Empowering Women and Nourishing Communities in Nepal with Rukmini Foundation
The Rukmini Foundation, with support from AllPeopleBeHappy, is launching an inspiring new initiative in Phakhel Village, Indrasarowar Rural Municipality. The village is an area where families depend heavily on agriculture but face limited access to sustainable livelihoods and nutritious food. The Sustainable Organic Farming Initiative for Women & Children will empower 30 women from low-income households through practical training, essential farming resources, and mentorship from agricultural experts.
Through this project, these women will learn how to grow organic, chemical-free vegetables that will directly supply fresh, healthy produce to over 350 schoolchildren in three local schools. By bridging women’s empowerment and child nutrition, this initiative strengthens the community’s ability to thrive together economically, socially, and environmentally.
Over six months, participants will receive hands-on training in composting, natural pest control, crop rotation, and seasonal planting. All hands-on training will be followed by consistent mentorship and support to ensure success. As women begin to sell their produce to local schools, they’ll generate sustainable income while ensuring children have daily access to nourishing meals.
Beyond the 380+ direct beneficiaries, this project will reach nearly 2,900 community members through improved food availability, greater awareness of organic farming, and stronger community collaboration. Despite challenges such as difficult terrain, limited prior training, and weather unpredictability, the Rukmini Foundation’s team remains deeply committed to building a replicable, long-term model of empowerment and resilience.
AllPeopleBeHappy is proud to support this initiative, which embodies the heart of sustainable development, empowering women, building community, feeding children, and nurturing the future.
Update: April 23rd, 2026
Rukmini Foundation’s Sustainable Organic Farming Initiative for Women & Children is taking root at Kalika Secondary School, bringing together parents, students, educators, and local leaders to create a more sustainable approach to agriculture and community livelihoods. With support from AllPeopleBeHappy, the project has already completed its Organic Agricultural Training, with 39 parents participating directly in hands-on learning alongside students, teachers, and Rukmini Foundation staff. Participants explored ways to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides while gaining practical experience with organic farming techniques.
The project has also grown beyond its original focus on training. Rukmini Foundation has constructed two 5-by-24-meter vegetable tunnels on the grounds of Kalika Secondary School, creating a permanent space where agricultural education can be put into practice. Participants received instruction in compost preparation, liquid organic fertilizer known as Jholmal, and Bordeaux mixture techniques for crop protection. Selected mothers of students will now use the tunnels to grow organic vegetables, with produce serving two important purposes: contributing fresh food to the school’s mid-day meal program and generating income through sales in local markets. For students in grades 9–12 who are already studying agriculture, the tunnels also provide an opportunity to connect classroom instruction with hands-on experience.
As the initiative moves from training and construction into active production, Rukmini Foundation is also navigating challenges common to introducing new agricultural practices. Many community members have greater experience with chemical-based farming, meaning continued guidance will be important as they transition to organic methods. Maintaining consistent participation from parents and mothers, coordinating responsibilities as management shifts to local partners, and navigating seasonal availability of organic inputs will also require ongoing attention. Strong collaboration among the school, community members, and local government, however, is helping the project address these challenges while building greater local ownership.That local ownership may ultimately be one of the initiative’s most important achievements. The School Management Committee and Ward No. 4 of Indrasarovar Rural Municipality are taking responsibility for continuing project activities, while students, teachers, and community members are actively contributing to implementation. What began primarily as an organic farming awareness and training initiative has evolved into a practical, school-based system connecting sustainable agriculture, nutrition, education, and income generation. By giving women and young people the skills and infrastructure to put sustainable farming into practice, the project is creating benefits that can extend from the vegetable tunnels into households, classrooms, and the wider community.
Final Update: August 1st, 2026
Rukmini Foundation has successfully completed its Organic Agricultural Training (Vegetable Farming) project at Kalika Secondary School, helping parents and community members build practical skills for healthier and more sustainable agriculture. With support from AllPeopleBeHappy and in collaboration with the school and local Ward Office, the project brought together 46 parents and community members for hands-on training focused on reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Participants learned techniques for organic vegetable cultivation, compost preparation, liquid organic fertilizer known as Jholmal, and the safe use of Bordeaux mixture for managing plant diseases.
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the training emphasized practical techniques that participants can replicate using resources readily available within their communities. Through demonstrations and interactive learning, participants gained a greater understanding of how excessive chemical use can affect both human health and the environment while learning alternatives that can improve soil fertility and support healthier food production. These approaches also have the potential to reduce farming expenses and improve household incomes by allowing families to rely more heavily on locally available inputs.
The project’s greatest impact may come from how these skills are applied and shared in the years ahead. All 46 participants left with practical knowledge of low-cost organic farming techniques that can help improve soil health, reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, and produce healthier vegetables. Strong community participation was one of the project’s most encouraging outcomes, demonstrating a genuine interest among local families in adopting more sustainable approaches to agriculture. The involvement of teachers from Kalika Secondary School was also instrumental, helping mobilize participants and coordinate the training while strengthening community ownership of the initiative.
As the project concludes, its lessons provide a strong foundation for future agricultural initiatives. Rukmini Foundation found that practical, community-based training—combined with strong partnerships among schools, community leaders, technical experts, and local families—can be an effective way to encourage lasting changes in farming practices. Continued follow-up and technical support could help participants build on what they have learned and confidently integrate organic methods into their farms and households. By investing in local knowledge and accessible solutions, this project has planted the seeds for healthier food, stronger livelihoods, and more environmentally sustainable agriculture in the community.