system that exists, but is barely used

Across municipalities, consultations with local government officials revealed a consistent pattern: climate budget tagging exists, but it is rarely used in practice. In many cases, officials are either unaware of the system or have not received the training needed to apply effectively. Governments have made limited institutional efforts to embed CBT within local planning and budgeting processes.

This doesn’t mean climate related initiatives are not progressing. Municipalities regularly allocate budgets to sectors such as energy, agriculture, forestry, and natural resources management. However, these expenditures are not systematically tagged, tracked, or reported as climate finance. As a result, a substantial portion of climate-relevant investment remains unrecognised within formal systems.

A closure look at municipal budgets illustrates this gap. In Devchuli and Gaidakot municipalities, a preliminary analysis using the CBT framework suggests that approximately 10-15% of annual budget could be classified as climate relevant. Yet, in the absence of formal tagging, these figures remain unofficial and invisible in reporting.

Local officials themselves acknowledge this gap. One municipal officer noted, “The activities are happening, we now realised that they are climate relevant, but they are not recorded as climate actions/interventions so far.” He further added, “We prepare annual plans through participatory approach, but to my knowledge, climate tagging has not been used.” Similarly, planning officials emphasised that integrating CBT is possible, but only if technical training is provided before the planning process begins.

Climate Finance Mobilization and Distribution

Why tracking matters?

At first glance, this might look like a technical issue. But it has broader implications.

Without proper tracking:

– It becomes difficult to assess how much Nepal is investing in climate action

– The effectiveness of those investments remains unclear

– Opportunities to attract additional climate finances, especially from international sources, are reduced

Global climate finance is increasingly tied to transparency, performance and accountability. Funds like Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund expect vulnerable countries like Nepal not just make commitment but demonstrate measurable outcomes. If Nepal cannot clearly show where and how climate finance is being used, it risks losing those opportunities.

The question of equity: Who benefits from climate finance?

Nepal’s climate policies consistently emphasise support for the most vulnerable groups i.e., poor households, women, marginalised communities, and those living in climate sensitive areas. But when spending is not clearly tracked, it becomes difficult to ensure that these groups are being prioritised and benefitted. The question is; Is climate finance accessible to the most vulnerable ones? In current scenario, there is high chance that better connected or more accessible communities may receive more resources, while vulnerable populations in remove areas risk being overlooked. Without a clear system to monitor and prioritise funding, equity can easily become an aspiration rather than a reality. The absence of implementing climate budget tagging during the planning process further reinforces this imbalance.

A growing dilemma for the future

As global climate funds increasingly emphasise results-based financing, transparency, and accountability, Nepal’s ability to access and utilise these resources will depend on its capacity to track and demonstrate climate expenditures and outcomes.

Here lies the dilemma, Nepal has already developed policy and institutional framework to track climate finance, which are hardly practiced. At times when global climate finance is expanding, Nepal could struggle to access it – not because the money is not available, but because mechanism to track and demonstrate its use are not fully operational. If local governments cannot show how climate investments are being made and what impact they are having, it becomes harder to justify and tap available funding opportunities, particularly from international sources.

Bridging and closing the gap

If climate finance is to reach those who need it most, the focus must shift from introducing tools to making them work in practice. Otherwise, the equitable climate finance will remain a promise, rather than a reality.

Nepal has already taken a step by designing a robust policy framework for climate finance. The next challenge is ensuring that it works in everyday practice. Ultimately, climate finance is not just about policies or budgets – it’s about whether support reaches the communities that need it most. If systems remain underused, the promise of climate finance will stay on paper. But if they are put into practice, they can become a powerful tool for building resilience where it matters most.

The solution lies not in creating new policies, regulations and institutions, but in putting them into practice. Priorities should be given to;

– Raise awareness and building technical capacity among local government officials on climate budget tagging and climate-responsive planning

– Integrate CBT into municipal budgeting systems and guidelines, ensuring it becomes a part of routine practice

– Strengthen monitoring and reporting systems to improve transparency and accountability

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This blog is based on reflection from municipal level consultation workshops under Climate Action Financing Through Women and Social Enterprises (CaFiN) project funded by IDRC through CPI.

