Submit your Article

Nepal, with its breathtaking landscapes and traditions, holds a treasure trove of natural and cultural assets. From luxurious pashmina shawls and hand-knotted carpets to organic teas, medicinal herbs, and unique artisanal crafts, the country offers products that could easily find a place in global markets. Yet, despite this richness, Nepal’s footprint in international trade remains small. This paradox raises questions: Why is a country so rich in export-worthy goods struggling to make its mark globally? And what can be done to unlock Nepal’s true potential in the world economy?  

A powerful example lies in Chiraito (Swertia chirayita), a native medicinal herb that blooms in Nepal’s high hills and alpine regions. With growing awareness and demand for natural remedies and wellness products in today’s world, Chiraito has much to offer as a flagship in herbal export for Nepal. It perfectly illustrates both the potential and the drawbacks of Nepal’s export landscape. Nepal has the resources, the traditional knowledge, and the market interest, however due to lack of infrastructure, institutional support, and strategic direction to scale production, Nepal struggles to meet the global standards. 

Let’s look closer at Nepal’s broader export potential, using Chiraito as a case study. It explores the systematic barriers that hinder the progress and offers actionable strategies to help Nepal with its natural wealth to the world. At the same time, it also secures sustainable economic and social benefits. 

Nepal produces high quality teas, essential oils, handmade paper, wool products, and herbal medicines, many of which are identified as organic, sustainable, and culturally unique. These features are well aligned with global trends favoring ethical and wellness focused products. 

Despite having high potential for the export, Nepal has a negative trade balance due to significantly higher import than export by approximately $12m as per World Integrated Trade Solution 2023.

Chiraito (Swertia Chirayita) is usually found on hill slopes in sub-tropical to temperate zones throughout Nepal between altitudes of 1,200-3,000 meters. It has been reported to be found in 40 districts of the country. In Eastern part of Nepal, the major production takes place in Sankhuwasabha, Terathum, Dhankuta and Panchthar whereas in central Nepal they are available in Rasuwa, Dolakha, , Gorkha, Sindhuli, and Makwanpur, while Rolpa, Dolpa, Salyan, Achham and Doti are the major producing districts in western Nepal as per Study by Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Department of Plant Resources 2011. As per UNDP Climate Change Adaptation 2013, Nepal’s annual production in 2013 was estimated at about 711 MT, with 675.6 MT exported to India and Tibet. This number has massively declined in 2023 to 118.5 tons and worth of Rs 22.4m was exported in India in the first five months of the fiscal year 2023/24 as per statistics of the Mechi Customs Office. 

This herb is valued in Pharmacological properties for liver protection, lowering the blood sugar level and also as an antibacterial and antifungal property. Besides these it is also used in different codified systems of traditional medicine, such as Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. Today, its healing compounds are gaining attention from pharmaceutical and wellness industries in Europe, Japan, and North America thanks to raising health consciousness, increasing consumer preference for natural remedies. According to Grand View Research 2022, the global herbal medicine market size was estimated at $70.57bn in 2023 and is projected to reach $328.72 by 2030. As consumers shift toward natural health solutions, Chiraito stands out as a high potential product for the global medicine market. However, Nepal hasn’t been able to unlock its value to the desirable market to meet the global demand. 

Despite such high-value products, Nepal faces numerous obstacles in expanding its export footprint. Nepal’s mountainous terrain and poor transport network make it difficult to move goods efficiently. Rural roads are often unreliable during monsoons. Exporters struggle with lack of storage, packaging, and cold chain systems, especially for perishable products like herbs. Being landlocked, Nepal also relies heavily on Indian ports for maritime trade, resulting in delays, added costs, and limited market access. Yak caravans used to haul pack loads of the herb through Olangchung Gola Nepal to Tibet. Exports stopped in 2020 when the pandemic broke out, and the northern border was tightly shut.

Chiraito is an endangered herb protected under national and international conservation frameworks. Exporters must obtain special permits from forest and environment authorities, which can be time-consuming and bureaucratic. Importing countries (especially in Europe and North America) have strict standards for herbal products that many exporters cannot meet. Inconsistent quality, lack of Good Agricultural Practices, and lack of certified organic or GMP-compliant processing reduce trust.

