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Women in agriculture in eastern Nepal: empowering farmers, strengthening supply chains

Nepal
Sustainable agriculture
17.11.2025
Across the hills of Eastern Nepal, women farmers are leading a quiet revolution adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, strengthening local value chains, and building resilient livelihoods.

Our new visual success cases capture their journey from struggle to leadership and showcase how investing in women in agriculture drives both social impact and business value.

For companies seeking to build inclusive supply chains, climate-aligned portfolios, and purposeful CSR/ESG investments, these stories offer real pathways to partnership.

Women Shaping Koshi's Agriculture Economy: A photostory book

Explore their stories here and witness how women are transforming agriculture and shaping a sustainable future.
Khetipati organics employes over 30 locals and works to reduce food loss and create sustainable livelihoods through their specialised dehydrated fruits and vegetable products. 
"Men are indispensable to our company, but if a woman is equally qualified for a role, I will hire her. Every single time."
Prakriti Gautam, Co-founder, Khetipati Organics Dhankuta

Sahaj’s Impact: Growth and Inclusion in Numbers

Growing Agribusinesses

8 million Swiss francs invested

  • Five million Swiss francs in loans
  • 37% of loans went to women-led businesses

Creating Jobs and Income

  • 1600+ new jobs created, with 572 for women
  • 41,000 + farmers saw increased income, including 13,811 women farmers
  • Five million Swiss francs increase in farmer income overall, including two million Swiss francs increase for women-led farmers
The deputy mayor of Rong takes pride in supporting the local women of the municipality to establish "Rong Grundruk" (meaning fermented vegetables leaves) as a recognised product in the local market.
"Financial empowerment for women is crucial. Through this initiative, over 13 women have gained jobs and independence, no longer relying on their husbands for money. "
Bishnu Maya Khawas, Deputy Mayor, Rong Rural Municipality

Why partner with us

Collaborating with women-led agriculture initiatives offers strategic benefits for companies committed to:

  • Gender-inclusive economic development
  • Climate resilience and regenerative farming

 Partners gain opportunities to build shared value while supporting measurable impact across SDGs.

How private sector can engage

  • Invest in women-led growing and production networks
  • Support capacity building and agribusiness skill development
  • Co-brand value chain partnerships with women farmers
  • Co-design climate-smart market solutions

Explore Partnership Opportunities

Sahaj is a bilateral initiative of the Government of Switzerland and the Government of Nepal, implemented by Swisscontact (as lead agency) and Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED).

2020 - 2025
Nepal
Sustainable agriculture
Sahaj - Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme
In 2017, agriculture contributed around 27.04 per cent to Nepal's GDP. Agriculture is a major source of livelihood in the country. However, the agriculture sector is still in a nascent stage as far as technology and modern cultivation methods are concerned. Agriculture mainly engages smallholder farmers who continue to use traditional methods of...
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