Highlights
Search the highlights
Stay informed
National LRED basic training
The increasing interest in Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) across Nepal has prompted the GRAPE programme to offer phased LRED training for federal and provincial decision-makers. Sessions comprise basic, advanced, and masterclass levels. The recent national LRED basic training, held in Nagarkot, featured 18 participants from various government ministries, development agencies, and municipal associations of Nepal. Encompassing LRED basics and intervention design, the four-day training included a field trip to Dhulikhel municipality, Dulikhel hospital, Kathmandu University, and a permaculture-focused agro enterprise. This showcased how LRED institutions collaborate with enterprises for local economic growth. Advanced-level training and the LRED master class are scheduled for December 2023 and March 2024, respectively.
Knowledge-sharing session with 10 female STEM Research Grantees
GRAPE organised a knowledge-sharing session with 10 female STEM Research Grantees! They presented their research findings on a variety of topics: ranging from studying climate change's impact on rural agriculture to assessing the effectiveness of biofertilizers and briquettes. All are innovative solutions that GRAPE supports. The day concluded with a visit to ICIMOD's Living Mountain Lab (LML), where these students explored practical, eco-friendly, climate-smart technologies for a sustainable future.
Banana-garlic agricultural experimentation
Banana-garlic agricultural experimentation at the Community Learning Centre in Barahtal, Surkhet, shows encouraging findings. A farmer successfully grows garlic within banana stems, benefiting garlic production and protecting against stem borers and weevils. In support of these innovative initiatives, GRAPE now aims to expand to more farmers for comprehensive analysis. A thorough assessment of its impact on fruit quality, quantity, and key parameters will be conducted to gather evidence for practical recommendations and scaling efforts.
The GIZ Country Office hosted the Ambassador of Finland
Ambassador of Finland, visited the GIZ Country Office
LRED Expert Pool launched in Nepal
The Expert Pool for Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) was launched at the Startup2020 Conference on 28 August 2023 at Hotel Soaltee in Kathmandu amidst 350 plus participants representing government line agencies, startups, business chambers, academic institutions, policymakers, development partners, civil society and media.
Training on simple and customised CRA solutions in Surkhet
GRAPE supports the upscaling of proven and tested climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) measures through practical demonstration and knowledge dissemination via farmers field schools, practical trainings, and other means of knowledge sharing. ICIMOD recently trained 31 participants on simple and customised CRA solutions in Surkhet, Karnali Province. The training covered measures such as nature-based soil fertility management, cropping systems, biological pest control methods, and irrigation systems. The collective expertise and experience of the participants enriched the event, fostering a conducive environment for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Training on indigenous crop seed sowing and management
Indigenous crops have evolved over generations adapting to local climatic conditions ensuring food security and preserving agricultural biodiversity. Acknowledging the vital role they play, 30 women farmer received training on indigenous crop seed sowing and management in Himali Rural Municipality, Bajura. The training conducted by the GRAPE programme included practical demonstrations of seven indigenous crop seed sowing methods, mainly seto latte-dhim, latte-jeera, latte-hariyo ramechhap, rato kaguno, seto kaguno, chino, and fapar.
Call for Applications - Autumn School for Agri-Intermediaries 25-29 September 2023
GRAPE aims to support sustainable agricultural ecosystems in the provinces of Sudurpashchim and Karnali. Farmers, cooperatives and small businesses will be enabled to build economically viable and climate-resilient value chains at the local level. The project works in 19 municipalities of Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces in the west of Nepal. It is being implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation. The action is jointly financed by the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
A two-day orientation on effective data collection
Recently, in partnership with the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), ICIMOD conducted a two-day orientation on effective data collection, entry, and data management.