Media Dialogue Highlights the Role of Media in Agriculture and Food System Transformation

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On 23 May 2026, ForestAction Nepal, serving as the Secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food (AAF), successfully concluded a “Media Dialogue and Interaction Program” focused on contemporary agricultural issues in Shankharapur, Kathmandu. The program brought together around thirty participants, including journalists from various media houses and newspapers, members of the secretariat, youth practitioners, agricultural advocates, and alliance members.

Centering on agroecology and sustainable agriculture, the interaction featured open and participatory discussions on the diverse challenges facing Nepal’s food and agricultural systems. The program also emphasized the effective role of the media and journalists in helping identify possible solutions to these challenges and contributing to meaningful change. The discussion session was facilitated by activist Mr. Teeka Bhattarai.

Participants extensively discussed a wide range of pressing issues, including seed sovereignty, the existing agricultural subsidy system, the impacts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on soil and public health, and the rationale behind the government’s plan to operate chemical fertilizer factories. Deliberations also focused on the impacts of federalism and existing agricultural structures on smallholder farmers, particularly the challenges and difficulties faced at the grassroots level. Other key areas of discussion included the preservation and promotion of indigenous knowledge and organic farming practices, the growing impact of wildlife on agriculture, increasing dependence on agricultural imports, and the current situation of land tenure.

The interaction further explored measures to encourage youth participation in agriculture, along with the policy reforms necessary to support their engagement in agriculture and food system transformation. Discussions also focused on agricultural budget priorities and the broader influence of journalism and media in shaping agricultural discourse and policy.

Questions and queries raised by journalists during the session were addressed by Mr. Uddhav Adhikari, Coordinator of AAF. Further queries and concerns were addressed by Mr. Dipesh Nepal, a youth agriculture practitioner, along with other AAF members. Speaking on behalf of the media fraternity, Mr. Kiran Acharya, Chairperson of ANAJ (Association of Nepali Agricultural Journalists), emphasized the crucial responsibility of the media in presenting farmers issues to the public in a responsible, factual, and impactful manner.

The program ultimately underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration among policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and the media sector to build a sustainable, self-reliant, and farmer-friendly agricultural system.

 

 

 

 

Debating the Future of Fertilizers in Nepal: Chemical vs. Organic Pathways

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On May 8, 2026, ForestAction Nepal, serving as the secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food, convened a timely and thought-provoking policy dialogue in Kathmandu titled “Fertilizers in Agriculture: Chemical or Organic?” Facilitated by prominent senior journalist Tikaram Yatri and broadcast across his media platforms, the event brought together distinguished soil experts, government officials, policy analysts, agriculture activists, and young entrepreneurs to deliberate on one of the most pressing policy questions facing Nepal’s agricultural sector today.

The crux of the discussion centered on whether Nepal’s immediate agricultural priority should lie in chemical or organic pathways, especially in light of the government of Nepal’s declared intention to establish a domestic chemical fertilizer factory. Esteemed panelists, including Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development), Dr. Chandra Prasad Risal (Chief Soil Scientist), Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel (Agriculture Expert), and Dipesh Nepal (Agroecology Practitioner), dissected the long-term ecological and financial implications of chemical dependency. Commentaries from Hon. Dr. Sujata Tamang (Member of Parliament) and Uddhav Adhikari (Coordinator of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food) further enriched the dialogue, grounding the policy debate in grassroots realities.

The deliberations highlighted a critical structural trap in modern farming: while chemical inputs like urea historically boosted short-term yields, they have created a vicious cycle where soil productivity steadily declines over time, forcing farmers to use increasingly higher doses on increasingly acidic and degraded land. Panelists reviewed Nepal’s forty-year history of fertilizer subsidies, noting how external market pressures and historical dependencies have compromised both national fiscal health and soil vitality. While acknowledging that an immediate, absolute halt to chemical inputs could trigger short-term food security shocks, the overwhelming consensus called for a systematic, future-oriented roadmap to phase down chemical reliance in favor of sustainable agroecological practices. The program concluded with a powerful call to action for the government to critically review its chemical factory plans and instead pivot toward policies that protect Nepal’s public health, soil longevity, and long-term economic sovereignty.

