A farmer showcasing the use of pilot interventions on his cardamom farm to the monitoring team

A high level delegation led by Narahari Ghimire, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture of the Government of Nepal, has appreciated the work being done in pilot sites in Taplejung through the Support to Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalaya (Himalica) initiative.

The delegation visited Taplejung from 12 – 17 November 2016 to observe Himalica’s efforts in aiding the development of a climate resilient cardamom value chain. The team observed different climate resilient practices being introduced to cardamom farms in the pilot sites, and spoke to all concerned stakeholders about their views regarding various issues related to the cardamom value chain.

A district level Himalica programme steering committee meeting was held under the chairpersonship of the Local Development Officer. Chakra Pani Pandey, Chief District Officer–Taplejung, who was chief guest, highlighted some of the key climate resilient good practices introduced by Himalica for strengthening the cardamom value chain. He also provided guidance for additional improvements.

The monitoring team met cardamom farmers, community members, and district level partners to discuss the impact of Himalica innovations on the ground, as well as possible improvements that can be made along the cardamom value chain. The team was pleased to see firsthand the adoption and application of low cost, low maintenance climate resilient practices and technologies such as bio-fertilizers, improved driers, multi cropping, mulching, cowshed management, livestock urine based bio-pesticides, and water management practices including water harvesting ponds.

Backward-forward linkages along the cardamom value chain, including the interlinking of market chains have been successfully taken up by local farmers and community members. Cardamom farmers reported that ICT-delivered information on markets and weather conditions was very useful to them.

The monitoring team members with cardamom growers in Furumbu VDC, Taplejung

The mission has, however, noted that local farmers have not fully understood the overall framework for applying these technologies, mainly in terms of addressing climate change impact on cardamom with climate resilient value chain development. It has recommended that the Himalica team work closely with the District Agriculture Development Office to make cardamom farmers aware of the possible impacts of climate change, and technologies that make the cardamom value chain more resilient than it already is.

Min Bahadur Gurung

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