Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems

 

Background

Food- and nutrition security remains a pressing issue for numerous communities across Nepal, particularly within the remote reaches of the Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. According to the Nepal Food Security Monitoring System, an alarming 7% of households in Karnali face severe food insecurity due to the absence of dependable energy sources, access to finance, and the availability of modern technology severely restricts the capacity of local farmers. 

In response, UNDP Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (RERAS), in partnership with a diverse set of implementing partners, aims to empower farmers with the ability to utilize reliable and affordable energy for achieving food- and nutrition security by adopting a holistic strategy that addresses both energy and agricultural needs within the region. The energy component includes rehabilitating existing micro-hydropower stations and establishing new lift-irrigation systems. In terms of agriculture the project collaborates with local governments to provide farmers with a suite of customized practices. Our initiatives are designed to build resilient communities capable of addressing current challenges and fostering future growth through sustainable agricultural practices.

Major Achievements

  • Initiation of a homegrown school feeding program, with ongoing activities and support. 
  • Conduct of cooking demonstrations showcasing recipes using indigenous crops, with participation from hotel staff for menu incorporation.
  • Training sessions on orchard management and distribution of farm equipment.
  • Review and enhancement of agriculture service delivery mechanisms across five local governments. 
  • Capacity building for local government agriculture technicians, focusing on value chain management and orchard management techniques for apples and walnuts.

 

Expected Results

  • Enhanced Household Food Access:  Diversify diets and improve the productivity of local food varieties and ensure households have access to sufficient food to meet their daily dietary needs. 
  • Integration of Renewable Energy in Agriculture:  Identify and implement renewable energy solutions tailored to agricultural value chains, ensuring a reliable supply of energy services and support the sustainable operation of energy systems and enterprises, playing a key role in improving the agriculture value chain.
  • Strengthened Resilient Food Systems:  Enhance the capacity of municipalities to design effective policy instruments and promote a resilient food system, improving production, processing, and market supply of food.

GESI Component

In response to the feminization of agriculture in our project areas, RERAS adopts a gender-sensitive approach to support the women who have become the primary agricultural labor force. Our gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) initiatives aim to lighten their workload by introducing accessible farming technologies and ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes. The project is dedicated to providing women with the tools, equipment, and financial resources they need, with a focus on facilitating access to credit. By prioritizing women in our programs, RERAS strives to address the challenges of agricultural labor intensification due to male outmigration, aiming for at least 70% of our supported entrepreneurs to be women. This approach not only empowers women but also promotes a more inclusive development in the agricultural sector.

 

Project Details:

Project StatusActive
Project PeriodJuly 2023- June 2027
Project ID01001010
Geographic CoverageSelected municipalities of Mugu, Jumla, Bajura and Sindhuli districts
Focus AreaFood and Nutrition Security, Renewable Energy, Food Systems Resilience, Energy Security  
Source of FundingRoyal Norwegian Embassy and UNDP
Implementing partnersAlternative Energy Promotion Center, World Food Organization, ICIMOD, LIBIRD, Local Governments   
Budget7.8 million USD (6.9 million USD from Norwegian, 0.9 million USD from UNDP)

 

CONTACT DETAILS

UNDP Focal PointProject Focal Point
Pragyajan Yalamber Rai
Portfolio Manager
United Nations Development Programme
UN House, Pulchowk, Lalitpur
GPO Box 107, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-5523200
Email: pragyajan.rai@undp.org
Shiva Kumar Shrestha
Project Manager
Shiva.Shrestha@undp.org
+977 9842946552