Key Stakeholders and Experts Commit for Collective Vision on Draft National Agroecology Roadmap

Authors:

Karishma Gurung

Sustainable agriculture plays a vital role in achieving long-term food and nutrition security, especially in the face of growing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, degradation of natural resources, and concerns about human health. Agroecology is increasingly recognized as a key approach for transforming food systems by applying ecological principles to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources and the maintenance of essential ecosystem services. Defined as “an integrated approach that applies both ecological and social concepts to the design and management of food and agricultural systems,” agroecology is being acknowledged as a crucial driver for food systems transformation that contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as various national and international commitments and priorities, such as the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, National Agriculture Policy (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), 16th Periodic Plan etc.

In support to these goals, the initiative “Scaling up Agroecology in the Himalayas: Towards a Common Roadmap” has been launched. It is a joint international endeavor, aiming to facilitate the improvement of livelihoods and sustainability within the Himalayan region. The initiative contributes to the Indo-German Lighthouse Initiative on Agroecology and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. It is financed by the Special Initiative ‘Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems’ of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which both are core partners of the initiative.

Through close collaboration with governments in the region, support from a broad group of stakeholders in the Agroecology Himalaya Task Force, the World Future Council (WFC), and IFOAM – Organics International (IFOAM-OI), as well as assistance from renowned implementing entities (India: Bioversity-CIAT and UNDP India, Nepal: LI-BIRD and Bhutan: Tarayana Foundation), the Himalayan Agroecology Initiative is a multi-stakeholder process in the Himalayan region focused on the development and implementation of a roadmap for sustainable food systems, contributing to strengthening farmers, producer organizations and governments.

In the context of Nepal, LI-BIRD in collaboration with its partners (Welthungerhilfe, WHH Nepal and Danchurch Aid, DCA Nepal) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and its agencies, aims to create a national agroecology roadmap. The project’s overall goal is the development of a national roadmap for sustainable food systems in Nepal through a comprehensive approach, addressing all aspects related to food and agriculture in the country. It focuses on existing or planned interventions like sustainable agriculture along with the entire value chain from production to consumption, including areas where policy changes or transformations are necessary. With the Vision, “Agroecology for Equitable, Resilient and Sustainable Food System”, the core strategic objectives of the roadmap include Promoting healthy agro-ecosystems, ensuring ecologically sound production factors and inputs, building efficient and Sustainable value chains and trade, promoting nutritious, healthy and sustainable diets and strengthening inclusive food system governance.

To build on this foundation, there are series of ongoing initiatives for the development of the agroecological roadmap draft. As part of the process, a review of Policies, Strategies, and Legislation Relevant to Agroecology-based Food Systems Development was conducted to understand the current framework. Following this, a Technical Working Committee (TWC) was established, tasked with conducting comprehensive policy reviews, stakeholder mapping, organizing consultation workshops, and contributing to actionable strategies and recommendations. These TWG members were selected through an inclusive and participatory process, ensuring representation from key actors in agroecology, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Department of Agriculture (DoA), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Department of Livestock Services (DoLS), civil society organizations (CSOs), farmers’ representatives, and others. Subsequent meetings of the Technical Working Committee (TWC) have focused on formulating the roadmap’s goals, themes, and strategies based on policy reviews, stakeholder mapping, and input from this diverse representation of experts. A draft outline has been prepared, focusing on the goals and strategies of the Agroecological Roadmap.

As part of these initiatives, a half-day national consultation workshop was held at the Social Work Institute (SWI) in Nakhu, Lalitpur, on 13 September 2024 with the primary objectives of sharing the National Agroecology Roadmap Framework, providing a progress update, and discussing work plans. This event is a key step toward shaping Nepal’s agroecological pathway, aiming to gather input and feedback on the initial roadmap framework, draft thematic areas, and objectives through broader consultation with national stakeholders. There were a total of 37 participants in the workshop, including the Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), and representatives from various I/NGOs such as DCA, WHH, UNDP, CSRC, SWI, WWF Nepal, FIAN Nepal, Digo Bikash Institute, Krishiban Srot Kendra, and SAHAS Nepal. Additionally, entrepreneurs such as the Community Seed Bank Association, Raithane, and Muna Krishi Ltd., as well as academia from IAAS (Tribhuvan University) and representatives from farmers’ group along with LI-BIRD, were also present. All of them hold a significant stake, influence, and expertise in agroecology and the development of agroecological roadmap for Nepal.

Photo: Group photo of participants

It provided opportunities to share progress, gather inputs and feedback, and validate the strategic themes, components, and initial draft objectives identified by the Technical Working Committee (TWC). This was carried out through a participatory approach, ensuring that the roadmap focused on promoting agroecosystem health, ecologically sound production practices, efficient value chains, the promotion of healthy and sustainable diets, and strengthening inclusive food system governance, while highlighting critical policy transitions. Ultimately, the consultation process guided TWC in moving forward with the elaboration of the Agroecology Roadmap, including specific actions, indicators, and an implementation strategy.