 

 



Press Release: Alliance of Agriculture for Food Calls for Critical Reforms to the Government’s National Commitment Document

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On 22 April 2026, ForestAction Nepal, serving as the Secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food, organized a press conference in Kathmandu to formally release its comprehensive policy suggestion letter titled “Reforms to be Made in the National Commitment on the Agriculture Sector.”

The policy response follows the Government of Nepal’s publication of its National Commitment Document on 14 April 2026, which reviewed the agricultural manifestos of six major political parties and invited feedback from sector stakeholders.

Drawing on its long-standing research and advocacy work in sustainable agriculture and food systems, the Secretariat prepared and submitted a set of strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the policy direction of Nepal’s agricultural sector. These recommendations have formally been submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

The initiative reflects the Alliance’s continued engagement in evidence-based policy dialogue and its commitment to promoting sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems in Nepal.

 

 

ForestAction Nepal and IAAS Partnership on Agroecology and Learning

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ForestAction Nepal and the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12 March 2026 to strengthen collaboration in academic and research initiatives, with a particular focus on advancing agroecology alongside natural resource management.

Through this partnership, ForestAction Nepal will support IAAS students by facilitating research grants, internship placements, and field-based learning opportunities in agroecology and related disciplines. This collaboration aims to nurture future professionals by linking academic learning with practical, community-based agroecological approaches, while contributing to sustainable development and evidence-based policy engagement.

Nepal’s Forest Paradox: Rich Forests, Poor Production

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“You present that Division Forest Offices (DFOs) have not produced timber; that they have not managed forests properly. You tell us to go beyond the set criteria and the upper limit set by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). We are ready to do that. Just assure us that we won’t have to bear the consequences for the valid approvals we make.” One of the Divisional Forest Officers burst out in frustration during the plenary discussion. He continued, “I personally have had the bitter experience of doing so. I had to attend the CIAA’s call several times. Is there any institution that will safeguard us for the decisions we make? If so, we will make all the approvals needed. We will approve all harvesting and management applications.”

His voice did not merely reflect on his personal grievance but revealed a deeper, systemic tension embedded within Nepal’s forest governance architecture, that extends beyond individual DFOs and pervades the institutional environment in which they operate.

Statistical Misinterpretation and Institutional Risk Aversion

The program was Ban Chautari, organized by ForestAction Nepal (This event was part of the project “Development of Policy Briefs and enhanced communication for Sustainable Forest Management and Green Enterprises in Nepal” under CLARE R4I Opportunities Fund), chaired by Hon. Madhav Chaulagain, Minister of the Ministry of Forests and Environment. The deliberation primarily centered on the presentation delivered by Dr Mani Ram Banjade, that analyzed the forest production data from all Division Forest Offices across Nepal, including annual reports submitted to their monitoring authority, the Provincial Forest Directorate (PFD). The diagnostic study carried out by ForestAction teamdemonstrated a consistent and significant gap between predicted timber production and actual harvest across all forest management regimes. The implication was unambiguous: Nepal is systematically under-realizing the productive potential of its forest resources.

Institutionally, forest management falls primarily under the DFOs, operating within the provincial Ministry of Forests and Environment and reporting through the PFD. Nearly every administrative and technical decisionn of DFO is subject to hierarchical review and cross-validation. Simultaneously, the CIAA exercises parallel oversight by scrutinizing potential misuse of authority.

Following the publication of State of Nepal’s Forests, which reported a national average growing stock of 164.57 m³/ha, the CIAA issued a circular instructing DFOs that district-level stock should not exceed this referenced national average. However, the report did not specify the associated standard deviation or distributional range. From a statistical standpoint, a mean naturally implies variability, some districts must logically exceed the national average. Imposing a uniform ceiling derived from a national mean across ecologically diverse districts is therefore methodologically flawed and operationally restrictive. The subsequent stagnation in timber production trends across the country reflects this structural constraint.