Nepal has not successfully built a strong country brand around its exports. While “Made in Italy” or “Product of Sri-Lanka” evoke immediate recognition in fashion or tea, “Made in Nepal” remains unfamiliar to most global consumers. This lack of international visibility prevents Nepal from capturing higher value for its unique goods. Moreover, most Nepali exporters are not digitally savvy. E-commerce remains underutilized, and online storytelling about products like Chiraito is rare.

Exporters face challenges in accessing financing for working capital, certifications, and market development. Banks are often reluctant to lend to small enterprises, especially those in agriculture and forestry. Institutions like the Trade and Export Promotion Centre and Department of Plant Resources lack adequate capacity, coordination, and outreach to rural producers.

International markets demand standardization and proof of quality. For herbal products like Chiraito, certifications such as Organic, ISO, and GMP are crucial. Unfortunately, most producers in Nepal lack the training, equipment, and institutional support to obtain these credentials. As a result, their products are rejected or downgraded in global markets.

To unlock Nepal’s export potential, especially in herbal products like Chiraito, strategic action is essential. First, Invest in Infrastructure such as roads, proper production and processing units with required cold storage to support entire units in highly yield areas. Second, simplify the export procedures and policies through clear guidelines to reduce bureaucratic delays.

Third, build a strong national brand that emphasizes the purity and heritage of Nepali products, supported by certification for instance “Organic Nepal” strategically. Fourth, improve coordination among government bodies, cooperatives, and private stakeholders to streamline support to access the market. Fifth, provide training and financial tools such as soft loans and subsidies to motivate producers. Ultimately, Nepal should be able to engage actively in regional and global platforms. 

In districts like Sankhuwasabha, Dolkha, and Darchula, local cooperatives and community forest groups have begun cultivating Chiraito using improved methods. NGOs have supported efforts to enhance traceability and post-harvest processing according to the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Department of Plant Resources 2011.

Imagine Chiraito, sustainably harvested in Nepal, packaged and sold as per premium wellness product or as medicinal herbs in global markets. This vision is achievable and possible if the above-mentioned recommendation is followed by the concerned and appropriate stakeholders from government and private sector both. It will not only boost Nepal’s global identity but also help upgrade the rural incomes and to support the nation’s economy as well. 

Sabana Bhandari

Rajina Shrestha

MBA students

SAIM College, Mid-Baneshwor

A nation once deeply rooted in patriarchal traditions, Nepal continues to bear traces of the oppressive legacy. The influence can be seen in the male dominance in politics which fuels the perception that women are secondary players in leadership. Women in politics continue to face a pervasive narrative, rooted in historical stereotypes: men are meant to be strong leaders and women are supposed to be good supporters. Generalized instances of underperformance by women are frequently used to question the collective competence of women leaders. This fallacy not only reinforces irrelevant stereotypes but also disregards the reality that political efficacy is not determined by gender but by individual’s capability, dedication and output.

Renu Chand, a central committee member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), Member of the Constituent Assembly and current National Assembly member firmly rejects the narrative that women’s electoral losses reflect their incompetence. “Every male who gets a ticket to run for the election doesn’t win; the same should go for women; this is how election results work” says Chand, rejecting the narrative that women’s electoral losses reflect on their personal incompetence. She dismantles the flawed logic that equates electoral losses with weakness for a particular gender only. Chand’s words highlight the double standard that continues to define Nepal’s political landscape; the idea that women must constantly prove they belong, while men are allowed to fail without being labeled or consequence.

Chand further sheds light on the overlooked struggles of women in politics - their inherent multitasking abilities of balancing family and professional roles, showcasing their resilience. She mentions, “some may struggle due to various relevant reasons but it is inaccurate to brand all women in politics as incapable”. Selective criticism on the basis of gender is simply used as a tactic to uphold patriarchal norms and discourage women leaders from pursuing leadership roles. It works by amplifying the shortcomings while ignoring similar failings in men. This bias leads to the continuation of the stereotype that men are better suited for leadership. She recalls how, during Nepal’s civil war during 1995-2006, many women joined the movement and they fought hand in hand with men. “But as soon as the civil war ended, many women were sent back to households while men continued to pursue their political career” she adds.

