Strategic pillars, objectives, and expected outcomes of Nepal’s Agroecology Roadmap
Framework of Nepal’s Agroecology Roadmap
Based on the 13 principles of agroecology and the HAI Theory of Change, Nepal’s Agroecology Roadmap comprises five structural levels:
- Vision: Agroecology for equitable, resilient and sustainable food systems
- Strategic pillars: Four strategic pillars to complement the vision
- Strategic objectives: Definitions of the key objectives of each strategic pillar
- Action areas: Key action areas to meet each strategic objective, and
- Intervention: Key interventions to meet each key action area.
Strategic directions of the National Agroecology Roadmap
Nepal’s roadmap carries a 20-year vision to be realised in three phases and includes a 10-year Action Plan:
- By 2030, Nepal will set a foundation for the agroecological transition
- By 2035, Nepal will achieve transitional stage of agroecology
- By 2045, Nepal will have transformed to agroecological food systems
The three phases of agorecological transition in Nepal
Monitoring progress of transition
Dr. Gauchan presented on a few selected key performance indicators for monitoring the progress of agroecological transition in Nepal. These indicators can be roughly divided into three categories:
- enabling public policies and governance
- effect on smallholder farmers, women and youth, and
- shift to agroecolgical practices and their effect on soil and farmland.
Additional indicators, including those tracking system-level progress, are being discussed. The list of indicators discussed at the meeting:
Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
- Alignment of all relevant policy and schemes to agroecology principles, using an Agroecological Policy Alignment Index.
- 80% of the farm households substitute synthetic inputs with AE inputs through own production and local markets.
- Average Soil Organic Matter (SOM) levels in agricultural soils are maintained at or above 3.5%.
- Agricultural landscapes show a 50% increase in biodiversity indices from the baseline.
- Over 80% of agricultural land is managed under agroecological practices.
- Smallholder AE producers’ shre of income increased by 40 percent
- Yield stability in AE systems is 50% higher than in conventional neighbouring systems
- “Governance and participation improved by at least 30% compared to the baseline, and women and youth hold at least 50% of leadership positions in agroecology-related committees and producer organisations at national & subnational levels”.
- At least 70 percent of local governments adopt and implement public procurement policies prioritising agroecological produce, with transparent contracting and accountability mechanisms.
At the end of his presentation, Dr. Gauchan emphasised that Nepal has an enabling environment for transition, with the Strategic Plan for Food Systems Transformation (2025-2030) now approved and other key national policies and strategies under revision. Provincial initiatives are also emerging, including the goal of Karnali Province to go fully organic, complemented by the new IFAD Resilient High-Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP) project in western Nepal, which focuses on laying the foundation for agroecology farms and villages.
Resources
Access the presentation here.
About the Himalayan Agroecology Initiative
The Himalayan Agroecology Initiative is a strategic endeavour that works closely with governments and with the support of a broad group of stakeholders, to support the emergence of multi-stakeholder processes that develop, build capacities and facilitate the implementation of agroecological food systems roadmaps. Other participating countries in the Himalayan Agroecology Initiative, besides Nepal, are India and Bhutan. Its main aim is to improve livelihoods and sustainability and to empower farmers, farmer producer organisations and other key stakeholders so they better benefit of public policies, including those that support organic and natural agriculture, food processing, marketing, distribution and consumption.
