Sustainable Development Goals - Decent Work and Economic Growth

Organic Farming and Training for Mushroom, Vegetable Cultivation and Preservation of Environment

 

INTRODUCTION

Nepal Don Bosco Society is a non-political, non-religious and non-profitable organization that has been registered on 15 August, 1995 in District Administrative Office in Kathmandu and joined the Social Welfare Council on 14 December, 1999. It is a social organization that has been providing financial support to provide education to backward, poor and hard worker students in various districts of Nepal as well as providing conscious and material support to backward and poor families in the village. Its office has been transferred from Kathmandu district to Godwari Municipality Ward No-12 Thecho, Lalitpur on 18 February, 2014.

In an era where technology advancement dominates our daily lives, there is a growing movement towards reconnecting with the natural world. This “Back 2 Nature @Nepal” project reflects a collective desire to return to the simplicity and tranquility that nature offers. As urbanization and digitalization continue to accelerate results in environmental degradation, scarcity of fertilized land, water leading to unsustainable paths. This project came with a holistic approach to achieve well-being and sustainability. 

The “Back 2 Nature @Nepal” project is to embrace Mother Earth with dignity and responsibility for the future. Its promotion activities are carried out in various methods at Don Bosco society Thecho, Lalitpur, Nepal. It is an institutional model for modern farming with activities like awareness arising about green cover improvements, soil-less farming and mushroom cultivation.

General Objective

• To Promote Organic Farming and Ensure Economic Upliftment of the Poor People of Nepal

Specific Objectives

• Promote Organic Farming through Model Farms
• Raise Awareness among local people on the benefits of Organic Farming
• Improve the Economic Situation of the local people living below poverty line
• Introduce Organic Farming in Academic and Technical Institutions 

PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

Back 2 Nature Inaugural Function:

 Back 2 Nature with the theme of “Embracing The Nature” was inaugural on August 26, 2023 to create awareness about organic farming, soil-less farming, moringa and mushroom cultivation. Short program was conducted among the students, teaching, non-teaching staffs of Don Bosco and the local peoples around the Don Bosco Institute, Thecho. 

Land Preparation and Infrastructure 

Land Preparation

Two-acre land were separated for the activities to be carried out under this project and a model farm were set up on half acre which includes the Greenhouse where vertical urban farming such as hydroponics were promoted. Another half-acre land was utilized for the mushroom cultivation and this place were utilized for the non-formal training on cultivating different varieties of mushrooms such as oyster mushroom, bottom mushroom. And the reaming one-acre land were utilized for the organic cultivation of regular crops like maize, mustard etc. All the weeds and the unwanted plants were removed from the field and land was made plain suitable for cultivating different plants. Land fertility was raised by adding manure and varies organic means like cow manure which was brought from the nearer livestock farm. Soil moistening was done by appropriately ploughing and caring the fertile soil as potential. Tilers and timely laborers were employed to prepare the land. 

Green House:

Green House set up:

Green house dimensions: 20*18*10 feet3. It was built using UV plastic sheet and iron poles for the support. There is 1 door and 1/1 window in all the sides of greenhouse.  Green house was completed on October 2, 2023. 

Aquaponics set up:

Two layer of PVC pipe fitted at the four wall of greenhouse and a 1000L drum were put. Plant such as lettuce, coriander was planted with the support of Grow beds. At First hydroponics were practice for few months. After that some carp species of the fish such as common and koi carp were added. 

First Vegetables Cultivation:

 Grow bag preparation: 

100 Grow bag was prepared for growing the various plants using plastic bag with a layer of gravel or pebbles on the bottom for drainage and coco-peat was added. 

Planting of leafy Vegetables:

After the preparation of growing bags, leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomatoes were planted on October 15, 2023.
 Harvesting

Total 14kg cabbage, 10kg cauliflower, 9kg broccoli and 8kg tomato were harvested.