This circular institutionalized risk aversion at the implementation level. DFO personnel increasingly operated on the safer side of compliance to avoid potential investigation. Consequently, the operational plans of 84 DFOs formed under the threashold reflects an average growing stock of merely 127 m³/ha, substantially below the national average cited in the report. The outcome is a systematic suppression of harvesting levels far below the ecological and silvicultural potential of the forests.

From Oversight Pressure to Institutional Bottlenecks

Yet just the oversight constraints do not explain the underutilization of one of Nepal’s most valuable natural resources. Governance dynamics within the state apparatus further compound the issue. Laws and regulations are often subject to individual interpretation of an individual. In one documented instance, a change in the DFO of a district resulted in more than a 90% reduction in timber extraction, demonstrating how discretionary authority can significantly alter production outcomes.

Moreover, DFOs face excessive administrative and technical burdens. Their responsibilities extend well beyond silvicultural management to include budget execution, reporting, monitoring across multiple forest regimes, wildlife crime control, dispute resolution, and coordination with oversight agencies. Estimates suggest that barely 20% of the technical human resources within DFOs are actually deployed for core forestry operations. The remainder is absorbed by procedural and compliance-related tasks.

Community-based management systems also form a critical part of this equation. Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), which manage a substantial proportion of Nepal’s forests, face structural and operational limitations. More than half of CFUGs have yet to amend their mandatory operational plans, a prerequisite for active forest management. Many lack adequate technical capacity to implement silvicultural prescriptions effectively. Additionally, the fragmented and small-scale nature of many CFUG-managed forests constrains economies of scale. If such fragmented patches were consolidated into larger management units, like clusters, the economic viability and market competitiveness of timber production could improve significantly.

From Risk Aversion to Productive Forest Governance

In the panel discussion, Professor Dr. Rajesh Rai said, “Nepal is not losing forests by harvesting too much, but by harvesting too little.” Therefore, the central question, is not merely whether forests can generate prosperity, it is whether the current governance framework aligns incentives, accountability mechanisms, and technical capacity in a manner that enables resources to be capital. Whose forest governance structure determines production levels? Whose risk calculations shape harvesting decisions? And whose institutional fears ultimately constrain economic potential?

If Nepal is to unlock the economic value of its forests while maintaining ecological integrity, reforms must be to clarify accountability frameworks between oversight bodies and implementing agencies; revisiting statistically flawed production ceilings; reducing administrative overload on DFOs to prioritize core forestry functions; strengthening technical capacity and plan revision processes within CFUGs.

From Reflection to Action: Community-Led Agroecology for Soil Restoration in Dhusa, Ichhakamana RM, Chitwan

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Dhusa, Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, Chitwan, is the current project site where ForestAction Nepal has been implementing the Soil Restoration through Agroecology initiative. After a year of sustained engagement with the community, an annual reflection meeting was held in the first week of January. A major outcome of this meeting was the formal formation of a Community Action Group (CAG) to advance agroecology-based soil restoration.

The CAG comprises nine core members (seven women and two men) from Dhusa, reflecting a strong community-led commitment to sustaining field-level experimentation, strengthening peer learning, and gradually expanding agroecology-based practices across the wider landscape. By centering farmers’ knowledge and lived experiences, the group aims to demonstrate how locally adapted agroecological practices can regenerate soils, reduce dependency on external inputs, and enhance long-term farm resilience.

Following its formation, a planning meeting was held on 13 January 2026 in the presence of ForestAction project team and CAG members. Grounded in the principles of Participatory Action Research and Learning (PAR), the project team facilitated discussions on the importance of co-learning and co-creating knowledge. CAG members shared their experiences of learning alongside fellow farmers and neighbors, with technical support from the team provided as needed. Members collectively agreed that learning through the adoption and practice of agroecological techniques at the community level would contribute to improved soil health while strengthening resilience and self-reliance.

The meeting also clarified the roles and responsibilities of both CAG members and the project team. In addition, CAG members were supported to independently document and maintain their own meeting minutes, further reinforcing local ownership and leadership.

The meeting further identified priority interventions for the next phase, including composting, vermicomposting, seed trials (cucumber and beans), mulching, green manuring, biopesticide preparation, and Azolla cultivation. Each participating farmer has committed a portion of their land for on-farm trials, reinforcing the principle of learning through practice and generating evidence under local conditions.

