Unlocking the potential of farmers by PIWAAI

Lal Bahadur Khadka, a resident of, Sundardada, ward number 6, Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, shares his inspiring journey from growing traditional crops to becoming a successful tomato farmer. Lal Bahadur’s story demonstrates how access to knowledge, training, and support can transform the lives of farmers and help them realize the potential of agriculture as a profitable business.

Previously, Lal Bahadur used to purchase tomatoes from distant markets for vegetables and even make pickles, unaware that he could grow them on his own land. He cultivated maize and millet but struggled to earn money from their sales as most of the produce was either consumed by his family or fetched minimal returns. However, everything changed when he received support from PIWAAI, in the form of cultivation training, input assistance to build a plastic house, exposure visits, and regular monitoring.

Equipped with this knowledge and the necessary resources, Lal Bahadur began growing tomatoes under his plastic house. Through the guidance of field technicians, he learned to identify insect-pest infections, manage irrigation and fertilizers, address nutrient deficiencies, and employed special training and pruning techniques for tomato cultivation. As a result, he now generates an annual profit of around Rs. 30,000 by selling his surplus tomatoes in the local market.

Lal Bahadur’s newfound success has brought joy and stability to his family. With the income from tomato farming, he can support his loved ones and create a decent livelihood. Inspired by his achievements, Lal Bahadur is motivated to expand the number of plastic houses he owns. Moreover, he aspires to share the knowledge and experiences he has gained with fellow farmers in his community. By doing so, he aims to create awareness among farmers about how agriculture can be a profitable business, transforming the perception of farming and empowering others to achieve similar success.

Lal Bahadur’s story highlights the importance of providing farmers with the necessary training, resources, and support to unlock the full potential of agriculture. Through initiatives like PIWAAI and the dedication of individuals like Lal Bahadur, rural communities can thrive, farmers can improve their livelihoods, and society as a whole can benefit from sustainable and profitable agriculture practices.

#PIWAAI #PIWAAI_Agriculture #PWJ #SDG #sustainable_agriculture

Leading the Change

Mr. Ram Bahadur Karki is an inspiring individual and a leading force for change in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, 6, Sindhupalchok. Despite having access to amenities and facilities due to his sons’ settlement abroad, he has chosen to stay in the village and engage in vegetable farming. With more than 15 years of experience as an Agriculture Technician in the Integrated Self-help Association for Rural Development (ISARD) and with the support of ISAP, he has successfully established nursery seedling production and vegetable cultivation under plastic tunnels on his farm.

As the chairperson of the Lattesor Farmer’s Group established with the support of ISAP, Mr. Karki has actively participated in various training sessions, workshops, and exposure visits organized by the organization. These opportunities have enriched his understanding of farming techniques; thus, he strives to incorporate all these newfound insights into his own agricultural endeavors to augment his earning
potential. Over the past three years, Mr. Karki has earned a significant income of 6 lakhs by selling nursery seedlings and vegetables, with tomatoes of approximately 80000 kg occupying a prominent portion of his sales. He is also dedicated to assisting local farmers with innovative farming techniques and technical guidance to tackle challenges making him a sought-after resource in his community, not only improving his own earnings but also for others too.

Mr. Karki’s commitment to his community and his passion for agriculture make him a true leader in the farming sector. His selfless actions bring happiness to the faces of other farmers, and he serves as an inspiration for others to embrace innovative farming practices and strive for success. His dedication to helping others and his continuous pursuit of knowledge epitomize the qualities of an agent of change.

Mr. Ram is an extraordinary individual who exemplifies the essence of leadership and community engagement in the agriculture domain. His significant contributions to the farming sector, coupled with his unwavering commitment to empowering fellow farmers, render him an exemplar for aspiring agriculturists in Sunkoshi and beyond.

