Nawalparasi, Nepal - Smallholder farmers in Bulingtar Rural Municipality-01, Nawalparasi, are witnessing a quiet but meaningful transformation of their livelihoods through the LEAF Project (Livelihood Enhancement of Ginger and Turmeric Growing Smallholder Farmers), supported by CHARIS, Singapore.
The project promotes sustainable and agro-ecological farming practices, enabling farmers to make productive use of underutilised land while strengthening household food security and climate resilience.
One such example is Mrs. Khumisara Aale, an active member of Akaladevi Krishak Samuha, who has successfully converted two ropani of previously barren land into a productive and diversified farm. With seeds provided by the project and financial support of NPR 6,000 for land preparation, she cultivated lentils, peas, and mustard using a mixed cropping system.
This diversified approach has helped improve soil health, reduce dependency on single crops, and minimise the risk of crop failure. By maximising land use through crop diversity, Mrs. Aale has strengthened both farm productivity and household food availability.
In addition, she has established a diversified kitchen garden, applying agro-ecological practices with vegetable seeds supported by the project. What was once unproductive land now supplies fresh vegetables for family consumption, contributing directly to improved nutrition and food security.
Local project facilitators say such farmer-led transformations reflect the broader impact of the LEAF Project, which focuses on empowering smallholder farmers with practical resources, ecological knowledge, and confidence to adopt sustainable farming systems.
As climate change and land degradation continue to challenge rural livelihoods in Nepal, initiatives like the LEAF Project demonstrate how agro-ecological practices, when combined with targeted support, can turn barren land into a foundation for resilience, dignity, and hope.
