… agriculture can only be sustainable, if it uses its own seeds. We are delighted that the women are actively processing their own organic seeds and exchanging them amongst themselves.
Special varieties are also preserved on the model farms.
.. seeds are exchanged amongst members of the cooperatives.. the seeds are in demand even beyond the region.. Chyangsar is home to one of the main seed banks
.. special varieties are also stored at the model farm
.. and with confidence, the women in the village sell their organic vegetables, including through brokers. The women in the village also manage the organic cultivation themselves.
.. The vegetables can be sold nationwide through the brokers.. The women bring their organic vegetables to the model farm.. Cauliflower is one of the bestsellers; before 2015, it wasn’t even available here.. The tomatoes from the greenhouses are also very popular in the village
.. plays a central role in the cooperative, primarily coordinating joint marketing activities. It is not always easy to motivate the women in the four villages to work together on their future.
In any case, we are very impressed by how much she has developed personally in recent years.
Many thanks to Fair Styria for supporting marketing in the villages.
..to support the goals in the field of organic vegetable and rice cultivation was the aim of a workshop in Kolkata.
After the team from Nepal visited several local projects, representatives from seven organisations exchanged ideas and discussed the challenges they face.
.. In addition to knowledge, seeds and other local products were also exchanged... Challenges were discussed on various topics... New ideas were developed across organizations... The results were presented.
..at the model farm in Chyangsar. In addition to vegetables and seed production, more fruit can be harvested each year. Alongside apples and kiwis, this year there is a bountiful harvest of persimmons for the first time.
Palm kale was new to the women, so Carola organised a small cooking class and together they created Nepalese dishes.
.. As always, there were lots of flowers to welcome us... Seed extraction is very important... The persimmons are new and everyone loves them... There is lots of palm kale, and it’s big, so we need recipes.
..we have been working together with the 33 women of the cooperative in Merangding on PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification for the cultivation of organic vegetables, Farmers Field Schools to deepen their knowledge, and income generation through sewing and vegetable sales. The model farm with a training hall was set up and marketing opportunities were explored together. Fruit trees grafted in Ghunsa are being cultivated on another field.
The first 18 women have even been recertified this time.
Now the women are equipped to continue growing vegetables and generating income independently. A reason to celebrate.
.. The women speak confidently about their successes... After being examined by the PGS committee, they received their new certificates... Drinking tea and chatting together is part of the experience... The meal includes delicious potato dumpling soup... The mixed crops in the field and greenhouse are exemplary... The women stand proudly next to their small fruit trees.
…we have been working together with the 65 women of the cooperative in Kunikhop (Jaidu, Jyanging, Surke) on PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification for the cultivation of organic vegetables, Farmers’ Field Schools to deepen their knowledge, and income generation through sewing and vegetable sales. The model farm with a training hall has been set up and marketing opportunities have been explored together. The first 17 women have even been recertified this time.
Now the women are equipped to continue growing vegetables and generating income independently. A reason to celebrate.
.. Nestled in the centre of the villages is the model farm, where all training takes place and seedlings are grown.
.. Sensitive vegetables are grown in the greenhouse... Including seedlings – currently for winter vegetables... Participants in the current special training course receive important material for maintaining the greenhouses and fields.
.. The recertification exam was also held as part of the training course.
…towards Solukhumbu. Unfortunately, some of the roads were still impassable. Parts of the road were missing after last year’s floods, and the alternative route through the riverbed was impassable due to the current water level. So we flew to Janakpur and took a jeep to Solu from there.
Many thanks to my team, who always find a solution for everything.
.. we really checked all the options ?.. finally took a plane to Janakpur.. arrived in the evening, delayed as is usual in this country.. after 3 hours in the jeep, we reached the big junction – straight on for 7 hours to cover 96 km, then only 3 more hours ?.. that was the old road to Solukhumbu, no longer in use.. still under construction in some places