Agriculture in Nepal is characterized by small farm size, low productivity, and a low level of commercialization. Smallholder farmers are not able to shift from subsistence agriculture to higher-value production. Instead, the outmigration trend is increasing, particularly in the hilly areas of Nepal. Hence, the growth of the agriculture sector was never consistent, and Nepal, as a result, has become a net food importer despite the favorable climatic conditions for agriculture.

To support hilly area farmers’ income generation from commercial farming while enhancing their climate resilience, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and the provincial Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives are preparing the Nuts and Fruits in Hilly Areas (NAFHA) project with financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Find out more about the project as they support an estimated 40,000 farm households, enhance public extension services, promote engagement of private input providers, and improve farmer-to-farmer extension through its lead farmers.