Member of Parliament Roshan Karki, also a senior leader of National Democratic Party (RPP), highlights, “women are inherently more giving in nature and often sacrifice their career, particularly as mothers, wives and to support their families”. She points out that, “in families where men are involved in politics, women frequently step back to let their male counterparts advance. This self-sacrificing nature along with the societal structures that favor men, pose a disadvantage for women in general”.

Nepali women have been held back, not because of lack of potential but due to denial of equal access to opportunities or acceptance. In Nepal the preference for male children is very strong and that is reflected in terms of educational attainment and other opportunities as well. While this is changing in modern times, its impact is still visible. Former Member of Parliament and Constituent Assembly member Shanti Pakhrin, a member of Communist Party of Nepal (UML), puts emphasis on the transformative journey that women of Nepal have undertaken from restricted domestic roles to prominent leadership positions, women are coming to the forefront. “Since the starting line was not the same for all, we cannot expect the same results instantly”. Pakhrin emphasizes the need for positive feedback rather than negative criticism. In addition, it is equally important to understand that meaningful change requires time and continual support and promotion. 

Member of Constituent Assembly, Rita Shahi, a member of Nepali Congress Party, adds to Pakhrin’s narrative by saying, “there is a tendency to impose the incapability narrative while ignoring society’s own role in empowering women”. People easily bring out the incapability narrative but no one ever questions what have I done to make women capable or empowered? What is my contribution? 

Echoing Pakhrin’s call to recognize women’s collective progress, Shahi adds another layer by addressing the issue of compartmentalizing women’s issues stressing that treating these concerns as separate will lead to the marginalization of more than half the population. To avoid this, it is necessary to view women’s issues as central to the overall progress of the society.

Women who are in politics of Nepal are slowly and steadily dismantling the barriers that take the form of a deeply ingrained myth of capability and incapability based on gender bias. By showcasing their resilience and determination in the face of these barriers and their stories of balancing family and a career, pioneering achievements and enduring scrutiny reveals their profound strength. This represents a transformation of the political landscape. As Nepal steps into a new era that opens doors for future generations of Nepali women leaders in various sectors, there is a call for action that rings loud and clear: to move beyond limiting beliefs and build a future where every woman’s voice is not just heard but also respected and empowered. The creation of a just society now depends on the young generation, a society where people support the rise of women who are to Nepal’s progress, growth and development.

Studies show one in five people are chronic procrastinators. We’ve done it at least once—putting off homework thinking there is sufficient time till the due date. This act of delaying work is called procrastination. While it might just feel like laziness, the science behind it is far more complicated.

Procrastination actually is a tug-of-war between two parts of the brain—the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. The limbic system is the brain’s emotional center, responsible for immediate pleasure and avoiding discomfort. On the other hand, the prefrontal cortex handles planning, self-control, and logical thinking. In the game of tug-of-war which happens in our brain, the limbic system, which craves quick rewards, often wins out over the prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for long term thinking. This is the reason why we end up binge-watching a show instead of studying for an exam despite knowing we’ll regret it later.

Physiologists explain that procrastination often occurs when the task feels boring or difficult. This gives rise to feelings of stress and self-doubt which we try to escape by avoiding the task itself. This is called emotional regulation failure, where we put off the task not because we can’t do it, but because we want to avoid the negative feelings associated with it. But, the longer we delay, the more anxious we become due to the guilt of avoiding the task. Stress makes this worse by weakening the prefrontal cortex which makes us likely to seek short-term relief rather than pushing ourselves through discomfort.

Research shows that procrastination may have once served as an evolutionary purpose. Our ancestors couldn’t have survived if they had prioritized long-term planning rather than immediate needs like finding food. But today, this completely backfires. Studies also reveal that chronic procrastinators often have less activity in the prefrontal cortex, making it harder to avoid distractions.

The good news is that we can overcome procrastination with the help of some simple science-based techniques. One effective strategy is using the “five-minute rule”—committing to a work for the five minutes—which helps to break the initial resistance that makes you procrastinate. Another approach is by making the task more rewarding—for example, imagining the relief after you finish the work. But these techniques can be difficult due to distractions. You can try turning off notifications or making your device’s screen black and white which will lower your temptations preventing you from getting distracted.

