Lamjung, Nepal - In a remarkable step towards sustainability and women’s empowerment, farmers in Nepal’s Lamjung district have begun transforming discarded cardamom fibers into valuable handicraft items. This innovative practice, introduced by the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, Project Implementation Unit Lamjung (Manang), is equipping women farmers with skills to turn agricultural waste into economic opportunities.
Traditionally, while cardamom seeds from the region have been a significant source of income, the fibers were left to waste after harvest. Recognizing the potential of these by-products, the initiative trained ten women farmers from Marsyangdi and Kwholasothar rural municipalities to create a range of handicraft products such as door mats, pen holders, hats, sandals, bags, pencil boxes, purses, and even flags.
Hari Bahadur Mizar, the acting head of the project office, highlighted the dual benefits of this initiative. “While the sale of cardamom seeds already provides income, utilizing the fibers for handicrafts ensures additional earnings from what was previously discarded. This is a sustainable model that benefits both the environment and the community,” he remarked.
Farmers participating in the program are optimistic about the economic prospects of this initiative. Sunamaya Tamang, a farmer from Chhinkhola in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, shared her excitement, saying, “Learning to turn cardamom fibers into products like mats and bags has given me a new avenue for income. It feels empowering to utilize what we once considered waste.”
Nainkala Gurung from Kwholasothar echoed similar sentiments. “For twenty years, we cultivated cardamom across eleven ropanis of land, discarding the fibers after harvest. Now, not only can we use them, but we also plan to train others in our community to create these handicrafts,” she said.
The impact of this program extends beyond individual farmers. According to Purna Bahadur Gurung, head of the District Coordination Committee Lamjung, “Handicrafts from waste materials have the potential to significantly increase the income of farmers in Lamjung. Given that cardamom seed sales already brought in NPR 220 million this year, adding value to by-products can further boost the local economy.”
This initiative demonstrates how sustainable practices can empower communities, particularly women, by providing them with skills to generate income while reducing waste. It sets a model for agricultural regions globally, showing that even discarded materials can drive economic and social progress when utilized thoughtfully.
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