#PIWAAI #PIWAAI_agriculture #PWJ #agriculture #Sunkoshi #sindhupalchok #SDG #leaderfarmer

“Project For Improving Water Access And Agriculture Income(PIWAAI)” funded by The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Japan, jointly implemented by Institution For Suitable Actions For Prosperity(ISAP) and Peace Winds Japan conducted a one-day Refresher Training for Market Planning Committee with an aim to to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about production, marketing, and running a collection centre, and also to equip them with valuable skills and knowledge that can help improve their marketing strategies and overall farm management. The training was attended by 17 participants at Melamchi and 14 participants at Sunkoshi and was successful in creating a bridge between the local trader and the beneficiaries.
#PIWAAI #PIWAAI_Agriculture #PWJ #agriculture #sustainable_agriculture #SDG #sindhupalchok

Have you ever seen yellow sticky traps in or around plants and wondered what they are for? Find out how yellow sticky traps work, how to use them properly, and what to bear in mind when doing so.

Yellow sticky traps effectively detect pest infestations, mostly white flies and aphids at an early stage, and enable you to act fast against the insects in question. Sticky traps are insect traps made of plastic or cardboard and are covered with a layer of glue. They take advantage of certain insects’ natural instincts in order to lure them toward the trap. The insects then get stuck to the layer of glue on the trap and die. Yellow sticky traps do not require pheromones or insecticides to attract and catch the insects. They are drawn to the trap solely because of the color. Yellow sticky traps can either be hung near the plants or stuck directly into the soil using a trap holder.

Remember: Yellow sticky traps are not meant as a pest control method in and of themselves. This is because there will always be a few insects that escape the traps and will therefore be able to continue to reproduce.

#PIWAAI #PIWAAI_Agriculture #PWJ #agriculture #sustainable_agriculture #SDG #sindhupalchok

“Initially, my involvement in agriculture was limited to cultivating spinach, onions, and few vegetables solely for personal consumption. I viewed it as a challenging and burdensome occupation. However, little did I realize that it would ultimately become a transformative experience that would significantly impact my life,” says Gyanu Adhikari, a farmer from Melamchi Municipality sharing how PIWAAI changed her life in a matter of time.

Before PIWAAI, Gyanu used to cultivate vegetables in the traditional way lacking technical knowledge. After joining ISAP's Radha Krishna farmers group, she became its vice-chairperson and ever since has been actively involved in the group's savings and loan investments. She has now adopted agricultural technologies after attending numerous technical training provided by the project and eventually also became the leader farmer of her farmer’s group.

Gyanu had received 1 plastic tunnel along with seed support from the project from which she earned Rs. 23,600 by selling tomatoes and Rs. 12,000 by selling other vegetables in the first two years of the project. This year, she expects to earn Rs. 35,000 from tomato production and Rs. 15,000 from other vegetables. “Because of the bookkeeping training we received from the project, it has helped me in maintaining accurate records of income and expense, keeping track of profits and losses, and making sound financial decisions, improving my farm management practice, and optimizing my overall agricultural operation,” says Gyanu. Gyanu has been taking her produces to Palpali Chowk Collection Center and now plans to take them to the newly established collection center at Sunkhani by the project. She also plans to add more plastic tunnels in the near future.

Gyanu adds, “When my husband began to ask money for household expenses, it really made me realize how the income from the vegetable farming has changed the dynamics in my family. More so, I feel secured as a mother to be able to feed healthy vegetables to my family.”

The PIWAAI project has played an impactful role in changing the economic, social, behavioral, and family conditions of many middle-class women like Gyanu. Gyanu who is also known as ‘कृषिको ज्ञानले भरिएकि ज्ञानु ’, meaning ‘Gyanu with knowledge of agriculture’, the upsurge of women leaders like her is envisioned by the project.

Read more success stories at https://isap.org.np/impact-stories

Urmila: Symbol of Resilience

Gahate was the first water supply scheme for the Project for Improving Water Access and Agriculture Income at Balefi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok. Access to safe drinking water was provided for 38 households within one year in 2021.

After the project, like many men, Pasang Lama, chairperson of the Dhobinikhola Gahate Water User committee left his village in search for better opportunities for his family to Dubai. The burden of overseeing the water committee fell upon his wife, Urmila Tamang. Urmila, 24 years old, and a mother of two children, took upon herself the daunting task of leading the committee and ensuring that her husband’s roles and responsibilities were fulfilled.

