On what seemed like an ordinary monsoon night, the residents of Ishworpur Municipality in Sarlahi were caught off guard by an unprecedented flood. This was no ordinary flood; it was a catastrophic event brought about by a combination of unplanned urbanization, haphazard construction, and extensive land coverage with concrete. The relentless rain, unable to find its natural course, wreaked havoc as it flowed uncontrollably through the Terai region. The Terai region of Nepal lies along … [Read more...] about Devastating Flood in Nepal Affects Dozens of Families in the Terai Region
South Asia
Agroecology as a Path to Sustainable Growth in India and Nepal
Eastern Nepal and Bihar, India: two regions facing similar challenges Eastern Nepal and the state of Bihar, India face a fair share of challenges. Both countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and experience increasingly unpredictable weather. Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts and floods disrupt planting and harvesting cycles, reducing crop yields and threatening food security. Intensive farming practices and over-reliance on chemical fertilizers have also … [Read more...] about Agroecology as a Path to Sustainable Growth in India and Nepal
Empowering Women in Agriculture: The Transformative Impact of Agroecology and Community-Led Initiatives
Women are essential to furthering the agroecological movement and improving the well-being of their communities and families. However, in many countries worldwide, women are more likely to be denied access to resources needed to be successful in agriculture (land, animals, access to money credit). Agroecology, “the holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems” … [Read more...] about Empowering Women in Agriculture: The Transformative Impact of Agroecology and Community-Led Initiatives
Empowering Women in the Field: Radha’s Story
by Jacob Brescia-Weiler On a hot morning in early June, seated in front of her home surrounded by family and neighbors, Radha Purkoti of Ratmata, Mandan Deupur Municipality, Kavre, shared with me her progress in improving her and her family’s lives. Radha is a livestock and vegetable farmer in the Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. She has been a member of the Jaruwa Sustainable Farming Group since its founding in 2016. Comprised of 28 members, the group is one of 27 women’s savings and … [Read more...] about Empowering Women in the Field: Radha’s Story
Empowering Women in the Field: Binda’s Story
by Jacob Brescia-Weiler Binda Ayu is a tomato farmer in the Sindhuli district of Nepal. As a member of the Creative Women’s Group, the first savings and credit cooperative of its kind in the area, she is supported by Groundswell International and its local partner organization, Sindhuli Integrated Development Services (SIDS/Nepal). Groundswell Programs Empower Women Binda joined the savings and credit group 18 months ago, motivated to access high-yielding variety seeds and support … [Read more...] about Empowering Women in the Field: Binda’s Story
Gathering Voices from the Field: 2022 Global Conference
In September of 2022, we held our annual global conference in India, generously hosted by the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming Program (APCNF). While there, we were able to learn from one of the largest agroecology programs in the world, as well as from women’s groups, farmers, and rural communities. Together with our staff, board of directors, allies, and partners, we spent the week shaping our Strategic Framework for the next five years. Gathering Voices from the … [Read more...] about Gathering Voices from the Field: 2022 Global Conference