Rukmini Foundation and AllPeopleBeHappy Empower Women Through Organic Farming in Nepal

The Rukmini Foundation’s latest initiative, Economic Empowerment of Women Group, is focused on uplifting women in the Talku, Dakshinkali Municipality, by providing training in organic vegetable farming. Funds will be used to construct greenhouse tunnels for year-round vegetable production, offer seeds, tools, and irrigation support, and provide training to local women, especially mothers of Setidevi School students. These efforts will increase their income by selling produce to the school and local markets while supporting the school’s mid-day meal program with fresh, organic vegetables.

This initiative will empower 30-40 women, providing them with practical skills in organic farming and fostering a sustainable food system. Over 200 students will benefit from improved nutrition, and around 500 community members will indirectly experience enhanced food security and increased household incomes. By equipping women with farming skills, the project will also strengthen local community ties and promote environmentally sustainable practices.

The project, beginning in September 2025, will involve greenhouse construction, hands-on training, and continued support to ensure long-term success. Success will be measured by the number of women actively participating in farming, increased vegetable production, and improvements in student nutrition. Collaboration with local government representatives and farming experts will ensure technical support and community engagement, promoting sustainability beyond initial funding.

This project exemplifies the Rukmini Foundation’s commitment to empowering women and creating lasting change in rural communities. With continued mentorship and market linkages, it aims to foster economic independence and community resilience.

AllPeopleBeHappy is proud to continue our collaboration with the Rukmini Foundation, if you’d like to read more about our work together, please check out this story on their Community Health Impact Project. If you’re interested in donating to either of these Rukmini Foundation projects, you can donate here!

Update: December 5th, 2025

The Rukmini Foundation’s Organic Vegetable Farming for Economic Empowerment of Women in Pharping project is making steady progress as it moves through its early implementation phase. Designed to create sustainable income opportunities for local women while supporting access to fresh produce, the initiative has already achieved several important milestones. Site preparation and foundation work have been completed, greenhouse structures have been erected, and aluminum tunnels and entrance doors have been installed, creating the infrastructure needed for the next phase of the project.

A key focus of the project is empowering women through practical agricultural skills and income-generating opportunities. The project team has selected a women’s group consisting of three mothers of students from Shree Setidevi Secondary School, who will participate in training and eventually manage organic vegetable production within the new greenhouses. By connecting economic empowerment with community wellbeing, the project aims to strengthen household livelihoods while increasing access to nutritious, locally grown vegetables.

Like many community initiatives, the project has faced challenges along the way. Major local festivals, periods of heavy rainfall, and transportation disruptions temporarily delayed construction activities. The team also made a strategic decision to use aluminum instead of bamboo for the greenhouse tunnels, increasing durability and long-term sustainability despite slightly higher costs. While these adjustments extended the timeline, they have not altered the project’s overall goals and are expected to strengthen the long-term impact of the initiative.

The project’s success is being built through strong local partnerships and community engagement. Rukmini Foundation is working closely with Shree Setidevi Secondary School, the Agriculture Division of Dakshinkali Municipality, local government representatives, and organic farming experts who will provide technical training and mentorship. Volunteers have also contributed to participant selection and field activities, helping lay a strong foundation for future success. As greenhouse construction nears completion, the project is preparing to enter its next phase—equipping women with the skills, resources, and support needed to generate income through sustainable organic farming while creating lasting benefits for their families and community.

Final Update:

The Rukmini Foundation’s Economic Empowerment of Women project has successfully completed its pilot phase, demonstrating how small-scale agricultural initiatives can create meaningful opportunities for women and strengthen local food systems. Through the project, three women from Ward No. 9 in Dakshinkali Municipality received hands-on training in organic vegetable farming, learning essential skills such as compost preparation, seed management, crop care, and sustainable cultivation practices. Equipped with new knowledge and confidence, the participants have begun building pathways toward greater economic independence through agriculture.

To support these efforts, the project constructed three greenhouse tunnels and provided seeds and other basic farming inputs. The women have already begun cultivating vegetables and are currently in the growing phase, with plans to supply fresh produce to Setidevi Secondary School’s mid-day meal program as well as local markets once harvesting begins. Ongoing monitoring and technical guidance have helped ensure that participants can effectively manage their greenhouse operations and apply the skills gained through training.

While the project directly engaged three women, its potential impact extends far beyond those initial participants. The initiative has created a foundation that will eventually support 30–40 women through future production and marketing opportunities. More than 200 students at Setidevi Secondary School are expected to benefit from increased access to fresh vegetables, while hundreds of community members may indirectly benefit through stronger local food systems and economic activity. The project also promotes environmentally sustainable agriculture by encouraging organic, chemical-free farming practices that support healthier soils and long-term agricultural resilience.

Despite challenges including heavy rainfall and periods of social unrest that affected transportation and field activities, the project successfully achieved its core objectives. Perhaps its most important accomplishment is the lasting combination of skills, infrastructure, and market connections it has created. The greenhouse tunnels provide year-round growing capacity, while the participants now possess practical farming knowledge that can continue generating benefits for their households for years to come. As the vegetables move closer to harvest and sales begin, this pilot project offers a promising model for empowering women, improving nutrition, and fostering sustainable community development in Pharping.