Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development (LI-BIRD), in collaboration with Felm Nepal and with financial support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, has been implementing the “SAKSHAM Project” (Strengthening Capacity of Smallholder Farmers for Resilient Livelihoods) in Kanchanpur and Doti districts. The project aims to improve food and nutrition security, income, and climate resilience of persons with disabilities, women, freed Kamaiyas, freed Haliyas, landless, and marginalized farming communities living in those districts. Initiated in 2022, by December 2025, the project had directly reached 3,673 households. Many of these households have significantly improved their resilience and socioeconomic conditions through project support and their own efforts. This booklet presents inspiring transformation stories of 13 representative individuals both men and women who have experienced such change. It also includes experiences, insights, and suggestions from local cooperatives, market actors, and stakeholders involved in the project.
All personal, family, economic, and social information included here has been published with prior consent. Special thanks go to the staff of LI-BIRD, cooperative leaders, local market management committees, various stakeholders, and all personnel who worked tirelessly in the field to improve the food security, nutrition, income, and overall resilience of marginalized people. We also express sincere gratitude to the local, provincial, and federal governments and related agencies for their collaboration and support in this project’s activities.