SADP Nepal

Basic Organic Farming Training:

Basic organic agriculture training was conducted in demonstration site (resource centre) in Pokharelphant on October 4 and 5, 2010. During the training period 27 participants were present from Tanahusur VDC, Kyamin VDC and Vyas municipality of 9 no. ward of Tanahun district. The participants are mainly of adults with 14 male participants and 13 female participants. Male and female participants equally participated in the training.  Two days organic farming training emphasis advantages of organic farming in terms of social, economic and environmental point of view. Farmers were worried about the pest management through the organic farming method. The documentaries regarding pest management, effect of chemical fertilizers through “Slow poisoning of India” and success story in organic farming of single woman were shown during training. These documentaries reflect the real fact of the use of chemical pesticides and proved that one can be successful commercial farmer with the adoption of organic farming methods. Some of the participants like Gau maya Darai, Jeet Rana Magar, Pappu Baniya, Bhakti BK etc who had already adopt organic methodology were blissful in their deeds as the soil fertility has increases and can consume healthy, tasty vegetables. The other participants, who use knowingly or unknowingly chemical pesticides, also found solution to manage pest through organic farming approach. Though the farmers use chemical pesticides are not getting rid of pest from plants. After watching the documentaries, all participants were furious to see ill effect of chemical fertilizers in farm and 85% participants agreed on use of physical trappers, light trappers and use of bio-pesticides to manage pest of the farm as an alternative to chemical pesticides. The concern was focused on the soil health (ecology) and production of healthy products for the consumption.

Formation of farmer groups:

During the proposal development for the project “Research and support to Organic Agriculture in Tanahun district of Nepal”, interested farmers group were identified from different caste, ethnicity and location during need assessment survey (conducted in April) and local level workshop (January, 2010). The group was formed among the local farmers from Kumal community, Darai community, Saldanda and Tallo Naranga of Kyamin VDC and other location of Tanahun district like Tanahunsur VDC and Satiswara VDC with diverse ethnicity. The groups are first minimizing the use of the chemical fertilizer and pesticides and practicing organic farming in a small area as a trial basis. The members are active in awareness rising on organic farming among the neighbors. There are altogether 60 farmers in 6 groups. There is a provision of adding members who are dedicated in following the philosophy of organic farming. The group was formed with 5 members in Darai organic farmers group now which reached to 13 where as in “Thulo Kumal Gaun Organic Farmers Group” there are 15 members. In this way local people were getting attracted towards organic farming in recent days. The leaders of each group were chosen considering gender balance. The group leader conduct regular meeting once a month to discuss the issues arises during farming. The group was already formed with 18 members in Tanahunsur and is farming through organic farming approach. Most of the farmers were commercially involved in organic farming.

Visitor group from Bhutan

On November 14^th, 2010, 16 Bhutanese farmers visited Organic farm of Govardhan Sharma Organic Agriculture Resource Centre which is developed with joint effort of SADP-Nepal and GSMTF. The Organic Village, SADP-Nepal and LEAD-Nepal jointly organize the visit program for Bhutanese farmers in Nepal. The community members from Kumal (indigenous group) decorated with traditional customs and bouquet of flower express heartfelt and warm welcome. There was a beautiful traditional dance which fascinated Bhutanese farmers and dragged them on stage to grab memory of Nepali culture. The group then have short visit program around Kumal Village. The organic farming methodology was shared among each other during visit. The staff members of SADP-Nepal shared the preparation of Organic growth promoters (OGP), bio-pesticides and compost preparation methodology which was prepared with available materials and natural resources.