Urmila says, being a woman, she faced skepticism initially from her community members. “I heard some people were agitated about my husband handing over all the responsibilities to me. My uncle even told me that I will not be able to handle the criticism from people if issues arise in the committee and that this job is physically demanding.” But challenging all the preconceived notions of gender stereotypes, she persevered with unwavering determination and dedication. Her innate leadership qualities gradually won over the trust and respect. Her dedication extended beyond the administrative tasks. She regularly worked along with the committee members and repair and maintenance workers to monitor the conditions of the Water Supply System, addressing maintaining and repairing issues promptly, reading meter and collecting tariffs, and ensuring accountability and transparency of the WUC operation. “All the tools and equipment are in my house. The community trusts me now with collecting the tariffs, and the WCU funds.”

She defied societal expectations, and that gender should never be a barrier to taking on significant responsibilities. Urmila serves as an inspiring symbol of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of individual action.
Dhobinikhola Gahate WSS is running smoothly in Balefi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok.

Read more stories here https://isap.org.np/impact-stories

#PIWAAI #WASH #sindhupalchok #success_stories #nepal #womeninleadership #womenempowerment #SDG

सम्बृद्धिका लागि यथायोग्य कार्य संस्था (ISAP) र पिस विन्ड्स जापानको (PWJ) सहकार्यमा खानेपानी पहुँच तथा कृषि आय सुधार आयोजनाले (PIWAAI) निर्माण गरिएका खानेपानी आयोजनाहरुका नियमित र राम्रो सेवा पाउन, र दिगो राख्नको लागि, सिन्धुपाल्चोकको बलेफि गाँउपालिकाको वडा न. ४, ६, ७ र ८ मा २८२ घरधुरीमा खानेपानी आयोजनाका लाभग्राहिहरु मध्यबाट १६ जनालाई ५ दिने ग्रामीण मर्मत सम्भार कार्यकर्ताको लागी तालिम कार्यक्रम राखिएको थियो। ५ दिने तालिम पछि १६ सहभागी प्रशिक्षार्थीहरुले मर्मत सम्भार कार्यकर्ताको रुपमा आयोजनाको उचित व्यवस्थापन तथा दिगो सञ्चालनका लागि महत्वपुर्ण भुमिका निर्वाह गर्नेछन् ।

Project for Improving Water Access and Agriculture Income, jointly implemented by Institution for Suitable Actions for Prosperity (ISAP) and Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), organized a five day Repair and Maintenance Training for 16 people from 282 households of Balefi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok. The objective of the training is to ensure for the 16 Repair and Maintenance Workers to play a crucial role in the proper sustainable management and effective operation of the Water Supply Schemes.

#PIWAAI #VWM #RepairAndMaintenance #PWJ #WaterSupplyScheme #waterequity #SDG #Sindhupalchok

As the “Project for Improving Water Access and Agriculture Income” funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, jointly implemented by ISAP and PWJ enters its final quarter, a two-day insightful Farmer’s Exposure Visit in parts of Dhading and Chitwan district was organized on 27th and 28th April 2023, for 47 farmers from Melamchi Municipality, Balefi and Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok district.

The visit aimed to provide an opportunity for farmers to learn about successful collection centers run by cooperatives and to apply this knowledge to their existing collection centers at the three project sites, ensuring the sustainability of the project.

#FarmersExposureVisit #SustainableFarming #AgricultureIncome #PIWAAI #FutureofFarming

As the “Project for Improving Water Access and Agriculture Income” funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, jointly implemented by ISAP and PWJ enters its final quarter, a two-day insightful Farmer’s Exposure Visit in parts of Dhading and Chitwan district was organized on 27th and 28th April 2023, for 47 farmers from Melamchi Municipality, Balefi and Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok district.

The visit aimed to provide an opportunity for farmers to learn about successful collection centers run by cooperatives and to apply this knowledge to their existing collection centers at the three project sites, ensuring the sustainability of the project.

#FarmersExposureVisit #SustainableFarming #AgricultureIncome #PIWAAI #FutureofFarming