Nepal

Horticulture Innovation Lab in Nepal

As part of Feed the Future, the Horticulture Innovation Lab has conducted research in Nepal focused on improving fruit and vegetable production, conservation agriculture practices, and improving local seed systems.

This page includes links to Horticulture Innovation Lab research projects, major partners and partner organizations based in Nepal, along with blog articles and information products with a focus on horticulture in Nepal.

USAID Information

Project

Mitigating soilborne diseases to improve smallholder farmer livelihoods and food security in Nepal

Led by Ram Khadka, Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)

To ensure long-term food and nutritional security for marginalized farmers in Nepal, this project focuses on developing accessible technologies to reduce soil-borne pathogens to increase vegetable production yields.

Nepal

Empowering youth entrepreneurs through appropriate horticulture interventions in Nepal

Led by Rishikesh Dhakal, FORWARD Nepal

This project engages youth in gender-inclusive horticultural enterprise through the identification of profitable opportunities and creation of an effective financing framework, thus empowering young entrepreneurs to select and run successful horticultural businesses.

Nepal

Advancing technology based on urban and peri-urban horticulture needs in Bangladesh and Nepal

Led by Kalyani Tripathi, Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU)

This project focuses on enhancing urban and peri-urban community access to nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, while creating employment opportunities for the local community, and promoting women and youth entrepreneurship development.

Nepal, Bangladesh

Representative shows jar of seeds and drying beads to television reporter in Thailand.

Implementing drying beads for seeds in Asia and Africa

Led by Kent Bradford, University of California, Davis

Improving the ability of smallholder farmers to access high-quality seeds of improved varieties of horticultural crops is fundamental to increasing farmer productivity and incomes.

Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda

Promoting conservation agriculture for vegetable growers in Cambodia and Nepal

Led by Manuel Reyes, Kansas State University

In regions of Cambodia and Nepal, water can be scarce for extended periods, negatively affecting horticultural crop production and food security.

Cambodia, Nepal

Young man holds jar of seeds and drying beads in vegetable seed repository in Nepal.

Introducing new seed storage technologies in Nepal, Thailand, India

Led by Kent Bradford, University of California, Davis

High quality seeds of improved vegetable varieties are essential to enhance the production of annual horticultural crops.

Nepal, Thailand, India

Testing cell phone-based extension services in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka

Led by Mywish Maredia, Michigan State University

Advances in telecommunication technologies and rapid uptake of cell phones by millions of growers provide excellent opportunities for delivering real-time information to growers in rural areas.

India, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Articles

Farmers learning-by-doing about ASD, in severely infested root knot nematode field at Hetauda. Image credit: Ram Khadka.

Improving soil health for increased yields, profitability and enhanced nutrition in Nepal and Bangladesh

In Nepal, a lack of crop rotation has exacerbated soilborne diseases, leading to decreased farm profitability and discouraging younger generations from farming. Learn how Dr. Ram B. Khadka and Dr. Ranjana Rawal are addressing these issues through anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) trials and capacity strengthening of the farmers in the form of mother and baby trials.

Speakers and attendees seated during workshop.

Accelerating fruit and vegetable breeding in Nepal

By Kristen Becker

Woman leads discussion about a garden map with a group of community members at an educational event

How international experiences helped propel these NC State alumni into ag extension careers

Traveling to work with farmers abroad via the Trellis Fund provided insights that drove these students' careers forward.

Young man takes notes, while older man points to a plant in a field with two women to discuss

New projects in Africa and Asia to help fruit and vegetable farmers, with a little help from U.S. university students

The Horticulture Innovation Lab has awarded 15 new Trellis Fund grants to organizations in Africa and Asia, matching these new projects to 16 graduate students who will provide agriculture expertise requested by the organizations.

Grad student woman looking at paper test indicator offered by a Nepalese man, with group looking on at farm

UH Manoa student helps with farmers’ first soil tests in Nepal

Editor’s note: Tiare Silvasy is a master’s student in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa who participated in a Trellis Fund project led by th

Nine new Trellis Fund projects awarded

The Horticulture Innovation Lab has announced nine new projects led by organizations in Africa and Asia as part of its Trellis Fund program.

Wooden poles hold up plastic sheeting, inside of a greenhouse

Nepal: When greenhouses become tents

In January, our office sent Beth Mitcham to visit farmers in Nepal for the launch of a research project, with partners Manny Reyes and International Development Enterprises (iDE). At the same time, Britta Hansen from UC Davis worked in Nepal with faculty from Kasetsart University to provide a training on improving postharvest practices.

Jars of seed with zeolite drying beads, Horticulture Innovation Lab

‘Dry chain’ partnership helps farmers store seed better

A partnership between university scientists and a private technology company has sprouted both new concepts and new tools that can help vegetable farmers in developing countries access better seeds.

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture

Nepal

Horticulture Innovation Lab in Nepal

USAID Information

Mitigating soilborne diseases to improve smallholder farmer livelihoods and food security in Nepal

Empowering youth entrepreneurs through appropriate horticulture interventions in Nepal

Advancing technology based on urban and peri-urban horticulture needs in Bangladesh and Nepal

Implementing drying beads for seeds in Asia and Africa

Promoting conservation agriculture for vegetable growers in Cambodia and Nepal

Introducing new seed storage technologies in Nepal, Thailand, India

Testing cell phone-based extension services in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka

Articles

Improving soil health for increased yields, profitability and enhanced nutrition in Nepal and Bangladesh

Accelerating fruit and vegetable breeding in Nepal

How international experiences helped propel these NC State alumni into ag extension careers

New projects in Africa and Asia to help fruit and vegetable farmers, with a little help from U.S. university students

UH Manoa student helps with farmers’ first soil tests in Nepal

Nine new Trellis Fund projects awarded

Nepal: When greenhouses become tents

‘Dry chain’ partnership helps farmers store seed better

Rishikesh Dhakal

Sharmila Pun

Ranjana Rawal

Sushil Raj Ghimire

Ram Khadka

Success story: ‘Dry chain’ partnership helps farmers store seed better

Regional fact sheet: Horticulture Innovation Lab in Asia

Journal Article: Postharvest technologies for small-scale farmers in low- and middle-income countries; a call to action

South Asia Regional Horticulture Report

Conservation Agriculture and Integrated Pest Management Practices Improve Yield and Income while Reducing Labor, Pests, Diseases and Chemical Pesticide Use for Smallholder Farmers

Facilitator manual: How to use the chimney solar dryer

Chimney solar dryer: Gender and nutrition technology profile