The workshop was divided into two sessions. The first, chaired by Dr. Narahari P. Ghimire, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, was moderated by Ms. Rita Gurung from LI-BIRD. Mr. Bharat Bhandari, Executive Director of LI-BIRD, opened the session by welcoming participants and outlining the workshop’s background and objectives.

Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha, Joint Secretary and Coordinator of the TWC, delivered the keynote presentation, where he outlined the framework for the Agroecology Roadmap, discussing its rationale, draft thematic areas, objectives, and work plans.

Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha, Joint Secretary, MoALD
  • “Conventional agriculture relies heavily on monoculture, synthetic inputs, and machinery, leading to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and over-reliance on external resources.”
  • “Rationale for agroecology in Nepal: Enhances climate resilience and conserves agrobiodiversity, Improves livelihoods and household resilience in small-scale farming”

Dr. Devendra Gauchan, a food policy expert, followed with a presentation on the background, current status, and policy review for Nepal’s Agroecology Roadmap.

Photo: Dr. Devendra Gauchan, Food policy Expert
  • “Agroecology roadmap is required in Nepal because of the reasons such as Food Sovereignty & Social Equity: Aligns with the Constitution of Nepal (2015) to promote food sovereignty and social equity”
  • “While various policies touch on elements of agroecology (e.g., organic farming, climate adaptation), there is no overarching national policy specifically dedicated to agroecology, which limits the systematic promotion of agroecological practices.”
  • “Identifying gaps in existing food systems policy and regulatory frameworks and misalignments with the transition to agroecology is therefore an important step for transformation.”

The session progressed with a brief Q&A, where participants engaged in discussions and sought clarifications. The session concluded with the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, who reiterated his support for the National Agroecology Roadmap.

Dr. Narahari P. Ghimire, DG from Department of Agriculture.

“We have full support on the Agroecological roadmap that aligns with Nepal’s context, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of our diverse agroecosystems. By embracing sustainable practices that promote environmental health, economic resilience, and social equity, we can ensure a brighter future for our farmers and communities”

The second session, chaired by Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha, began with the formation of teams and a briefing on group work for the five thematic areas: Promoting healthy Agroecosystem, Ensuring Production Factors & Inputs, Value Chain & Trade, Healthy Diets, and Governance. Participants worked in groups to explore key issues, objectives, action points, and the strategic relevance of each theme for the National Agroecology Roadmap. Members of the TWC facilitated these group discussions.

Participants then engaged in group discussions focused on their assigned themes, exploring key issues, objectives, action points, and the strategic relevance of each theme for the development of the National Roadmap on Agroecology. The discussions were facilitated by members of the Technical Working Committee (TWC). After the group discussions, team coordinators presented their findings through presentations. This was followed by a discussion session, allowing participants to further engage in the dialogue.

Photo: Uddhav Adhikari, Farmers’ representative, Alliance of Agriculture for Food.
  • “We need to collaborate with various ministries and hold consecutive meetings with farmer and consumer organizations to address challenges in soil, fertilizers, and seeds, ensuring diverse perspectives and fostering ownership in the process.”
  • “To enhance our food system, we must revise policies to reflect our unique context while applying internal and external pressure to the authorities for effective formulation and implementation of a sustainable roadmap.”

“Agroecology Course Revision at IAAS Underway” Dr. Kishor Dahal, Dean of IAAS, TU, announced that the revision of the agroecology course is in progress. A recent meeting with a consumer agency focused on gathering feedback for the update. The revision aims to raise awareness of the negative impacts of pesticide use and promote sustainable farming practices, aligning the course with current agricultural challenges and environmental concerns.

Photo: Dr. Kishor Dahal, Dean IAAS, TU.

Subsequently, Dr. Santosh Shrestha from LI-BIRD provided a summary of the session and outlined the way forward. He emphasized that the roadmap is being developed through a participatory process, with this consultation marking an initial stage in the discussion. He noted that the current draft will incorporate the insights gained from group discussions across various themes. To further refine the roadmap, two additional national consultations are planned to gather input on the draft. Additionally, provincial consultations will be conducted to validate and finalize the draft.

Photo: Dr. Bal Krishna Joshi, Chief, Gene bank, Nepal Agriculture Research Council.

Following this, the session concluded with closing remarks from the co-chairperson, Dr. Bal Krishna Joshi from Gene bank, NARC. He highlighted that the TWC holds great respect for the views of all participants. He remarked that the program has successfully fostered a sense of ownership among national stakeholders while capturing diverse perspectives. He further mentioned that the committee would continue discussing the valuable inputs provided, with the aim of incorporating them into the roadmap. He emphasized that the draft roadmap remains a living document, open to ongoing revision and improvement. He concluded the workshop by expressing gratitude to all participants.

In conclusion, the national consultation workshop on Nepal’s Agroecology Roadmap has built a strong foundation for transforming the country’s food systems. By engaging a diverse group of participants, important feedback was collected to shape the roadmap’s key themes and goals. This collaborative process ensures that the roadmap addresses Nepal’s specific agroecological challenges, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and social equity. With ongoing support from stakeholders, the roadmap will guide the creation of a more sustainable and fair food system in Nepal, aligning with global goals like the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. Further consultations will ensure the roadmap is thorough and inclusive.