Joint Learning Visit of POWER Project under NLRP-II
A joint learning visit took place from March 7 to 12, 2025, involving key stakeholders from ADRA, INF, LWF, and Caritas Nepal at POWER project locations in the Pyuthan, Rolpa, Kailali, and Bardiya districts. This inter-organizational initiative aimed at collaborative learning and impact assessment across various geographical and socio-economic contexts. Program coordinators from Caritas Australia, ALWS, INF Australia, and LWF Burundi participated in field visits and beneficiary meetings to evaluate project outcomes, identify best practices, and enhance partnerships. This initiative facilitates knowledge sharing, improves project accountability, and promotes the sustainable and impactful implementation of the POWER project.
Agricultural Support for Rupa Homestead Lead Farmers
On March 4, 2025, seven lead farmers from three homestead groups in Rupa Rural Municipality received essential materials for enhancing manure management and promoting vermicomposting. This distribution included 46 CGI sheets, intended for building composting infrastructure, along with eight rolls of garden pipes. Additionally, a 16-liter spray tank was provided specially for tunnel uses.
Community Seed and Food Bank Initiated & IPM FFS Closing Ceremony
On 10 March 2025, Caritas Nepal, Kohalpur, successfully organized a special event to mark the initiation of a Community Seed and Food Bank and the closing of the IPM FFS. More than 100 participants, including members of three homestead groups, one enterprise group, cooperative members, and other key stakeholders, participated in this ceremony. A highlight of the program was the local seed demonstration, where participants displayed locally available seeds at group-wise stalls, showcasing the rich agricultural diversity of the community. To ensure the smooth operation of the seed and food bank, an 11-member management committee was formed. The ward chairperson officially announced the venue for the seed and food bank at the ward office. The program was chaired by Laxmi Shahi, chairperson of the Hariyali IPM Group, while the Chief Guest was the ward chairperson of ward No. 1, along with the head of the agriculture department of Baijanath Rural Municipality.
Educating Farmers about Livestock Health in Nawalpur, Surkhet and Banke
Caritas Nepal, in collaboration with the Devchuli Municipality and the Nawapur Animal Health Branch, organized an animal health camp on March 10 and 11, 2025, benefiting 160 farmers over two days. This initiative highlights the municipality’s commitment to improving local livestock health and educating farmers. On March 23, in Surkhet, animal health technicians treated goat wounds at another animal health camp. Additionally, Caritas Nepal, with technical support from the Baijanath Rural Municipality Livestock Department, held an animal health camp on March 29 at Baijanath RM Ward No. 1 in Chisapani and Gavar. This camp provided veterinary counseling and medications to 150 farmers, contributing to enhanced livestock health. Technicians castrated 14 goats and administered essential medicines and injections to prevent diseases and promote overall health. The initiative aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods by ensuring the well-being of their animals.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change training in Ghusel
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change training sessions were conducted on March 14 and 21, 2025, in Ghusel, Bagmati Rural Municipality-1. These training initiatives aimed to enhance community resilience and preparedness in the face of environmental challenges. Additionally, during the DRR training on March 21, an important meeting was held with all participating groups to finalize the names of beneficiaries for solar tap distribution. Following this collaborative discussion and in consultation with the Ward Chairman, the names of 19 individuals were confirmed for the distribution of these solar-powered water taps.
Caritas Nepal organized Plant Clinic for Farmers in Surkhet
On March 19th, 2025, Caritas Nepal, in collaboration with Panchapuri Municipality, organized a one-day camp to assist farmers with their crops. The event was held in Ward 6 of the municipality, where farmers presented samples of their wheat, beans, cucumbers, onions, gourds, garlic, and tomatoes. Experts examined these samples to identify any issues and then provided the farmers with the appropriate pesticides to address the problems.
Sustainable Income Generation: Handicrafts and Food Processing Training.
Starting on March 24th, 2025, a ten-day training program began in Rajapur District, specifically in wards 6 and 10, focused on teaching women how to make handicrafts from banana fiber. This program, part of NLRP-II, is designed to help 14 local women learn valuable skills for creating income in a sustainable way, covering everything from processing the fiber to crafting various handmade items. In a similar effort to enhance local livelihoods, in Jhapa, a two-day practical skills training on tomato processing was held on March 28th and 29th. This training involved 35 participants who learned how to make tomato sauce and understand its market value, giving them the ability to possibly start their own small businesses.
