Intervention areas, Balkumari CFUG, Kavre.

This project promotes multiple-use farming systems as an initiation for better land management for the enhancement of socio-economic status of farmers. It will stress the positive effect that agroforestry can bring to local community including small farmer groups, community forest user groups, local youths and teachers to improve the yield and sustainability of traditional farming practices in central mid-hills of Nepal. Importantly, it can increase local habitat heterogeneity and help reduce the pressure for fuel wood collection in surrounding forests.

The approach blends participatory action research (PAR) and reflective learning process, with a formal research design including control sites and surveys to generate robust evidence involving locally-formed legal institute: community forest users groups, and be monitored and evaluated by program management committee. It will assess the potential and challenges of community to adapt the agroforestry and build the learning innovations in fostering the suitable practices. Moreover, It increases critical inquire in to resource condition, understanding situation, local need and gaps. The activities include reflective learning and discussion series, observation visit, establishment of demonstration plots and dissemination of community conservation efforts.

Similarly, through series of discussions with agriculture and forest officials builds substantive knowledge and help to build network between small farmers and government systems. Thus, the project can draw the attention of government to initiate such programs in other rural communities, where improved agricultural sustainability and yield is critically needed.