How One Woman Farmer from Nepal Turned a Small Loan into a Lifeline
Samjhana lives in Mandandeupur, a rugged region in central Nepal near the Tibetan border. Life here is shaped by the land: steep slopes, seasonal monsoons, and weather patterns that have become increasingly unpredictable due to climate change. Deadly floods and landslides often devastate farms and communities, making every growing season a gamble for survival.
Most families rely on small-scale farming to maintain their livelihoods. For women like Samjhana, the stakes are even higher. Many juggle household work, childcare, and demanding farm labor. In these conditions, even the slightest opportunity can mean the difference between hunger and hope.
That’s exactly what happened when Samjhana joined a local women’s savings and credit group with the help of our partner, BBP Pariwar.
From one small loan to financial independence
Women’s savings and credit groups pool small amounts of money from members, creating a shared fund that offers interest-free loans to support one another’s farming or business ventures. These funds are often inaccessible in remote areas in Nepal or bear high interest rates. The model emphasizes mutual trust, social bonds, and shared accountability, helping women support each other in building financial independence and more secure livelihoods.
Samjhana received an interest-free loan through the group to purchase a milking buffalo. And that small step changed everything for her. Her first buffalo quickly became the cornerstone of her livelihood. Some of the milk improved her children’s nutrition, and she sold the rest to cover household expenses, maintain her farm, and repay her loan in small, manageable installments.
Over time, her determination and the help of her credit and savings group enabled her to expand her efforts. Today, she cares for four healthy buffaloes, whose milk provides income and ensures her family has 2.5 liters daily for improved nutrition. With her newfound financial independence, Samjhana can now confidently support her family’s well-being. She has become a role model for other women in her community, inspiring them to take steps to break free from poverty.
“I am grateful to BBP Pariwar for helping me realize my potential. My success is proof that with support, effort, and faith, anyone can rise above their circumstances. Now, I not only support my family with the income from my buffaloes but also contribute to covering the household expenses. (…) I believe that if we put effort into the right direction, we can achieve so much.”
Access to credit remains a significant challenge for women farmers worldwide. According to global data, 36% of women working in agriculture report having less access to financing than their male counterparts. However, if women farmers had equal access to resources and inputs, agricultural production could increase by 2.5 to 4%, potentially reducing global hunger by 12 to 17%. Supporting initiatives such as credit and savings groups is essential for empowering women to achieve financial independence and uplift their communities, promoting equal access to credit and resources for women farmers.
About BBP Pariwar
Boudha Bahanupati Project – Pariwar (BBP-Pariwar) was founded to improve the well-being of rural populations in Nepal, especially women from the socially excluded Dalit class who live in the remote mountainous region of Central Nepal. BBP-Pariwar supports women and individuals in Nepal to restore and regenerate their land and their communities through agroecology and the creation of savings and credit groups.
BPP-Pariwar and Groundswell International focus on assisting women’s efforts to gain greater control over productive resources and decision-making in their households and communities, primarily through the formation of saving and credit groups. BBP-Pariwar helps farmers incorporate small livestock into farming systems, agroecological training, and the distribution of native seeds and model farms to improve agroecological transitions. They aim to support the transition to agroecology while improving household nutrition and access to nutritious crops.
Learn More: https://bbppariwar.org.np/
Invest in women farmers to build brighter futures
In Nepal, your donation goes further. With fewer international funds reaching the country and a lower cost to implement change, even small contributions create a big impact.
Will you join us in creating this change? Donate to empower more women like Samjhana to build brighter futures.