In the mid-hills of Nepal, a quiet revolution is taking place. Communities and farmers are transitioning from traditional farming methods to more diversified, sustainable, and market-oriented systems. Through the CGIAR Mixed Farming Systems (MFS) Initiative, farmers are transforming their agricultural practices, improving their livelihoods, and fostering hope for the future. This initiative is particularly empowering marginalized communities in regions like Surkhet, where farmers like Birma Sunar are leading the charge.
Birma’s Journey: Overcoming Challenges, Cultivating Dreams
Birma Sunar, a 49-year-old farmer from Surkhet, embodies the aspirations of countless smallholder farmers struggling to survive with limited resources. A Dalit woman and an amputee, Birma’s life was once marked by subsistence farming, where the maize and wheat she grew barely fed her family of seven. With her husband earning meager wages as a day laborer, food insecurity was a constant challenge.
However, Birma’s perspective on farming began to shift when she became involved in the Mixed Farming Initiative. Through this program, she received training in growing high-value fruit trees and cultivating Napier grass to feed dairy cattle. Additionally, she learned about micro-irrigation techniques that would help her maximize water usage in vegetable production. As part of the initiative, Birma received mango and lychee saplings, which she planted with hopes of increasing her family’s income.
“I was unaware of commercial farming,” says Birma. “I have a lime tree and a banana tree in my field, but they were only for home consumption. Now, once my mango and lychee trees bear fruit, I hope to sell them in local markets and earn enough to buy essential household items and feed my family.”
Birma’s dream of a more stable and food-secure future is now becoming a reality. The saplings she planted are growing into healthy trees, providing her with renewed hope for the future.
Youthful Aspirations: Santosh’s Agricultural Renaissance
Santosh KC, a 25-year-old farmer, returned to Nepal after working abroad, disheartened but determined to create a better life for himself. With an agricultural education and a passion for change, Santosh decided to start a nursery for high value fruit trees and improved forages. He also ventured into dairy farming with Napier grass. The first year was challenging, with losses and skepticism from his family. However, his dedication paid off. Today, Santosh cultivates 45 ropanis (2.29 hectares) of land, raises 22 goats, and earns a steady income.
Santosh is now an active participant in the Mixed Farming Initiative and has become a mentor to other farmers. He believes that modern agricultural techniques, combined with market integration, can provide youth with sustainable and rewarding livelihoods.
“For many youths, farming doesn’t seem like a viable option. However, with support for modern agricultural techniques and market integration, we can build livelihoods that are not just sustainable but rewarding,” shares Santosh.
A Municipal Vision: Building Resilient Communities
The Mixed Farming Initiative is not just transforming individual lives but is also strengthening local governance. In the Gurbhakot municipality of Surkhet, local leaders are embracing the initiative’s potential to improve agricultural practices. The municipality has adopted Napier grass and high value fruits as key components of its agricultural strategy. By focusing on crops like mangoes, lychees, oranges, and lemons, the municipality aims to improve household nutrition and create new commercial opportunities for farmers.
“We distributed high-value fruit trees to farmers last year under the theme ‘One Home, Two Fruit Plants.’ This year, we’re planning a study to identify the best topography for different fruits. This knowledge will allow us to scale our goal to integrate these practices into larger public programs, creating decent livelihoods for farmers,” said Mr. Hasta Pun, Mayor of Gurbhakot Municipality.
A Vision for the Future
The Mixed Farming Initiative has been instrumental in identifying practical solutions for smallholder farmers and strengthening local resilience. The pilot program in Surkhet and Khotang has laid the groundwork for scaling up these efforts to other municipalities. By 2030, the initiative aims to reach 13 million people, ensuring equitable opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized communities.
As the farmers in Nepal’s mid hills nurture the saplings of high value fruits and integrate forages into their farming systems, they remain motivated by a shared vision of hope, resilience, and a food secure future. This transformative journey is not just about improving agricultural practices it is about rewriting the story of marginalized communities, empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
