Orientation on RtF and 15% Agricultural Budget

FIAN Nepal in collaboration with National Federation of Farmers Group visited Sindhupalchok district in 8-11 September 2012. The main objectives of the field visit were to identify the issue of farmers, orient them right to food and understand of use of 15 % agriculture budget.

Focus group discussion
The Two discussion programs with local villagers (farmers) were conducted during filed visits on the pertinent issues of agriculture and tried to trace the problems being faced by local farmers. In Sanusirubari VDC -2 (one hour walking from Chautara), members of three Farmers Groups were there in discussion whereas in Kathali VDC -8 Barabise (6 hours bus driving from Chautara and two hour step way from Barabise) and members of farmers groups were presented.

Methodology applied
Various methods were applied during the study. They are:
• Pair ranking method: this method was applied to gain information about the major and prominent problems being faced by farmers.
• Resource Map/social map/Timeline: to identify the location of the fertile land as well as the households this method was applied and also historical event.
• Open ended interview: For drawing out of information from farmers as well as government officers open ended interview was done. Through this method trend of agriculture situation was obtained.
• Questionnaire method: A sheet of predetermined questions was there during study and received information on those issues through the leading farmers of that area.

Meeting with DADO official
It has been found through the record of District Agriculture Center that there is only one farmers’ group of Kathali registered last year and non in this year. It has been found that maximum number of members of farmers group is of more than the age of 40years. Thus it shows that youths are not involved in agriculture. It is also observed that the more members from one family associated with one group it’s like keen ship farmers group.

Observation/findings
• Youth migration (gulf country and other city in Nepal in terms of employment and education) is very high that Numbers of adult female (45-60) involved in agriculture are more than the number of male.
• Total numbers of Farmers Group registered in the District Agriculture Center (Chautara) were 214 in financial year 2067-68 and now about have been renewed and process of renewing the farmers group is going on.
• Government sector (District Agriculture Center) has been conducting programs for the support of the farmers. (As per the government officials.
• The amount of crops production being decreased day by day
• Climate change has massively effects on their crops
• Group do not have any access to seed, fertilizer from the government
• Non- implementation 15% agriculture budget
• The Agri. groups are really passive and do not have any access with government
• the food habit of farmers has been changed that farmers are not interest to eat local foods and vegetable (farmers export their local food production and import food grains and vegetable from KTM for their daily food management)