For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
There has been a global debate about the need to change food and farming system to prioritize soil health, nature, and human well-being rather than merely increasing production. In response, international and national policies are being formulated, and efforts are being made worldwide to improve food and agricultural systems. Agroecology and sustainable food systems are critical components in addressing ongoing social, environmental and health challenges. Recognizing the need for improvements in these areas, our project is dedicated to enhancing policies and practices related to agroecology and sustainable food systems in Nepal.
The overall objective of the project is to improve policies and practices related to agroecology and sustainable food systems in Nepal. By integrating broadly five key components: Policy Research/Field Action Research, Lobbying and Campaigning, Networking and Mobilization, Training and Capacity Building; and Documentation and Publication, the project aims to contributing in creating a robust framework that promotes agroecology and sustainable food system that is favourable to majority of smallholders including women and marginalized farmers.
Details: The team engages in review and synthesis of policy documents and field actions to generate evidence for policy advocacy. While doing so, team follow participatory process to produces adaptive knowledge and practices in collaboration with farming communities. Believing that conventional farming promotes the use of external inputs (chemicals and pesticides) and degrades of soil and production system, impacting human and environmental health, the focus is on agroecological farm practices at local communities. ForestAction Nepal provides secretariat services to the Alliance of Agriculture for Food (AAF), a collective campaign involving Producer Farmers, I/NGOs and Civil Society Groups working on the issue of food, land, agriculture and climate change. The campaign aims to amplify the voices of smallholders, women and landless farmers and is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture through an integrated system of social development.
Expected outcomes: Evidence generated for policy advocacy (case studies, discussion papers, articles, reports, annual factsheets)
Details: With the evidence generated and mobilization of AAF, the team engages in organizing issue-based discussions and interactions (e.g., periodic plans, Agriculture act, Budget and programs), organize public events (e.g., World Social Forum), and preparing and publishing appeals and pressnotes. Team also organize delegations and celebrate various occasions (e.g., International Food Day, World Social Forum National Paddy Day, Mountain Day).
Expected outcomes: Enhanced and intact relationship with wider stakeholders, increased public awareness and commitments from stakeholders
Details: Besides strengthening AAF itself, the team collaborates and provides supports as needed to other networks such as organic farmers, farmers groups, civil society forums, agriculture students. They also contribute as resource persons, panelists/experts and provide synergy by engaging in activities with common interests.
Expected outcomes: Enhanced network and contributions in promoting common agendas
Activity Training and Capacity building
Details: The team organizes capacity activities such as walking training, permaculture training, apprenticeship course, and orientations on related issues (e.g., agroecology) for themselves (team members) and their stakeholders (e.g., community mobilizers, farmers, representatives from different institutions .Additionally, they organize training and exposure visits for team members.
Expected outputs: Enhanced knowledge, skills and exposures
Details: The team publishes case studies, journal articles, appeals, press notes, discussion papers, reports, factsheets and various articles and interviews in newspapers and social media and shares widely.
Expected outcome: Increased awareness and knowledge sharing