To support this process, ForestAction Nepal will provide technical assistance and facilitate access to essential inputs, including vermi worms and seeds from verified sources for trials and green manuring.

Through the CAG, agroecology is being promoted not only as a set of practices but also as a long-term pathway for soil restoration, farmer empowerment, and community-led transformation of local food systems.

ForestAction Nepal: 25 years of research and policy engagement

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On 20th December 2025, ForestAction Nepal celebrated its Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of research and policy engagement in forests, agriculture and natural resource management. The Minister of Forests and Environment attended as the Chief Guest of the event along with other delegates from environment, agriculture, research, policy sectors and development partners.

The highlight of the celebration was the inauguration of ForestAction Nepal’s book consisting of 25 years of learnings and reflection in NRM and policy engagement. A critical panel discussion was held addressing the contemporary issues and practices of NRM and future strategies. The participants were also presented with displays of various publications. models of ecosystems and other engaging activities. The evening concluded with tasting of various local dishes, highlighting organic foods and farming.

Click here for ForestAction Nepal’s 25 Years in Action book

फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालले वन, कृषि तथा समग्र प्राकृतिक स्रोत व्यवस्थापनका क्षेत्रमा अनुसन्धान र नीतिगत संलग्नतामा बिताएका गौरवमय २५ वर्षको अवसरमा रजत जयन्ती कार्यक्रम मिति २० डिसेम्बर २०२५ का दिन सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न गरेको छ।

उक्त कार्यक्रममा संघीय वन तथा वातावरण मन्त्री, बागमती प्रदेश सभाका उपसभामुख, राष्ट्रपति चुरे–तराई मधेश संरक्षण विकास समितिका अध्यक्ष, कृषि तथा पशुपन्छी विकास मन्त्रालयका सचिव, राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगका पूर्व उपाध्यक्ष, पूर्व सांसद, पूर्व राजदूत, संघीय वन तथा कृषि मन्त्रालय अन्तर्गतका विभिन्न विभागका महानिर्देशकहरू, नेपाल, अमेरिका, बेलायत, अष्टे«लिया तथा क्यानडाका विश्वविद्यालय तथा अनुसन्धानमुलक संस्थाका प्राध्यापक, कुटनीतिज्ञ, तथा अनुसन्धान वैज्ञानिकहरू, सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघका अध्यक्ष तथा अन्य नागरिक समाज संस्थाका प्रमुख एवं प्रतिनिधिहरू, सामाजिक विषयवस्तुमा विशिष्टता हासिल गरेका शैक्षिक÷प्राज्ञिक व्यक्तित्वहरू, अनुसन्धानकर्ता तथा वरिष्ठ सञ्चारकर्मीहरूको उल्लेखनीय उपस्थिति रहेको थियो।

कार्यक्रमअन्तर्गत सहभागीहरूबीच Evidence–based participatory action research, सामुदायिक वन तथा समग्र प्राकृतिक स्रोत व्यवस्थापनका क्षेत्रमा भएका प्रयासहरू र भावी रणनीतिहरूका विषयमा गहन चिन्तन तथा आलोचनात्मक बहस गरिएको थियो। साथै, फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालको २५ वर्षे यात्राका सिकाइ र आत्ममन्थन समेटिएको पुस्तकको लोकार्पण, विभिन्न प्रकाशनहरूको प्रदर्शनी, प्राकृतिक स्रोत र कृषि प्रणालीका नमुनाहरूको अवलोकन, तथा जैविक खाद्य प्रवद्र्धनका लागि रैथाने परिकारको स्वादसहितको ‘रैथाने खाद्य साँझ’ कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरिएको थियो।

लोकार्पित पुस्तकबाट केही अंश– “हामीले परिकल्पना गरेका सबै लक्ष्य र उद्देश्यहरू पूर्ण रूपमा हासिल गर्न सकेका छैनौँ, न त सबै परियोजना तथा सरोकारवालाहरूका अपेक्षाहरू नै सम्पूर्ण रूपमा सम्बोधन गर्न सकेका छौँ। यद्यपि, हाम्रो इमानदार प्रयासमा कहिल्यै सम्झौता गरेका छैनौँ। अपेक्षित उपलब्धिहरूप्रति पूर्ण सन्तुष्टि नभए तापनि, संस्थागत रूपमा भएका सामूहिक प्रयास र संघर्षलाई खुलेर प्रशंसा गर्दै हामी गर्व महसुस गर्दछौँ।”