                            Second Vegetable Cultivation

 Grow Bag Preparation

Proper preparation of grow bags is essential for creating an ideal environment for plant growth and maximizing yields. 200 grow bags were prepared on 24th April and 25th April by mixing soil, coco peat and organic manure. 

Planting of leafy vegetables: 

After the preparation of growing bags, leafy vegetables such as Lettuce, cauliflower, Cabbage, capsicum and tomatoes were planted on May 5, 2024.

Monitoring of Crops in Growbags 

All plants in the grow-bags are growing well. They are daily monitored and factors like plant growth, diseases, water levels, moisture and temperature were observed. Water nutrients had given in substitute to fertilizers. All plants were taken care and monitored at different stages. 

Harvesting

Till the date, total 11 kg of cauliflower, 7 kg of capsicum and 5 kg of lettuce were harvested from the green house. Tomatoes as well as some cauliflower, cabbage and capsicum are in flowering stage.

Bio-gas 

Bio- gas is an environmentally-friendly, renewable energy source produced by the breakdown of organic matter such as food scraps and animal waste by anaerobic decomposition. To deliver the information related to biogas, a small Biogas system was set up to demonstrate the students. 

Visit to Nepal Biogas Promotion Association (NBPA)

NBPA was visited on 21 February in order to know about home biogas. But NBPA was only associated with GGC model, Mr. Ramesh suggested us to visit Home Biogas situated in Dillibazaar. 

Visit to Home Biogas

 Home Biogas was visited in order to know about bag digester biogas plant. Mr. Lalit Yadav gave us valuable information about the system and its use in our daily life. In this type of bag digester, kitchen waste is used to produce gas as well as liquid bio-fertilizer once it is activated by animal manure. 

Site selection for biogas plant set up

Mr. Lalit Yadav from Home Biogas came to Don Bosco institute and selected an appropriate site for the set-up of 2 CBM bag digester.

Bio gas set up 

Bio gas was set up on 18th march by Mr. Lalit Yadav. After 5 days later, 900L of water and 400kg of cow dung were added. 

Feeding kitchen waste in biogas 

Feeding kitchen waste in biogas plant has been started from 9th April. For this, kitchen waste was collected in a bucket and let them half decayed by mixing water before feeding. 

Ignition of biogas

The biogas was ignited in the kitchen of Don Bosco in 16th of April. We witnessed the clean and efficient combustion of renewable fuel. 

Drip Irrigation 

 For the purpose of water conservation, drip irrigation system was used to place water directly into the root zone and minimize runoff, percolation and evaporation.

Drip irrigation setup

Five drip irrigation system had been implemented in 21st April at Don Bosco Institute to enhance water efficiency and agricultural productivity on its premises. The set up includes a main water supply line connected to sub-lines which delivers water directly to the root zone of plants. 

Tagging with label paper in drip irrigation drum
 Labeling was done outside the five irrigation drums of the farm. Visitors would easily recognize the name of vegetables, distance between seedlings, and water holding capacity of drum.

Solar Panel

Solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly decreasing carbon footprint and helping to combat climate change which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystem. 

Farming Activities:

 Mushroom:

 Preparation of mushroom tunnel house:

Mushroom tunnel house constriction had completed on 25th April, 2024 to grow oyster mushroom and button mushroom by using bamboo, straw and black polythene. Before that mushroom had cultivated on container. 

Mushroom field visit 

To learn the cultivation of bottom mushroom, visited a farmer’s field named Anjan Kumar Kathayath, engaged in button mushroom farming in Chapagaau, Lalitpur on 12 February. He provided us some valuable information about button mushroom farming and problems he is facing in this farming. Farmers are selling mushrooms to their neighbours and in markets fetching a good price.

Mushroom cultivation

Practical session was conducted for the different batch and training was given to them regarding the mushroom cultivation. Many sacks of mushroom were cultivated on 1 October, 18th November, 24th January, 21 th February, 4 th April, and 23 th April, 25th May, 8 June.

