Strengthening local capacities for resilient agriculture water management in Nepal’s mid-hills: a case study from Bisdeutar, Indrawati.

KC, Jibesh; Shrestha, Shisher; Adhikari, Aashika; Koju, Rabina

Strengthening local capacities for resilient agriculture water management in Nepal’s mid-hills: a case study from Bisdeutar, Indrawati.

Autores

Editor

International Water Management Institute

Descripción

Nepal’s marginalized mid-hills communities face persistent challenges including water scarcity, limited irrigation infrastructure, climate risks, out-migration, weak institutional support, and poor market access. To address these constraints, IWMI supported the installation of a solar-powered lift–based multiple use system and adopted a phased, system-based capacity development approach grounded in socio-technical innovation. This technical brief presents a case study from Bisdeutar in Indrawati Rural Municipality, illustrating how strengthening local capacities can enhance resilient agricultural water management in Nepal’s mid-hills. The study draws on stakeholder consultations, gender- and age-disaggregated focus group discussions, and household surveys to identify key capacity gaps, including limited knowledge of efficient irrigation practices, high-value crops, and integrated farming systems, alongside weak institutional coordination. Farmers prioritized micro-irrigation, agroforestry, and soil moisture conservation, with women highlighting moisture management as a critical need. Targeted capacity-building activities such as agricultural training, soil moisture sensing, and practical field demonstrations helped translate improved water access into livelihood opportunities. A key outcome was the establishment of a local Multistakeholder Agriculture Knowledge Hub, strengthening farmer-to-farmer learning, inclusive participation, and institutional linkages. The brief concludes that sustained capacity strengthening and multistakeholder collaboration are vital for scaling climate-resilient agriculture and securing long-term livelihoods in Nepal’s mid-hill regions.