Surkhet, Nepal — May 27, 2024

A five-day residential bootcamp, aiming to equip 300 agriculture-based entrepreneurs, alternatively called ecopreneurs, from seven municipalities of Karnali Province with entrepreneurship skills, has started in Surkhet today.

Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Co- operative (MoLMAC) of Karnali Province and seven local governments by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab), the bootcamp seeks to bridge the gap in existing skill development programs by providing smallholder farmers with comprehensive training, mentorship, and access to markets and resources.

This bootcamp is a major activity as part of the “Business Incubation for Strengthened Local Agri-food System in Karnali” project implemented under GRAPE project by YI-Lab and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Nepal, aiming to enhance green marketplaces in Karnali Province by providing business incubation services to ecopreneurs focusing on creating environmentally sustainable businesses. The project is being implemented in Barahtal, Bheriganga, Birendranagar, Bhagawatimai, Bhairabi, Dullu, Naumule municipalities and rural municipalities of Surkhet and Dailekh districts of Karnali. The GRAPE project is funded by the European Union, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

While the first phase of the bootcamp for 150 farmers is scheduled from May 27-31, the second phase, also with 150 participants, will be held on June 3-7. The 300 participants were selected from 431 applicants who applied via an online application call through apply.merokheti.org. The bootcamp participants include 236 women and 135 from ethnic minorities and the Dalit community.

This bootcamp presents an opportunity to equip smallholder farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s agricultural landscape. Our Secretariat wants to see more initiatives like these that empower our farmers and contribute to the sustainable agriculture development of Karnali Province,” says Director of Agriculture Development Secretariat under MoLMAC Chitra Bahadur Rokaya.

Throughout the bootcamp, participants will delve into a diverse range of topics essential for entrepreneurial success, including value chain mapping, networking, entrepreneurship development, market analysis, legal compliance, and business planning. Through interactive sessions and practical workshops, participants will gain invaluable insights and skills to navigate the intricacies of the agricultural business landscape.

This collaboration aims to strengthen local agriculture-based entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing comprehensive support to agri-entrepreneurs and ensuring they have the tools to succeed in their endeavors. Through this project, we are committed to fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing food security in Karnali Province,” said Programme Manager of the GRAPE project, Axel Binder.

This bootcamp is an important step towards promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development in Karnali Province. By equipping ecopreneurs with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in the agriculture sector, this initiative aims to create a pathway towards a prosperous future for local communities.

We are dedicated to empowering local communities through enhanced food and nutrition security. Our approach is to focus on agro-ecological approach to addressing the needs and aspirations of the community through innovative and transformative interventions. This project shows how we stand by our commitment to help ecopreneurs from the community and build resilience in Karnali Province by giving them the support they need for making positive changes in their lives,” said WHH Nepal Country Director Shakeb Nabi.

At the end of the bootcamp, ecopreneurs will have the capacity to pitch their ideas and develop their own business plans. Furthermore, even after the bootcamp concludes, dedicated mentorship will be provided to these ecopreneurs by 40 mentors over the next three months.

YI-Lab champions innovation and technology. We work with young innovators to make a difference. This bootcamp is a demonstration of our commitment to providing ecopreneurs, including young agri-entrepreneurs, with the tools and support they need to make a positive impact in their communities,” said YI-Lab Executive Director Pradip Khatiwada.

Before the bootcamp, an online course titled “Agri Entrepreneurship was developed, consisting of five modules with lectures, learning materials, and quizzes covering the general landscape of agri-business needs in Nepal. This course was packaged into a video and is publicly available on shikshya.org. The 300 ecopreneurs were introduced to the course through the video.

Also, as part of the project, another bootcamp will be organized for 40 business intermediaries from Surkhet and Dailekh. This bootcamp aims to enhance service delivery between ecopreneurs and traders, focusing on aspects such as input supply and market relations.

Additionally, a demo-day event, also called an exhibition, will be organized to provide ecopreneurs and business intermediaries with the opportunity to showcase their products or prototypes. This exhibition will serve as a platform to gain market experience and establish a strong network.

For more information, please contact:

Alisha Khadka, Program Associate, YI-Lab; [email protected]; 9868105286
Usha Kiran Bhandari, Program Associate, YI-Lab; [email protected]; 9868227316