Farmers working plots as small as a third of an acre have agreed to implement permaculture techniques as part of a matched grant program around Begnas Lake in Nepal.
Hillside farms overlook Begnas Lake
With the Nepal Permaculture Group they are creating a local hub for a network of farmers who are cooperating to discover and demonstrate the advantages of organic farming.
In the 2018-19 grant round Permafund helped kick off a farm improvement project with a workshop for farmers in the Kashki district.
The main objectives of the workshop were to:
- introduce people involved in permaculture and similar philosophies to the network and provide a forum for sharing their expertise and experience.
- identify the skills in the networks of organic food marketing in Nepal
- find ways to establish an organic produce & market network in Pokhara
- build a local Resource Centre to promote permaculture and related philosophies
- work as a pressure group to advocate and lobby for a more sustainable society.
The farmers produce fruit, vegetables, medicinal herbs and livestock
Beekeeping adds to the mix of produce
The farmers agreed to
- continue to improve their farms for at least seven years while also receiving technical and other support from the state government,
- coordinate and collaborate with other farmers in their areas,
- keep records on costs and benefits to help analyse the difference between a conventional & a model farm
- base their work on organic and permaculture principles
- to report on their farm’s progress on a quarterly basis
- to establish their farms as model farms in their area with at least two farms to be utilised as local resource centres.
The support from Permafund has helped the Nepal Permaculture Group coordinate the resource centre and model farm initiative which is encouraging and empowering farmers and inspiring their communities.
Livestock plays a key role
All contributions to Permafund, whether single or recurring donations, are very much appreciated. For more information please contact the Permafund team permafund@permacultureaustralia.org.au