“संस्थाले अंगिकार गरेको सामूहिक र Horizontal नेतृत्व अभ्यासका कारण यस यात्राक्रममा फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालले नेतृत्व संकट बेहोर्नुपरेन। यस प्रक्रियाले युवावर्गलाई समेत नेतृत्वका लागि तयार पार्दै निरन्तर नेतृत्व विकास सम्भव बनाएको छ।”

“वर्तमान सन्दर्भमा प्रतिनिधित्व र जवाफदेहिताको संकटले नीति निर्माताहरू र नागरिकहरूबीच व्यापक अविश्वास र निराशा सिर्जना गरेको छ। यस्तो अवस्थामा नीति बहसमा आलोचनात्मक अनुसन्धान तथा बहु–सरोकारवाला प्रक्रियाको भूमिका झन् महत्वपूर्ण बन्दै गएको छ। परम्परागत नीति निर्माण प्रक्रियालाई विज्ञानसम्मत, प्रमाणमा आधारित र जनस्तरसँग जोड्ने विधिको विकासका लागि हाम्रा अनुसन्धान तथा सञ्चार रणनीतिहरूलाई अझ विश्वसनीय र सुदृढ बनाउनु आवश्यक छ। यस अवधिमा हामीले सिकेका छौँ कि फरक रणनीतिहरू फरक सन्दर्भ र फरक नीति एजेन्डाका लागि उपयोगी हुन्छन्। यद्यपि केही रणनीतिहरू विशिष्ट सन्दर्भमा अरूभन्दा बढी प्राथमिकतामा पर्न सक्छन्, हामी कुनै पनि रणनीतिलाई पूर्ण रूपमा अस्वीकार गर्न सक्दैनौँ। जुनसुकै रणनीति अपनाइए पनि, बलियो अनुसन्धान पद्धतिमार्फत नयाँ प्रमाणहरू सिर्जना गर्नु र संस्थागत विश्वसनीयता कायम राख्नु फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालको प्रमुख प्रतिबद्धता रहँदै आएको छ।”

यहाँहरु सबैप्रति हार्दिक आभार।

Agroecology on Stage: Drama, Song, and Dialogue at Chitwan Kachahari

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Better Chitwan organised the third series of “The Chitwan Kachahari – Festival of Ideas” from December 11–13, 2025, at Narayani Kala Mandir, Chitwan. ForestAction Nepal, serving as the Secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food, was one of the co-organisers and hosted a session titled “Agroecological Farming: Not an Alternative, but the Mainstream.” The session featured a drama performance, a thematic song, and a panel discussion.

The session began with a drama titled “Astitwa” (Existence) presented by students of Lamjung Agriculture Campus. With the Earth positioned as the central character, the play unfolded through imagined dialogues between humans and different planets, vividly portraying the environmental crisis confronting our planet. The performance highlighted the suffering of the Earth, the struggles and constraints faced by farmers, and the imbalances in our food system, ultimately delivering a powerful call to protect nature and restore harmony between humanity and the Earth.

The drama was followed by a song titled “Kohi Murkha Kina Yaha Kheti Garos” (“Why Would a Fool Farm Here?”), which not only presented a satirical portrayal of the current agricultural scenario and society perspective but also raised critical questions about the challenges of farming and the importance of agriculture.

      

Following the performances, a panel discussion on “Agroecological Farming: Not an Alternative, but the Mainstream” was conducted. The panel included natural farming practitioners and activists Chhabilal Neupane and Rashmi Pandit, and was moderated by agriculture student Pari Bikram.

