Men, women and children in mountain areas consume more diverse diets containing sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

Scaling up Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Mountain Ecosystems

NMA II funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Global Programme Food Security (GPFS) is implemented by International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), HELVETAS, and FiBL with national partners in Nepal and 7 other countries. It replicates and scales up sustainable agriculture practices in mountain ecosystems to promote improved nutrition and resilience driven by action network (Mountain Agro-ecosystems Action Network-MAAN) of empowered Rural Service Providers (RSPs).  The project contributes to individuals in mountain areas to consume more diverse diets containing sufficient, safe and nutritious food. It is being implemented in 5 districts of Karnali province. Nutrition sensitive interventions will be scaled up in neighbouring districts. Women and children of disadvantaged households are primary stakeholders of the project; while target groups at local level are RSPs (agriculture and health extension); and at national level, are decision makers.

From the beginning of this project, it has been evident that the local stakeholders have been enthusiastic about scaling up nutrition in the local context by promoting, planning and implementing activities and programs that are nutrition-focused for the welfare of the community and its people.

Using schools as a center to implement the SUNSAI projects along with other MIs has proved fruitful in increasing awareness and implementing activities across a wide range of beneficiaries, with modest budget. The focus on students and teachers, particularly females, have provided positive results in raising awareness about the importance of nutritious diets across the schools, families of students and teachers and community.

The organization of organic fair and conferences in Karnali has demonstrated larger impact across a wide range of audiences including government bodies within Karnali province and other provinces, national government, and other like-minded organizations. More so, the impact has been broader among the beneficiaries.