Effects of Armed Conflict on Agricultural Markets and Post-conflict Engagement of Women in Export-led Agriculture in Nepal

Nepal entered into a new era after ending 10 years of civil war through signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the government and the rebel radical Maoist party in November, 2006. Women’s positions were constitutionally secured and space widened for the engagement of women in the broad social, political and economic spheres. Therefore, the post-conflict context provided tremendous opportunities for women to engage in high value commercial agricultural business. The main objectives of the study were a) to examine the effects of armed conflict on agricultural markets, and b) to analyse the state of women’s engagement in high value agricultural exports and its role in market revival. This study involved qualitative research to analyse women’s engagement in commercial agriculture with a specific focus on the marketing of large cardamom (Amomum Subulatum Roxb.), which does not include the small cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum, Maton). The main finding of this study is the proactive engagement of women in high value, low volume commercial agriculture and its positive contribution to the social, economic and political spheres at individual, households and community levels in Nepal. Women were recognised more in society once they engaged in commercial agriculture especially when they were members of cooperatives and in the position of sanctioning the loans as members of the executive committee to local people (including men). They were also offered political positions in the party structures. They were, comparatively, economically stronger and independent. However, while the government’s efforts were appreciated they were not able to secure better prices for the cash crops and tackle the disease problem. Women were not able to secure a better price in the study area due to lack of up-to-date market price information. Further, in the past 7-10 years their cardamom plants suffered heavily from disease (appearance of black spots on leaves, shrinking, and gradually drying of the leaves which people locally called Chhirke-Furke) affecting production

Nepali Women in Politics: Success and Challenges

This paper is based on an extensive three-year research project employing qualitative methods. In this paper we will discuss women\u27s struggle for equality in Nepal, their current successes in the political process, and remaining underlying challenges. The aim of this paper is to share with a wider audience that establishing equality and equity is hard but not impossible if and when constant efforts are made in a concerted way by bringing all likeminded people (men and women, politicians and parliamentarians), together. Nepal has been undergoing tremendous socio-political transformations over the past two decades, from civil war to negotiated peace, unitary to federal and monarchical government, and ultimately to the current republican political system, where the role of women is eminent. Historically, despite unfavourable circumstances, Nepali women have established themselves as key actors of socio-political changes. Under the leadership of Yogmaya Neupane (1860-1941), Nepali women began their struggle during the Rana Regime and advanced since the 1950s, by engaging both in popular peaceful political movements to armed insurgency and parliamentary competition with their male political counterparts. As a result, the new constitution of Nepal in 2015, ensured 33 % of seats, guaranteed to the parliaments and all other government positions as well as provision of male-female alternate seat provisions in the highest positions such as President and Vice President, Chief and Deputy Chief of Parliament (in both upper and lower houses), Mayor and Deputy Mayor where two of one must be female. Further, it has ensured inclusive provisions in all state structures. As a result, from the national and local elections of 2017-18, women have come to occupy 41.8% of political positions across the country. One of the key factors to ensure higher and meaningful participation of women in politics were these favourable electoral provisions. We found that despite numerous challenges that women face in political and electoral processes, they have demonstrated success in achieving higher participation in political positions. However, what has been achieved so far is not enough and continued concerted action among all actors is essential

Solid waste management practices in Kirtipur Municipality, Nepal: Findings from a household survey

This working paper, based on a questionnaire survey with more than 400 households in Kirtipur (Nepal), identifies household waste practices (segregation, recycling, disposal, burning, etc.) with special attention to changed practices during and after crises (Earthquake/Indian blockade/ COVID-19)

Gender Dimensions of Food Security, the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty in Nepal

The right to food is the right to life. Ensuring food security for all the citizens and their food sovereignty is the responsibility of the State. Currently, the need for food security, especially for marginalized and oppressed sections of society, including women in Nepal, is inadequately addressed. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to examine the gender dimensions in food policies and programs in Nepal. The paper explores five dimensions of food security, the right to food and food sovereignty, and analyzes gender inclusivity in food policies and governance in particular, since the advent of the sixth periodic plan (1980-1984) that included gender issues for the first time in the planning history. The paper, employing qualitative methods, recognizes that ensuring food governance is not only essential for equitable food security and the right to food, but also to the process of transforming discriminatory cultural norms and values into equitable ones and strengthening the psychological well-being of women. This paper argues that exclusion of women from decision-making processes leads to their psychological disempowerment. Women’s participation in socio-cultural, economic, and political spheres directly impacts processes to identify and recognize their needs, preferences and priorities in food policies and programs. The article concludes, that since food security and the right to food impact women and men differently, a transformational process must respond to gender-differentiated interests, choices, preferences and entitlements. This paper proposes a framework to promote gender responsive food systems and concludes that gender responsive food policies, programs, institutional arrangements and behavioral change of individuals, families and communities are crucial to ensure the right to food for all