 Button mushroom cultivation

Button mushroom cultivation was done on 14 March.

Monitoring of mushroom:

All the mushroom bags in mushroom house are monitored daily. Water is sprinkled around the bags in order to maintain the relative humidity to grow mushrooms. Temperature is also checked time to time. Door of mushroom house is kept open for about 2 hours daily in order to pass the fresh air in and to let go carbon dioxide present inside the mushroom house.

Harvesting mushroom 

Mushroom were harvested individually as they reached maturity from different batch in different days. About 6-8 kg of oyster mushroom was harvested from each batch.

Moringa plantation

To provide the knowledge about the nutritional and medicinal importance of miracle tree (Moringa), about 25 branches were brought from Don Bosco School, Biratnagar which Cultivated in Don Bosco Institution on 1 March, Thecho, Lalitpur. Another 25 branches of Moringa were brought from Basudev Nursery Farm, Hetauda, cultivated on 15 March. About 1 feet of land was dug and some amount of organic manure (cow dung) was applied. About 3 feet tall Moringa branches were cultivated and well covered by mud. Watering was done after cultivating Moringa. Wet cow dung was applied on the top of the branches of Moringa to keep the branches wet.

Livestock 

The moto of Back 2 Nature @Nepal is to establish the model agriculture farm which includes different unit such as poultry and goat farming and so on.

Goat and poultry shed construction

The construction of goat and poultry shed had completed on 15th March.

   Goat Rearing

Goat rearing had been started in Don Bosco agriculture farm from 3rd April. Goat Farming represents a sustainable agricultural practice aimed at providing valuable educational opportunities and practical experiences for students. For this, suitable goat breeds based on adaptability to local climatic conditions and availability of resources were selected. An appropriate housing facility equipped with adequate ventilation, lighting and sanitation is provided for well-being of goats. Similarly, locally available feed resources are given to the goats.

Local chicken and Turkey Rearing: 

On 15th April, twenty local chickens of Sakine species and two Turkey was brought from the nearer poultry farm of Thecho, Lalitpur and stared to rearing. Local chicken often called as free- range or indigenous chicken, is generally considered more preferable than broiler chicken due to its nutritional value (richer in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acid, vitamins and minerals), flavor, health benefit (antibiotics and hormones are rare used), animal welfare, and environmental impacts such as raising local chickens can have a lower environmental impact.

Tools and Equipment Purchasing: 

Tools and equipment’s such as Spades, weeding tools, sickles, pick axe, rake, shovels, wheel barrow, gloves and boots per set, cutting and broning tools per set, water shower buckets, saw and bed decable sheets per bundle and seed container were purchase from nearby market

Awareness Raising, Poster/ Rally Campaign

   Visit to Schools:

This project aims to raise awareness about the principles and practices of organic farming such as mushroom, moringa, hydroponics etc. With the purpose of generating awareness and to encourage the students to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, Staff were appointed to visit nearby school and promote awareness and initiate the green culture in the school. Official talks and explanations had given to different schools’ managers, principals, and staff. So, they were inclusive in our active of promotion of green skills and training at Don Bosco Institute. 

Students from different schools had come to visit the field at Don Bosco Institute, Thecho. A short class was taken in smart class room to provide the knowledge on the topic of organic farming, green house, hydroponics and mushroom farming. After that field visit was done in order to show them mushroom cultivation, organic vegetables as well as hydroponic system. Social impacts were created especially among students and young people to embrace green nature in their life.  At the end, brochure of organic farming was distributed among the students of different schools. 

Table 1. Number of Students 

Public Awareness Rally Program

On the occasions of World Environment Day (June 5), “Public Awareness Rally Program” was organized by the Don Bosco Institute, Thecho Lalitpur in partnership with Godawari Municipality ward No-12, Thecho. The rally aimed to raise awareness about environmental protection and encourage collective action towards sustainability. The rally saw enthusiastic participation from 920 individuals, including students and teacher, from ten secondary schools, Waste Management Organization (Shirijanship Sewa Pvt. Ltd), Nepal Police from Chapagaun, Health Volunteers from Thecho Health post and the organizers teams. Notable figures such as Chairman and prominent environmental activities addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of collective action in tackling environmental challenges.

