Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub promotes climate-resilient farming

The Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, in collaboration with GIZ’s Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) Project, has successfully conducted Climate Resilient Agriculture Workshops for young farmers from Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. The workshops provided participants, aged 18 to 25, with critical insights into climate change, its effects on agriculture, and practical strategies for mitigation and adaptation tailored to their local environments.

As climate change increasingly threatens food security and agricultural systems, the initiative aims to drive positive change through dialogue and climate action. The workshop is part of a broader four-part series, culminating in a talk event titled “Adapting Agriculture to Changing Climates.”

Govinda Sharma, the lead trainer from the HASERA Permaculture Learning Center, highlighted the hands-on malt-making process as a key learning experience. Many participants, who had previously relied on traditional farming practices, found the workshop transformative. Learning to convert basic cereal grains into malt not only introduced them to new skills but also revealed income-generating opportunities for their communities.

Sharma also emphasized other practical skills taught during the workshop, such as biochar production, advanced composting techniques, and pest control—each tailored to the specific agricultural needs of the participants. The immediate impact of the workshop is already visible: one participant from Karnali has started producing malt from local grains and is eager to pursue quality checks, marking an early success in what promises to be a wave of innovation across the region.

One of the organizers of these workshops expressed optimism about the future of youth engagement in agriculture, saying, “Hearing these young farmers share their stories made me realize the resilience it takes to grow food in such challenging conditions and the vital role they play in feeding our communities.”

The Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub is now looking forward to the upcoming talk series, which will further explore adaptive strategies for agriculture in the face of climate change and empower the next generation of farmers in Nepal.