Farmers in Nepal, especially women, face a host of intersecting challenges. Many work with limited resources under difficult conditions, while also managing livestock, household responsibilities, and their children’s education from a young age. This burden takes a toll on their health and ability to sustain a livelihood. Women farmers are also particularly exposed to toxic pesticides—a result of structural inequality and poor regulation. As Nepali Times reports, "women and Dalit households … [Read more...] about How Joining a Women’s Savings Group Helped This Farmer Survive Cancer
South Asia
Strengthening Agroecology in Nepal: A New Partnership Between Groundswell International and Tribhuvan University
Groundswell International is proud to announce a new partnership with Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, to advance natural farming and agroecology in Nepal through collaborative research, education, and field-based learning. This partnership is a promising step forward for sustainable agriculture in South Asia, deepening academic-practitioner collaboration, equipping the next generation of food systems leaders, and strengthening climate-resilient food systems rooted in ecological … [Read more...] about Strengthening Agroecology in Nepal: A New Partnership Between Groundswell International and Tribhuvan University
This Women’s Group in Nepal is Restoring Soil Health with Biofertilizers
In a small farming village tucked in Nepal’s hilly countryside, women in pink and red saris crouch in tidy rows of plump tomatoes, their hands feeding the soil. Nearby, a group of women—the Jwaladevi Women Farmer Group—gather in a circle around a pile of green leaves to prepare biofertilizers. One of them chops aromatic herbs—nettle, neem, and bitter Artemisia—while another stirs them into a muddy mixture in a large plastic drum. Older women sit cross-legged, observing the process with keen … [Read more...] about This Women’s Group in Nepal is Restoring Soil Health with Biofertilizers
How One Woman Farmer from Nepal Turned a Small Loan into a Lifeline
Samjhana lives in Mandandeupur, a rugged region in central Nepal near the Tibetan border. Life here is shaped by the land: steep slopes, seasonal monsoons, and weather patterns that have become increasingly unpredictable due to climate change. Deadly floods and landslides often devastate farms and communities, making every growing season a gamble for survival.Most families rely on small-scale farming to maintain their livelihoods. For women like Samjhana, the stakes are even higher. Many … [Read more...] about How One Woman Farmer from Nepal Turned a Small Loan into a Lifeline
Devastating Flood in Nepal Affects Dozens of Families in the Terai Region
On what seemed like an ordinary monsoon night, the residents of Ishworpur Municipality in Sarlahi were caught off guard by an unprecedented flood. This was no ordinary flood; it was a catastrophic event brought about by a combination of unplanned urbanization, haphazard construction, and extensive land coverage with concrete. The relentless rain, unable to find its natural course, wreaked havoc as it flowed uncontrollably through the Terai region. The Terai region of Nepal lies along … [Read more...] about Devastating Flood in Nepal Affects Dozens of Families in the Terai Region
Agroecology as a Path to Sustainable Growth in India and Nepal
Eastern Nepal and Bihar, India: two regions facing similar challenges Eastern Nepal and the state of Bihar, India face a fair share of challenges. Both countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and experience increasingly unpredictable weather. Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts and floods disrupt planting and harvesting cycles, reducing crop yields and threatening food security. Intensive farming practices and over-reliance on chemical fertilizers have also … [Read more...] about Agroecology as a Path to Sustainable Growth in India and Nepal