LI-BIRD, under the Green Evolution Project, successfully organized a three-day training on the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) at the Karnali Province Training Academy from 12-14 August 2026. The training capacitated 17 farmers, 3 local level technicians and 8 project staff from Surkhet, Dailekh, and Jumla districts.
The primary objective of the training was to strengthen participants’ knowledge and technical skills on the PGS and its role in promoting organic and sustainable agriculture. Specifically, the training aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of PGS principles, processes, and implementation; build technical capacity for PGS certification; develop local master trainers capable of facilitating PGS activities within farmer groups; and encourage the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices through participatory approaches.
The training followed a highly interactive and practical learning approach, combining presentations, group discussions, question-and-answer sessions, experience sharing, and hands-on exercises. Participants gained practical experience in farm documentation and record-keeping, peer inspection procedures, mock PGS assessments, and certification processes. A field visit to an existing PGS group further provided valuable exposure to real-world implementation, enabling participants to connect classroom learning with practical application. The training was facilitated by Mr. Bibek Dhital from HASERA, who guided participants through both the theoretical foundations and practical application of the PGS.
Throughout the three days, participants explored a wide range of topics, including:
- Principles of Organic farming and importance of certification
- Introduction to Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): objectives, principles, and implementation process
- Farm documentation and record-keeping, such as registration, documentation, peer review, inspection, and certification procedures
- Roles and responsibilities of coordinators, inspectors, and farmers
- PGS standards, inspection reporting, corrective actions, and group action planning
- Practical field demonstrations, group exercises, and participant feedback sessions
The training developed 17 local trainers equipped to lead and facilitate PGS implementation within farmer groups by enhancing their knowledge and technical capacity in PGS principles, processes, and certification. It also helped strengthen local readiness to promote credible organic certification through participatory approaches and expand sustainable agricultural practices across Karnali Province.
By investing in local knowledge and leadership, the Green Evolution Project continues to support resilient farming communities and strengthen sustainable food systems through community-driven organic certification.
“The Green Evolution: Pathways to Food Systems Transformation” is a multi-country project being implemented in Nepal, India (lead), and Bangladesh with technical support from Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and funding support from German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project aims to contribute to robust local food systems that safeguard people’s right to safe, healthy food, promote food sovereignty for local communities, and build up resilience to climate change (SDG goal #2).