Climate Change affects Nepal’s agriculture sector, which employs over two-third of the population and contributes to one-third of the country’s GDP. Climate change, in the form of increased temperatures, erratic precipitation, uncertain seasons and increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, is expected to exacerbate food security challenges by impacting food production, disrupting supply chains and raising food prices.  This means adaptation and continual learning become essential. 

Promoting conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity and scaling up of agroecological farming practices are two important components of the Scaling up Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in Nepal project. The project will focus on low-external-input based practices rather than transfer and adoption of input-intensive technologies and practices for responding to climate change.  

The long-term impact goal of the project is to contribute to sustainable livelihoods and build resilience of smallholder and women farmers in Nepal. The project promotes agroecological farming approach that utilizes and promotes crop diversity, improves soil health, conserves and sustainably utilizes water and other natural resources, maximizes utilization of local resources, as well as empowers women, indigenous communities and smallholder farmers. 

The target group of the project are smallholder farmers (farmers having <0.5 ha is categorized as smallholder households in Nepal) from marginalized households, particularly women and youths. The project aims to reach 250 HHs in Sindupalchok district, 1150 HHs in Kaski district, and 109 HHs in Syangja district. Among 1,509 households, the project will ensure that at least 70% of direct beneficiaries are women who have power over agricultural decision making.