Speaking on the panel, Rashmi Pandit emphasised that natural farming is a sustainable, soil and environment centred agricultural enterprise and should be advanced as a mainstream practice rather than an alternative. Similarly, Chhabilal Neupane noted that reliance on chemical pesticides and imported fertilisers makes agriculture costly over time, while natural farming reduces production costs and conserves soil health through the use of on-farm compost, beneficial microorganisms, and natural pesticides.

Activist Sujata Tamang emphasised that future farmers are today’s youth and highlighted the need for early education that connects children with soil and farming, from the audience. Additionally, Uddhav Adhikari, Coordinator of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food, warned that chemical fertiliser and pesticides based conventional farming and unsustainable consumption threaten human civilisation and urged greater commitment to protecting soil, nature, and life through poetry.

Alongside the discussion sessions, various exhibition stalls were set up at the venue, showcasing informative posters and artwork related to food systems, alternative agriculture, and soil conservation, enriching the overall learning experience of the event.

     

Data collection for agroforestry guideline (Focus group discussion, Key Informant Interview, and Household Survey)

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As part of the Building Agroforestry-based Adaptation Plans for Resilient Floodplains (BAGAR) Project, ForestAction Nepal conducted a field study in Marin Rural Municipality, Sindhuli District, from 12–19 October 2025 to support the development of a municipality-level Agroforestry Guideline. The field engagement involved Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews across all wards, bringing together farmers, agroforestry practitioners, municipal representatives, and ward-level stakeholders. These interactions focused on understanding local livelihood systems, agroforestry practices, climate-related challenges, and institutional perspectives to inform locally appropriate planning.

Following the qualitative consultations, a household survey was carried out from 1–8 December 2025 across the municipality using representative sampling to triangulate information and strengthen the evidence base. Structured questionnaires captured data on land use, landholding patterns, crop–tree combinations, income sources, agroforestry management practices, and challenges. The combined insights from field discussions and household surveys are being used to inform the preparation of a context-specific, inclusive, and climate-resilient agroforestry guideline that reflects local conditions and priorities in Marin Rural Municipality.

 

Assessment of Climate Finance Opportunities for Women-Led Enterprises in Nawalpur

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In the present changing context, climate finance has emerged as a crucial aspect to support mitigation and adaptation actions to address climate change. Noting this, ForestAction Nepal is currently implementing Climate Action Financing through Women and Social Enterprise (CAFIN) project, an International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funded initiative through Climate Policy Initiative (CPI). As a part of this project, the team visited women led enterprises of Gaidakot and Devachuli Rural Municipalities of Nawalpur district from 12th November till 15th November.

 

The team had visited these enterprises three years after their establishment to observe their sustainability and explore challenges and opportunities in terms of integrating climate financing to support their present and future interventions. Altogether eight enterprises of Duna Tapari, Thakal, Bamboo, Triphala, etc were visited; four in Gaidakot and four in Devachuli Rural Municipalities. Focused group discussions and interviews were conducted with women entrepreneurs to gain insights of their productivity, motivation, finance along with issues and future pathways for the enterprises. Similarly, meetings were held with the local government stakeholders (mayors, ward chairpersons) of the municipalities to discuss broader market environment, existing constraints, and potential strategies to expand the reach and visibility of enterprise products to wider audiences. FAN team also facilitated discussion with financial institutions (banks, cooperatives) to explore their knowledge in regards to climate change and financing, and to examine their policies and potential roles in supporting and sustaining women-led enterprises.

Press Meet Held for जैविक कृषि जागरण यात्रा

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ForestAction Nepal, the secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food (AAF), in collaboration with the Association of Nepali Agricultural Journalists (ANAJ), organized a press meet on 21st April, 2025 at SAP-Falcha, Babarmahal to officially inaugurate the month-long journey “जैविक कृषि जागरण यात्रा”, scheduled from 22nd April to 21st May. During this event, a press note was also released in the presence of journalists, activists, and farmers.

Over a month, this journey will cover the locations across Bagamati Province, Madhesh Province, and Koshi Province. Along the way, the team will engage in dialogue, interactive sessions, observation, and experience sharing with farmers, local communities, students, Local Government, and Provincial Government. The journey focuses on raising awareness and facilitating discussion on issues such as the impacts of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, public health risks, water crisis, and climate crisis.

   

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