Developing Market Strategies for Vegetable Producers in Ghusel.
On 12 March 2025, a Market Strategy Development Workshop was conducted in Ghusel, Bagmati Rural Municipality, including a brief presentation on NLRP. The workshop focused on sharing objectives and reviewing the current situation of vegetable production and marketing, emphasizing off-season production and various marketing channels. A SWOT analysis was performed, which led to the formation of a “Market Management Coordination Committee” consisting of 11 members (2 females and 9 males) and an advisory committee of 2 males. In total, there were 36 participants, including representatives from the municipality, wards, livestock cooperatives, NGOs, collators, farmers, and CN staff. Following the workshop, the first meeting of the Marketing Coordination Committee took place at the ward Office on 28 March, attended by representatives from all associations, organizations, NGOs, and the president of Industrial and Trade Management.
GeoKrishi: A Digital Platform for Climate-Smart Farming.
On March 24th and 25th, 2025, Geo Krishi orientation sessions were held for farmers in Jhapa and Ilam, respectively, with a total of 52 farmers participating. Caritas Nepal has been promoting the use of the digital app Geo Krishi, a platform that empowers farmers in Nepal by providing location-specific agricultural information. This includes timely advisories, market prices, and weather forecasts. Additionally, Geo Krishi promotes climate-smart practices, facilitates connections with experts, and improves market access through data-driven solutions, ultimately aiming to enhance farm productivity and profitability.
Promoting Insurance for Mitigation of Losses in Livestock Enterprise
Caritas Nepal is initiating efforts to mitigate livestock risks through insurances in all its working districts, especially for farmers involved in livestock and banana enterprises. Recently, in March, Caritas, in collaboration with Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company, implemented this initiative in Rupa Rural Municipality, Ward 7, Kapase Dharapani Bhasmelithar Ditthagau. This initiative insured 18 goats belonging to 11 local farmers. The insurance coverage aims to protect the farmers’ investments in livestock against potential losses due to disease, accidents, or other unforeseen events, thereby enhancing their resilience and promoting sustainable livestock management practices.
Cross-learning Exposure Visit for farmers of Nawlapur
On March 27th, 2025, a cross-learning exposure visit was organized for 42 farmers from Devchuli Municipality, Ward No. 1, Nawalpur. This visit aimed to provide practical, firsthand experience and knowledge. The farmers visited the Baidi Organic Agriculture Farm and Research Center in Budhyauli, Chitwan, where they could observe and learn about organic farming practices and research innovations. They also visited the Him Unnat Jat Goat Farm, gaining insights into improved goat breeding and management techniques.
Cooperative Education Orientation
On March 21, 2025, the cooperative ‘Shree Bijayata Mahila Bikash Multipurpose,’ supported by Caritas Nepal, organized a one-day cooperative education orientation in Kalabanjar, Bardiya, Rajapur Municipality-10.25 women members were orientated through this session. The primary objective of this orientation was to expand the cooperative’s membership by attracting new share members. The session covered essential cooperative principles, the benefits of membership, and operational processes of the cooperative
Enhancing knowledge of Cooperative Members through Legal Rights and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Training
On March 7th, Aguwa Agriculture Cooperative organized a training session on Legal Rights and Referral Support Processes related to GBV. This training, facilitated by Mr. Khamb Singh Banset (CN FO Bardiya) and Mr. Dhan Bdr. Khadka (Police Office), aimed to equip 30 cooperative members and women’s network representatives with the knowledge and skills to address and respond to GBV. This initiative seeks to enhance gender awareness, address social inequalities, and strengthen support systems within the cooperative and the community.
Identifying Social Problems: Gender Analysis Workshop at Aguwa Cooperative.
On March 4th, 2025, the cooperative ‘Aguwa Agriculture,’ supported by Caritas Nepal, conducted a Gender and Social Situation Analysis workshop, with a total of 38 participants, including 27 women and 11 men, representing the cooperative, ward representatives, and the women’s network. The workshop focused on a practical session using gender analysis tools to identify prevailing social problems and situations within the community. Similarly, on March 5, 2025, a session on the legal referral process for gender-based violence at the community level was completed in Nawalparasi, with 35 people participating. The session was facilitated by Advocate Kopila Poudel from the Divya Jyoti Agricultural Cooperative in Devchuli, 1 Keureni.