Seminar 

The motto of conducting seminars were to encourage the students to get involved in the organic agriculture farming, and to deliver the information of organic farming in their community, village and wherever they reach as they belong to different districts of Nepal. Five seminar was conducted on Back 2 Nature related topic such as environment conservation, organic farming etc. Subject Matter expert was invited for the seminar and more than 350 participates were benefited from this seminar.

Training Classes

Training Schedule 

Training classes on the topic of organic farming, mushroom, moringa, bio gas, solar system, drip irrigation, green house, kitchen garden, roof top farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, poultry and goat farming, some vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, colocasia etc were conducted. More than 100 students were trained in green skill development and mushroom cultivation. Syllabus and learning sessions were designed by staffs. 45 days of training classes including theory, practical and field visit were designed and conducted daily for 60 minutes. To uplift learning ability among the students, smart classroom and digital tools were used.

Till the date 6th batches had completed the training classes and 7th batch classes is going on. Training classes were taken by the experienced trainer in the field of agriculture. The training classes had a positive impact on the participants as they gain valuable knowledge and skills in different field of agriculture. 

Training classes were conducted for the tailoring, beauticians, computer and diploma students of Don Bosco Institute. All the students were belonging from the different districts. Overall, the training classes served as a valuable learning experience to the students.

Table 2: Number of Trained Students

Certificate Distribution 

After completion of 45 days training, a short farewell program was conducted and certificate were distributed.

Other Farm Activities:

Preparation of nursery polythene bags

  Nursery grow polythene bags were prepared by filling them with a mixture of soil, organic   manure, sand and ash. The polythene bags were arranged in rows. 

Cucumber Sowing 

The seeds of cucumber were sown in nursery grow polythene as a part of its horticultural activities. For this, suitable cucumber variety was selected on the basis of their adaptability to local climatic condition. Seeds treated with fungicide to protect against soil pathogens was selected. Cucumber seeds were sown manually, typically 1-2 cm depth. After sowing, the seeds were covered with a thin layer of soil and then watered gently to settle the seeds and provide moisture for germination. Altogether, 200 seeds were sown in 4 different days i.e 24th March, 25th March, 26th March and 27th March. 

Cucumber Plantation

Cucumber plantation at Don Bosco Institute serves as a practical opportunity for students interested in horticulture and agriculture. For planting, suitable land was identified with adequate sunlight, fertile soil and access to water. The soil was prepared by loosening it, removing debris and incorporating organic manure to improve soil fertility. The saplings were planted at the appropriate spacing and depth. 

Cucumber Harvesting

Total of 87kg of cucumber was harvested from the agriculture farm of Don Bosco Institute. 13 kg were distributed to the agricultural students. Each students got each cucumber. The aim of distributing cucumbers was to encourage the students to grow themselves and eat tasty cucumbers. 

Cucumber distribution to the agricultural students

Harvested cucumber were distributed to the agricultural students. Each students got each cucumber. The aim of distributing cucumbers was to encourage the students to grow themselves and eat tasty cucumbers.

Tomato Sowing

For tomato sowing, the seed bed was prepared by making the soil fine. All the weeds and vegetation’s were removed. After preparing the seed bed, fungicide treated tomato seeds were sown manually on the bed. The seeds then were covered by a thin layer of soil and straw. The seeds were sown on March 25. 

Pumpkin Sowing

For seeding of pumpkin, seeds were sown manually on grow bag of nursery polythene at 1-2 cm depth. The seeds were covered with soil and watered gently to provide moisture for germination. 50 seeds were sown altogether on 26th March.

