RECOFTC Nepal
ຂ່າວສານ

Building livelihoods: trees, bees and goats!

‘Trees and Bees’ is a project that has demonstrated success in promoting inclusion, leadership, and better income for women. Now, the project reaches new communities adding goats to the livelihoods mix.
The local community ready with their goats.

 

Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal
Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal is vulnerable to flash floods during the monsoon season and drought during the winter. About 27 percent of the people live in extreme poverty including women and the Dalits, who are considered “untouchables” and are religiously, culturally, socially, economically and historically oppressed and excluded. Most of the communities depend on fishing and daily wages, with a smaller group relying on low-income agriculture and related products. Recognizing the need for better livelihood options, communities identified livestock farming as a lucrative opportunity with a profit of US$ 200 - 350 per quarter.

In 2015, RECOFTC Nepal launched a pilot project ‘Trees and Bees’ to support women-led community groups in Bishnupur and Pragatisil of Sarlahi District, Nepal. The project promotes inclusion, forest management, leadership and alternative livelihoods to generate more income through the practice of beekeeping.

Since then, beneficiaries have increased their income, and Trees and Bees approach has proven effective. The project received recognition from national and international donors and stakeholders, and the approach and experiences have been shared in various forums.

Building on the successes and lessons of Trees and Bees, RECOFTC Nepal is expanding the project to Indrawati Rural Municipality in the Sindhupalchowk District. This time, rather than bees, the focus is on livestock farming as an alternative and better suited livelihood option to improve agroforestry practices in the community. Enhancing the community's capacity is a priority for the project. It provides alternative livelihoods that would help them adapt to climate change, add value to produced goods and enhance livestock quality.

The approach of using sustainable forest practices and generating income remains at the heart of the project’s design and delivery.  In collaboration with Divisional Forest Office and Indrawati Rural Municipality, the project started in September 2022. It supports three leasehold forest users' groups: Koyaltar Pakha, Badahare Pakha and Dhap Pakha. RECOFTC Nepal provided 45 goats to 22 of the most vulnerable and marginalized households in the municipality.