In conclusion, procrastination isn’t just poor time management—it’s a battle between emotions and reasoning. We can be more self-aware and prevent procrastinating by understating the science behind it. By recognizing why we delay and experimenting with science-based techniques, we can take control of our time and prevent last-minute stress.

Divya Prakash Sah

Kathmandu Model College, Bagbazar

Growing up, I thought “agriculture” meant two things: mud on your slippers and the smell of fresh cow dung. The word alone evoked green fields, earthy scents, and the image of a farmer wiping sweat with pride under the sun. We were told it’s our culture, our dignity, our roots. But no one ever said it could be our career. Our future. Our innovation. Our enterprise.

And if we keep treating it as a sentimental artifact instead of a strategic powerhouse, we’ll keep losing both crops and common sense. When I tell people I study agriculture, I often get two reactions. One: “Oh... so you didn’t get into MBBS?” Two: “Who studies agriculture for four years just to become a full time dung manager?”

I smile politely. But let’s be honest, it’s frustrating. See, if someone wants to be a doctor, they study medicine. You want to be a bank manager? You take finance. A food technologist? You go to food tech. But agriculture? Somehow, that’s everyone’s Plan B. The backup of all backup plans. The “If nothing works I’ll just do farming” mindset. And the very thing we depend on every single day, for our food, economy, and festivals is the one thing we prepare for the least.

And young people, they’re running away from it like it’s contagious. Every year, thousands migrate abroad chasing jobs, because they see no future in farming. Not because agriculture is broken but because we’ve failed to make it aspirational. We've told them farming is for those who had “no better option,” not those with big ideas. So instead of staying to transform it, they leave. And the fields they leave behind grow emptier with crops, hope, and innovation all drying up together. We still frame agriculture as a poor man’s job. Something to escape from. We don’t encourage curiosity, creativity, or ambition in this field.

When we say “agriculture is our culture,” it often becomes an excuse to keep things traditionally stuck in time, manually driven, and underfunded. I’ve seen farmers invest years of hard labor, only to watch their harvest rot in the sun for lack of cold storage. I’ve watched relatives plant the same crop season after season because “that’s what we’ve always done” even as market prices crash. No data. No diversification. No business model. Because no one told them farming also needs a strategy.

Meanwhile, other countries are turning agriculture into high-performing industries powered by data, AI, satellite imaging, and precision irrigation. They’re building vertical farms, investing in cold chains, weather forecasting, and market access. Look at Israel, a desert nation, or the Netherlands, a country with limited land; both have transformed their agricultural sectors into export powerhouses through strategic investment and innovation.

We forget that agriculture isn’t just soil and seeds. It’s a multi-layered game of politics, economics, science, and survival. And sadly, we’re still playing it barefoot while the rest of the world shows up in boots, drones, and data dashboards. Agriculture employs around 60 percent of Nepal’s population, yet contributes only 25 percent to our GDP. You see the mismatch? It’s like sending the whole village to build a bridge without giving them a blueprint or tools. Everyone’s working, sweating, committed… but the bridge still collapses.

We’re working hard but not necessarily smart. Think of agriculture not as a field to work on, but as a battlefield of ideas, innovation, and policy. Countries that treat agri as strategy are building food independence, export empires, and tech-driven supply chains. Meanwhile, countries that treat it like folklore are even importing garlic. And one more thing, climate change doesn’t care about your culture. Neither do pests, nor market volatility.

They respond to strategy. If your strategy is tradition alone, you’re not farming. You’re gambling. Agriculture is culture, yes. But that’s only half the story. The other half is power. Food is power. Land is power. And whoever controls it not just physically but strategically writes the next chapter of national development. It’s time to shift our mindset from sentiment to strategy, from preservation to progress. It’s a call to policymakers, educators, and young change makers to see our fields not as fading traditions, but as the foundation of a new future.

Culture makes us proud. Strategy makes us unstoppable. And between pride and progress, I’d like to have both, please with a side of sustainability.

Reetu Shrestha

BSc Agriculture Student, IAAS Lamjung, TU