For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
As part of our ongoing participatory action research on agroecological initiatives, our Food and Agriculture team conducted a field visit to Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, Chitwan, from June 1 to 6, 2025. The visit focused on implementing and expanding agroecological practices across current and potential experimental sites.
Introduced vermicomposting in experimental sites for sustainable soil management
At two of our current experimental sites, Dhusa and Kalikhola villages, the team has initiated the setup of vermicomposting units as part of ongoing efforts to promote agroecological practices. Vermicompost is a highly effective organic manure with multiple benefits: it enriches the soil with essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and enhances microbial activity.
This initiative has been implemented on a small scale, with strong potential for expansion based on community response and observed outcomes.
Assessing the effects of Effective Microorganism (EM) treatments on Bean Varieties
In Dhusa, a new experimental set up was established to assess the effects of Effective Microorganism (EM) treatments on bean crops, with the objective of improving the performance of the crop, enhancing the crop resilience through biological inputs and contribution to the broader goal of reducing chemical dependency.
Initial activities involved treatment preparation, field layout and sowing of seeds.
Expansion of agroecological research: Explored Lewataar as a new Site
We plan to expand our research and field experimental sites to additional areas of Icchakamana RM. In a previous meeting with the Chairperson of Ichhakamana RM, Lewataar village was identified as a new potential field/ experimental site.
Thus, we visited Lewataar village, where we held preliminary discussions with local farmers and conducted observations throughout the village to better understand the agroecological conditions, current agricultural practices, major challenges and issues faced by farmers and farmers’ perspectives on agroecological farming.
These insights will guide us to the design the context-specific interventions and collaborative planning with local stakeholders.