Waste chains and loops in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

The objective of this paper is to describe the current diverse and complex waste chains and loops in the Kathmandu Valley with a focus on three sites: (1) the generation, collection, and recycling of waste in the municipality of Kirtipur, where the private sector is also actively engaged; (2) the sorting and recycling at the transfer station in Teku (Ward no. 12 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)); and (3) the final disposal and scavenging at the landfill site in Sisdol. These descriptions refer to the involved materials, processes, and actors with the aim to identify the main challenges and opportunities in the waste chain. The paper also examines the influence of the waste crisis triggered by the earthquake and Indian blockade in 2015

Need for advocacy for effective participatory crop improvement and plant genetic resource enhancement: Case studies on rice-breeding processes from Khotang and JaJarkot Districts, Nepal

This paper deals with advocacy for effective participatory crop improvement and plant genetic resource enhancement. First, the need for advocacy is highlighted; second, cases on the community-managed process of managing plant genetic resources is discussed. Advocacy is public action directed towards wider social change. It is about changing the policies, practices, attitudes, positions or programs of governing institutions within the public and private sectors that have a negative impact in the age of globalization, multinational transnational corporations (MNCs TINCs) increasingly influence policies, but these organizations are not bound by rights-related laws and regulations. The trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPs) agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a major threat to crop and variety development and genetic resource enhancement. Advancements in genetic engineering promoted by profit-oriented MNCs INCs is gradually taking over the classical research-and-development process. If we are concerned about participatory crop improvement, we have to pinpoint the issue now. We need to enforce favorable policies and effective implementation for the conservation of our genetic resources and participatory development of crops and varieties. Therefore, to have influence al the policy level, we have to develop links between operational work and advocacy. In this context, advocacy can support communities demanding their rights in germplasm conservations. It is about having an input when government is formulating relevant policies, considering the voice of the powerless in developing plant- breeding program or plans, and bringing about the realization of favorable promises or policies for the benefit of fanners. The case studies show that farmers have selected and maintained their rice crops for generations with their own experience. The role of women farmers vital to the process of seed selection, preservation, and maintenance. However, the cases indicate that men are still ignoring the role of women in the plant-breeding process. We argue that farmers are the owners of genetic resources, and they should have right to select, develop, conserve, and multiply them as they wish. Therefore, advocacy should be one of the major activities of all development organizations if they are to have any spillover effect for challenging sustained inequality and injustice lo farmers

New Challenges in Land Use in Nepal: Reflections on the Booming Real-estate Sector in Chitwan and Kathmandu Valley

Domestic commercial land acquisition is a recent phenomenon in Nepal; it is rapidly expanding and increasingly occupying productive agricultural land for real estate and other non-agricultural commercial purposes. This paper analyses the present situation and the implications of domestic land acquisition, and identifies actors and forms of land deals and associated conflicts. The study was conducted in Kathmandu Valley (27° 32′ 13″ N to 27° 49′ 10″ N and 85° 11′ 31″ E to 85° 31′ 38″ E) and Chitwan District (83°54′ 45″ to 84°48′15″ E and 27°21′45″ to 27°52′ 30″ N), the areas of Nepal most affected by domestic land acquisition. In the absence of statistical material, purposive sampling was used to identify households for a survey of 208 respondents; this was complemented by qualitative research and a review of media and other documents. Respondents confirmed that land acquisition is increasing at a very rapid rate and is driven by a nexus of politicians, land brokers and real-estate actors, and that it has caused not only food insecurity but also numerous conflicts between local people and the land deal actors. Existing policies and legislations were found to be inadequate to address the challenges brought about by the domestic land acquisition process in Nepal