CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

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CSD Hosts Workshop on Self-help Eco-village Development Initiatives of MFIs

The Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) organized a 4 day field based Self-help Eco-village Development workshop from January 29 to February 1, 2023 at Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, Kavrepalanchok District. The main objectives of this residential workshop was to familiarize the participants with concept and components of Self-help Eco-village Development Program and find ways to integrate and start up the same in their operational area. The workshop aimed to give them first-hand experience on various facets of eco-village system.

In the first day, the participants after their registration at CSD office proceeded to event venue at Dhulikhel and attended the opening program in the evening. They were welcomed by the Director of CSD Mr. Satish Shrestha. He highlighted on the objective of the workshop and role of MFIs in eco-village development, and how the workshop would help them understand the concept as well as the practical application of its component along with microfinance operation.

It was followed by a technical session delivered by Mr. Sanu Babu Pandit and Mr. Farsa Bahadur Tandan, Technical Officers of the Center for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N). They highlighted on the environment and biodiversity conservation of the target village, sanitation and hygiene, and problems of climate change, climate smart activities and also potential components and features of eco-village.

In the second day, the participants visited Dharpa village of the Barhabise Municipality ward 3, Sindhupalanchok,  which is the first experimental eco-village implemented jointly by CSD, CRT/N and Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. The participants interacted with the members of the Manushi, who are also participants of the self-help eco-village program. They discussed on the needs as well as the interventions and its relevancy to the local households and the community. They were familiarized with tunnel farming, vermin compost making, use of organic liquid manure and fertilizer, use of improved cook stoves, plastic water ponds for irrigation as well as impact brought out by these interventions. An interaction program was also organized in the Chhyamadevi Higher Secondary School, especially with the 3 zero club members, students and teachers. Manushi has formed six 3 zero clubs among the students of the school.

The third day of the workshop comprise of a field visit to Bethanchowk Rural Municipality 5 of Kavrepalanchok district, the first area of eco-village launched by CRT/N with 100 participating households. The visiting team interacted with the village committee of the eco-village named Nawa Urjashil Krishi Samuha in their community hall. All the participating households of this village have been adopting clean and renewal energy, sustainable agriculture practices and following environment friendly and sustainable way of living with positive effects on their income sources as well. After interaction, the participants were divided into four groups and visited different households and project sites along with the committee members to observe and learn from their practices. The participants observed improved water mill (panighatta), biogas plant, chilling vat, tunnel farming, drip irrigation, solar dryer, improved cook stoves, induction stove etc. which were promoted for livelihood improvement. The team members also get acquainted with the improved cattle shed and organic fertilizer practiced by the farmers to discourage the use of chemical fertilizer in their farm.

An open discussion session was organized in the last day of the workshop on the findings and learnings of the participants. It was chaired by the Chairman of CSD Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha. It mainly focused on the learning from two field visits and possibilities to replicate the same back home in their own organization. The participants also unanimously agreed to implement such self-help eco-village program at their working area of microfinance program and also agreed to submit the action plans prepared in consultation with their board and management within a time frame of 15 days.

In the closing session Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha said that developing self-help eco-village is a process to make our villages culturally rich, ecologically sound, environmentally sustainable, financially self-sufficient, and live with social harmony.

On the occasion the CEO of the Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. Ms. Shova Bajracharya a partner of the self-help eco-village development program in Dharpa, shared her experience that the Manushi Laghubitta has been able to build goodwill among the microfinance members, local community and local government after working on the self- help eco-village in Dharpa.

Dr. Purushottam Shrestha Executive Director of CRT/Nepal, which is a technical partner in implementing this program said, “As the program goes hand in hand with microfinance program, it has become a good platform to develop entrepreneurship among the local women. It will also ensure the security, effective utilization and repayment of loan provided to them.”

The workshop was participated by the 25 individuals including, Chairmen, Board Members, CEOs, and senior officials of the 15 MFIs.

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