Promoting gender and social inclusive crop residue supply chain to reduce open burning in Nepal

About the event

Agricultural crop residue burning has become a major contributor of air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), and it is becoming increasingly common in Nepal’s Terai region. The practice persists despite the growing awareness among farmers of its risks to health, environment, and soil degradation. Burning crop residue is a quick and convenient approach for managing leftover straw or stalks.

Recognising this challenge, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the National Farmers Group Federation (NFGF) are organising a two-day consultation workshop. The event will explore on developing a gender-inclusive and socially responsible crop residue supply chain that connects farmers with enterprises such as pellet industry and other end users.

Objectives:

• Share and discuss existing policies and regulations on crop residue management including findings of ICIMOD’s recent assessment on gender and socially responsive crop residue supply chains in Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu.
• Explore mechanisms for linking farmers groups and cooperatives with industries that can utilise crop residues, namely pellet factories, boilers, brick, and cement.
• Identify key challenges and opportunities for establishing sustainable and inclusive supply chains.

This event is part of Action Area: Air, under the Strategic Group: Climate and Environmental Risks. It is delivered through the Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), supported by the United Kingdom International Development.

Workshop participants

The workshop participants will include farmers groups private sector, and cooperatives from three districts- Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu, representatives Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives, Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Transport, and Agriculture Knowledge Centre office in Lumbini province, and elected bodies from the three districts.

Expected outcomes:

• Potential local level partners identified as supplier for crop residue enterprises.
• Facilitate networking and initiate collaboration between farmer groups, cooperatives, private sector, and government agencies.
• Shared understanding of policy, technical and social dimensions of crop residue management

Why this matters?

Findings of ICIMOD-led assessment on gender and socially responsive crop residue supply chain reveal that while some residues are used for livestock feed or mushroom farming, a substantial amount still goes unutilised and is burned. The closure of local industries that once bought residues has worsened the problem.

Sustainable alternatives exist. For example, Pellet production enterprises can provide clean energy to industries such as brick kilns, cement, and steel, reducing dependence on coal. At the same time, selling residues can create new income streams for farmers, particularly women and smallholders.

Developing efficient supply chains is key to making this transition work. This workshop will bring together stakeholders to co-design practical, inclusive solutions.

These discussions will be based on the findings of ICIMOD and partners assessment in the three districts. This study explored the three main aspect of the supply chain:

1. Collecting and selling crop residues from farmer’s field within 10-15 days’ time period after paddy harvested.
2. Packaging crop residues for sale and identifying who will manage this task as the village level.
3. Transporting and selling crop residues from the villages to end user’s entrepreneurs- pellet factories, boilers, or other industries.

Study engaged:  

• Farmer groups from Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and beyond
• Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives and Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Transport, Government of Nepal, Lumbini Province Local governments, PMAMP, Agriculture Knowledge Centre
• Department of Environment (Kathmandu and provincial offices).
• Private sector representatives (pellet, boiler, brick, cement industries).