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Natural Resource Management
Organic Agriculture | Composting | Demonstration | Plantation | Vetiver
The economy of Nepal is based on agriculture and in the past its farming systems were fully based on the efficient utilization of natural resources available in the surrounding areas. The green revolution technologies were introduced in the sixties in the name of agriculture development that has brought significant change in the farming practices. The trend was shifted from nature based farming to chemical based farming by undermining the inherent potentials of the Nature which has resulted into ecological imbalance, hazards in human health and so many other distortions without any economic benefits to the farming population. CWDS, as development and professional NGO in Nepal, has remained sensitive towards this trend and committed its all efforts in promoting nature based farming systems and ecological regeneration related activities from the very beginning of its establishment.
Natural Forest Regeneration Natural Forest
Organic Agriculture
Sustainable/organic farming systems development and its promotion based on the locally available resources has remained the guiding principles of CWDS in its program implementation from the very beginning of its establishment as a development NGO in Nepal. CWDS has focussed its agriculture related activities in such a way that it helps in reviving the natural capacity of the soil and indigenous wisdom of the people in order to have agriculture sector developed sustaining the ecology, economy, dignity and tradition of the people. The organic agriculture is gaining its ground worldwide and likewise, it is expanding in Nepal as well. CWDS is concentrating its efforts in making the farming community convinced about the relevance and sustainability of organic farming, thus putting its focus on the systems and its practices. There are several individual farmers who have changed their farming practices to organic and are expressing satisfaction in their decision because of the profitability of the farming enterprises and its ecological impact as being observed by the practicing farm families. Organic tea has come to the market and being exported outside the country as well. More tea estates are in conversion stage from conventional to organic because of the economic and ecological profitability of the enterprise as has been realized and observed by the entrepreneurs. This is a great breakthrough in organic movement in commercial sector within Nepal. On small scale, organic vegetables, fruits and herbs are also being produced and marketed.
Compositing
Use of compost has been a traditional practice in the farming systems in Nepal. The duration (of about 8 months) in composting has remained a major factor hindering the adoption of composting practices. The EM (Effective Microorganisms) technology, which was introduced by CWDS in 1996, has become popular in reducing the time in composting (to about 1 month) and in enhancing the efficient use of farm/household residues by way of making compost quickly and its efficient application in the fields.
Compost Heap
Composit
The nutritional and insecticidal uses of animal urine and plant materials are being increasingly used. Compost has been considered as the cheap source of nutrients and animal urine has the efficient insecticidal and medicinal properties in organic farming systems and therefore, CWDS is promoting this component on a wider scale through its training and extension activities. The conversion of waste greens/materials into compost has become prominent besides using green manuring plants directly to the fields. This is an important breakthrough in reducing the use of chemicals in the farming operations.
Demonstration
Demonstration is one of the extension methodology being used to motivate the farmers to observe the benefits of organic farming within their own environment. The converted organic farms in the area are the resource centres for convincing the farming population to make a shift in their farming practices from chemical based to local resource based in order to ensure the household food security and its sustainability besides having positive ecological impact and economic benefits. Several demonstration sites have been established in different areas depending upon the needs of the people and the area. CWDS and its technical team members are assisting few organic tea estates in eastern Nepal in preparing organic matter (compost) out of local materials available through the use of EM technology in the respective tea gardens. The demonstration effect of EM technology has spread in different parts of the country and there is increasing interest among the farming population in spreading this technology in several farming enterprises.
Plantation
The importance of vegetation in and around the farming areas have now been realized by the farming community after observing the immense negative impact (on total farm production, ecology and human health) of clean cultivation which was promoted under green revolution package. Plantation of trees, Vetiver, Napier and other leguminous perennials has been continued in the area. Napier grass has become major feed/fodder for livestock and goats with supplementary benefits of its ability in terrace stabilization and soil erosion control. The community members have understood the importance of green coverage in and around the area and therefore, plantation of fodder and timber saplings has become a regular activity during the monsoon (June to August) season every year.
Vetiver
CWDS was involved in demonstrations, multiplication, extension and information dissemination of Vetiver grass for the year 1997 and 1998 under a collaborative agreement with The Vetiver Network (TVN). CWDS has included the propagation, plantation and promotion of Vetiver grass in its natural resource management related activities. CWDS has been successful in convincing few other NGOs as well to participate in the promotion of Vetiver grass as a planting material to landslide prone areas. Vetiver is a proven perennial shrub for terrace/slope stabilization having several other ecological and economic importance. CWDS has done the multiplication of Vetiver at different locations by which there is enough planting material at different location which are available for general distribution to the people/agencies interested in it. The Vetiver clumps from the Demonstration farm of CWDS at Kakani have been made available to the interested groups in the Far Western Nepal in the year 1999. The information dissemination through the Vetiver Booklet printed in Nepali language during 1997 and through the regular quarterly publication KISAN (meaning FARMER) of CWDS have been continued as the effective means of making Vetiver popular in different parts of Nepal. The demonstrations on slope/terrace/embankment stabilization have been impressive to the people. The Vetiver related component is the integrated activity in the sustainable farming initiatives of CWDS.
Vetiver Hedge
Vetiver
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P.O. Box: 7923, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-350196, 350056 Fax: +977-1-350038
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Last updated on:   March 14, 2001