Towards Climate Resilient Agriculture in Nepal: Solutions for smallholder farmers
Authors: Thomas Samuel , Baker Elaine , Aryal Kamal , Thygesen Kristina , Dhakal Rajendra , Sharma Oshin , Sinisalo Anna 
Published: December 2024

Nepal, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, is facing severe impacts from climate change, particularly in its agricultural sector, which employs two-thirds of the population and contributes more than a quarter of the nation’s GDP. Smallholder farmers, the backbone of this sector, are grappling with rising temperatures, erratic monsoon patterns, droughts, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Adapting to these challenges through Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) is essential to ensuring food security and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions.

CRA incorporates nature-based practices, such as biological pest control and organic fertilization, alongside modern technologies like digital agroadvisory services and advanced weather forecasting. These strategies aim to stabilize crop yields and farmers’ incomes amid climate variability. With many men migrating for work, the feminization of labour in agriculture has created opportunities for women to take on leadership roles in farm management. For CRA to be effective, increased support in resources, insurance, and government subsidies is crucial.

The Green Resilient Agriculture Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) project, led by ICIMOD, focuses on developing socially inclusive, climateresilient agricultural technologies in Nepal’s Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. Through 19 community learning centres, the project empowers local smallholder farmers by facilitating on-farm experiments and action research, enabling them to witness the effectiveness of CRA firsthand. GRAPE emphasizes gender equality and equitable resource access, promoting gender-friendly tools and encouraging women’s participation in digital services and collaborative research.

Through action research, GRAPE has tested over 40 climate-resilient agricultural technologies designed to foster resilience to climate change. These innovative, nature-based strategies address soil degradation as well as plant pests and diseases. The project has engaged more than 2,500 smallholder farmers, the majority of whom are women.

Water scarcity in rain-fed farming areas presents another pressing challenge, prompting farmers to adopt innovative conservation methods. Access to renewable energy is transforming agriculture for many who previously relied on non-electric methods. Solar-powered and hybrid energy initiatives are enhancing productivity and promoting economic stability.

This book illustrates the power of a bottom-up approach that prioritizes farmers’ needs. Witnessing the benefits of action research motivates farmers to adopt climate-resilient technologies. However, continued support from local experts is essential to help them navigate ongoing challenges. To boost food security in Nepal, it is crucial to implement incentive mechanisms, increase local expert guidance, and enhance access to information through digital agro-advisory services and workshops. On a broader scale, developing national strategies to improve agricultural productivity, connect farmers to markets, and increase subsidies for CRA and renewable energy is essential. Building institutional capacity in CRA through educational integration and prioritizing relevant research will further support farmers in successfully implementing climate-resilient practice