The project region in northwestern Nepal is increasingly affected by droughts and extreme weather events, which exacerbates the already vulnerable situation of small subsistence farmers, the majority of the population. Under- and malnourishment with serious consequences is common among pregnant and lactating women and young children.
We aim to improve the nurtition status of pregnant women and young children in five communities in Mugu District in northwestern Nepal in order to substantially increase the life chances of the next generation. To achieve this, 250 women will be selected as direct beneficiaries who are either pregnant or have children under five years of age who are identified as under- or malnourished.
In the project, beneficiaries will receive material, training and counselling for seasonal and off-seasonal, water-saving and ecological cultivation of different vegetables in polytunnels in order to increase food supply and ensure a balanced diet in particular of pregnant women, lactating mothers and young children under five.
The project thus directly contributes to SDG 2, in particular SDG 2.1 – end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round; 2.2 – end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons; and 2.3 – double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers […] including through […] access to knowledge; and 2.4 – ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and […]. In addition, we expect that the project will positively impact SDG 1 – no poverty (1.5 build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations) and SDG 3 – health and well-being (3.1 maternal mortality and 3.2 newborn and U5 mortality).
By transferring knowledge on sustainable farming methods (drop irrigation, organic fertilizers and organic pest control as well as seed production) as well as materials (plastic for polytunnels, tools, seeds), beneficiaries will obtain the means to provide better, more sufficient and balanced diets for themselves and their families, and improve their income situation by selling surplus production.
We would like to thank the City of Vienna for their generous funding for this project!