Plantation:

Vegetables:

Ginger Cultivation:

A suitable plot within the institute’s farm was chosen for the cultivation of ginger. The selected area was cleared to remove the debris and weeds that could hinder the cultivation process. Organic manure rhizomes sourced from trusted suppliers were selected for cultivating, ensuring healthy and disease-free stock. Around 10 kg of ginger were cultivated on April 14. The rhizomes were cultivated at optimal depths and spacing to promote healthy growth and was incorporated with the soil to make the soil fertile. High-quality ginger facilitates efficient harvesting. 

Chilly Plantation

Prior to planting, the soil was prepared by tilling and adding organic manure to improve soil fertility. Saplings of chilly were planted at appropriate spacing and depth. The plantation of chilly was done 15th, 16th, 17th and 21st of April. Similarly, watering is done to provide moisture to the chilly plants, essential for their growth and development.

Pumpkin Plantation

About 20 saplings of pumpkin were planted at Don Bosco Institute on April 15. For plantation, the land was prepared first by removing all the weeds and adding organic manure in the soil. After planting, watering was done to provide moisture to the plant. 

Cabbage and Cauliflower Plantation

 Fields were prepared by digging and using compost manure. Cabbage and Cauliflower plants were brined from National Agronomy Research System, Khumaltar and plantation was done

Colocasia Plantation

To provide the awareness of nutritional value of colocasia, it was planted. It’s a locally available vegetable and many people are unknown about this plant. When they visit in the field and observe, they know about this vegetable.

 Fruits: 

Orange Plantation

Seven plants were brought from the District Forest Office of Lalitpur district. This plant was planted at the horticulture farm of Don Bosco Institute.

Japanese persimmon plantation: 

For the plantation of Japanese persimmon, a suitable area with well-drained soil and adequate sunlight exposure was selected. The planting hole was dug to accommodate the roots of sapling. The tree was planted and the soil was backfilled applying organic manure and compacted gently around the roots.

Dragon fruit cultivation

18 pieces of dragon fruit were cultivated by giving proper support in the agriculture farm of Don Bosco Institute. Required organic manure were put in the pit in order to provide essential nutrients to grow the dragon fruit. 

Tapioca yum (Simal tarul) plantation

Branches of simal tarul were brought from Hattiya, Hetauda. About 15 branches of simal tarul were cultivated in Don Bosco Institution on 12th March, Thecho, Lalitpur. For simal tarul cultivation, land was dug and some amount of organic manure (cow dung) was applied. After branches of simal tarul were planted, it was well covered by mud. Watering was done after plantation.

Labelling the trees

Different fruits and trees were labelled with their English name, local name and scientific name. Altogether 43 plants were labelled. 

Distribution of chili plants and Sinkauli to tailoring group

Chili plants were distributed to those students who are interested. The motto of distributing chili was to grow chili by them self and avoid to use those chilies which was grown by using different chemicals and processed chili.

By packaging the leaf of Sinkauli, all were distributed to the students. The leaf and bark of this plant called tejpata and Dalchini. English name is Indian cassia lignea or Cinnamon. Aim of this distribution was to deliver the message of benefit of taking the bark and leaf of this plant.

Field Visit 

Visit to National Animal Health Research Centre

National Animal Health Research Centre was visited and consulted Dr. Narayan Paudyal about goat rearing system and poultry rearing system. He suggested to rear the cross breed of Jamunapari and Khari in Lalitpur valley. He also gave very valuable informations about goat and chicken rearing system.

Visit to National Horticulture Research Centre

National Horticulture Research Centre located at Khumaltar, Lalitpur was visited and consulted Mr. Amar Pun to know about Moringa cultivation. According to Mr. Amar Pun, Moringa is a tropical species and is suitable to cultivate in Terai region of Nepal and since Lalitpur has a cold climate, it is not a favourable place for Moringa cultivation.