Celebrating 115th International Women’s Day throughout NLRP-II working locations
Marking the date, March 8th, 2025, several impactful events were organized across the region to celebrated 115th International Women’s Day. In Banke, Baijanath Rural Municipality, Caritas Nepal collaborated to conduct an orientation on CEDAW and the Beijing Manifesto. The event also featured a speech competition on women’s rights, a musical chair competition, and a traditional pot-breaking game. Honorable Sanju Chaudhary, a member of the Lumbini Province Assembly, inaugurated the event, which was chaired by Mrs. Nirmala Rokaya, Vice Chairperson of Baijanath Rural Municipality. A total of 71 participants attended, mainly women, including rural municipality staff, people’s representatives, health volunteers, and child club members. Similarly, the Women Empowerment Multipurpose Cooperative Society in Surkhet celebrated the day by organizing games and awarding prizes to the competitors. In Kaski, the Bhumekot Consumer Cooperative, with support from Caritas Nepal, hosted an awareness program on social security and domestic violence, facilitated by Advocate Prakash Chandra Tripathi. Furthermore, Bhagwatimai Rural Municipality in Dailekh celebrated with 160 participants engaging in a chair and stool throwing competition. In Nawalpur, at Botemajhi Community Homestay, seven groups including four home garden farming groups, two micro-enterprise groups, goat farming cooperatives, and homestays celebrated by presenting songs and dances focused on the current slogan including an orientation on the importance and history of Women’s Day was also held, attended by 80 people.
Refresher training for Mediator Personnel in Devchuli Municipality, Nawalpur
A three-day refresher training on mediation center was conducted from March 16 to 18, 2024, Nawalpur . The training was organized by Devchuli Municipality in collaboration with Caritas Nepal for the 51 mediators serving in the 17 wards of the municipality. The training aimed to address various issues, including complaints of disputes received in the wards, challenges faced during dispute resolution, the role of mediators in providing legal remedies, and effective methods for resolving disputes. Parbata Tiwari, Deputy Mayor and Judicial Committee Coordinator, emphasized the importance of mediators in facilitating all development and construction activities within the municipality and assisting in dispute resolution. The opening session of the training was chaired by Parbata Tiwari and featured chief guest Hari Prasad Neupane, Mayor of Devchuli Municipality. Other attendees included Chief Administrative Officer Diwakar Poudel, Municipal Spokesperson Til Prasad Kafle, ward chairpersons, executive members, mediators, and representatives from Caritas Nepal. The training sessions were facilitated by Advocate Indu Tuladhar and Ganesh Sapkota, the Legal Advisor of Devchuli Municipality.The training aims to equip mediators to implement the provisions of the Constitution and the Local Government Operation Act 2074 BS, enabling them to effectively resolve disputes at the local level and contribute to establishing peace in the community. Link to online news featured at online portal.
Promoting Gender Awareness: Student Training in Four Locations.
On March 3, 2025, Shree Janachetana Ma. B. (Rajapur-10 Mangalpur) celebrated the closing ceremony of its 15-week “Gender Sensitization Class,” part of the NLRP-II initiative. This event honored the completion of training for 29 students, who shared their valuable insights from the program. Aimed at promoting gender awareness and sensitivity, the initiative was launched in four locations: Bardiya, Kanchanpur, Lalitpur, and Kaski, with a total of 89 students enrolled across these locations. While the ceremony marked the conclusion of the program in Rajapur, classes continue in the other three locations, reflecting a continuous commitment to education on gender equity and social inclusion.
Child Rights and Protection: Orientation for SMC, Teacher and Parents.
On March 12th, 2025, an orientation on child rights and protection was conducted at Bhanu Secondary School, located in Laljhadi Rural Municipality-2, Kanchanpur. This session was specially designed for the School Management Committee (SMC), teachers, and parents, with a total of 35 participants. The orientation covered important aspects of child rights, as well as practical strategies for ensuring the safety and well-being of children within the school and community. By engaging these important partcipants, the initiative aimed to strengthen the school’s capacity to support child protection standards and create a safe and supportive learning environment.