Lauki field visit

Dharan trip was organized for 3 days from 27th to 29th February. The main purpose of the field trip was to visit Lauki Agriculture Farm to have a look at the model of agriculture farm they have been practicing thereby. Different varieties of fruits and vegetables are being cultivated in the farm. In the same way, buffaloes, chickens, goats and rabbits are being reared in the farm. We gathered very valuable information as well as ideas about agriculture farming by visiting Lauki Agriculture Farm.

National Fishery Research Station

National Fishery Research Station was visited to observe and concern with the scientist about the fish species and farming method.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, embracing a Back to Nature lifestyle is not just a trend but a necessary shift for sustainable living so, model farm was established to promote the organic farming, awareness training program such as seminar, rally program was organized among the local people on the benefit of organic farming, encouraged the local people living below poverty line to start mushroom business for their economic upliftment.

 Overall, this project works on the conservation of main components such as Soil, water, environment and biodiversity. The journey of “Back to Nature” is a path to rediscovering our roots and ensuring a thriving planet for future generations. Let’s heed the call of the nature and make a positive change- starting today.

Sustainable Development Goals - Climate Action

More than 200 people were killed in Nepal over the weekend in what experts described as some of the worst flash flooding to have hit the capital, Kathmandu, and the surrounding valleys.

Swathes of Kathmandu were left underwater after the heaviest monsoon rains in two decades fell on Friday and Saturday, washing away entire neighbourhoods, bridges and roads. The heavy rains caused the Bagmati River, which runs through the city, to swell more than 2 metres higher than deemed safe.

Officials reported that by Monday afternoon, 204 bodies had been recovered from the disaster and at least 30 more people were still stranded or missing, while hundreds more were injured. Dozens who died had been travelling on buses that were washed away when the highways were engulfed by surging flood waters.

Sustainable Development Goals - Quality Education

Young people must have the opportunity to lead change within their own communities

Current Situation

• Nepal is called “Country of the Young” with 40.68% youth population.
• 5 out of 10 youths in Nepal are in Kathmandu district.
• 1 in 4 youth has been unemployed for over a year.
• Today’s 1.45 billion young people (aged 18 to 29), the largest youth generation ever, are actively shaping the world. They are digitally connected, passionate about bringing change, and increasingly driving social, political, and economic progress in their local communities and beyond.

• Description

• According to Nepal Migration Survey carried out by World Bank in 2009 a total of 2.1 million Nepalese are working abroad; most of this population consists of youth aged between 20 to 44 years.
•  
• Nepal has little to offer its youth and every day, more than a thousand migrate with the hope of better pay overseas. Lack of skills alongside shortage of employment has left thousands of youth in distress and poverty. Having a large section of youth population, Nepal is unable to absorb their skills and energy into labour market.
• The economic growth of a country and increment of living standards is directly related youth empowerment. Youth empowerment is achieved by encouraging youth rights and youth activism. Hence, the potential of youth in Nepal is remains untapped. The is an immense need to empower youths of today for a better tomorrow.

• Goal

• To empower youth socially and economically through education, life skills and entrepreneurship development. Youth Empowerment Program focuses its projects under three very important SDGs:
• Goal 1: No Poverty
• Goal 4: Quality Education
•  
• Via this program, DBSHAREN intends to provide youth with skill-based training. The program includes giving skill-development training, vocational and entrepreneurship training, to equip youths with essential knowledge and encouragement to start their own business in their homeland. It is engagements like these that encourage youths to be active in their community and spring in them the motivation and dedication to do something productive. Nepalese communities are in dire need of youths. With most of them jumping for opportunities abroad and some still looking for jobs here in the country and a lot of the youths lost in drug-infused haze, Nepalese youths need to be involved in productive activities, useful skills, trainings, inspiration and motivation. When the youth of a country is strong, confident and motivated, they help grow the country is a holistic manner. Youth when guided to the right direction, become the key agent in changing their community and country for the better. Nepal’s total population is comprised by 38.8% youth. If they can be correctly mobilized the development of communities and nation is guaranteed. Volunteers can be the driving force behind the mobilization of Nepalese youth. It is an empowering task and one that is very rewarding.