June 28, 2018

Agricultural Training Program

Date: June 28, 2018 to July 5, 2018
Collaboration with: Southwest University of Science and Technology
Organized by: Nepal China Friendship Forum

Agricultural Training program was a 7-day program conducted by Nepal China Friendship Forum along with Southwest University of Science and Technology, from 28th June, 2018 to 5th of July, 2018. The objective of this program was to transfer various modern and efficient agricultural skills from China to Nepal. The program primarily targeted agricultural workers of Nepal. 25 participants from various agricultural backgrounds relying on income from crop farming, poultry farming, mushroom farming, etc. were participants in this training program.

Nepal has long been an agricultural nation with more than 60% of the total population involved in agriculture. In 2017, around 27% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nepal was a contribution from the agricultural sector. Taking into consideration the gap between population engaged in agriculture and economic output, Nepal China Friendship Forum organized an agricultural training in China wherein the trainees learned different aspects of agriculture through scientific research lectures, on-site teachings, sightseeing and some cultural exchange activities.

Training Content

Trainings were a combination of in-house and out-house sessions covering: low cost resource utilization of slaughter waste in smart pastures and large-scale farming, mode of modern industrialized poultry production, rural biomass waste biogas utilization project, transformation of traditional water, modern feed production process, agriculture plus internet, e-commerce on agriculture, new rural construction to sightsee agriculture and Nepalese agricultural development. A session was also focused on the tea culture of China, covering its evolution, history and importance.

Benefits and Outcomes

The program was an eye-opener for many participants who had been following traditional agriculture methods. Nepal's basic irrigation, cropping pattern, and seed/fertilizer issues meant this comprehensive training was highly advantageous. Many trainees expressed determination to implement Chinese farming practices (mushroom, kiwi, poultry farming) in Nepal, and also noted the hospitality of the Chinese hosts as a model for welcoming tourists in Nepal.

Effectiveness Survey

Attendees: 25
Feedback collected from: 10

Survey Questions

What were the major takeaways from the training program?
Which session was the most effective and in what way?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the least effective and 5 being the most effective), how effective did you think the program was in terms of learning, practicality, issue addressing, viable for implementation, and productive?
What suggestions would you like to give and what was the room for improvement while conducting such programs in the future?

Trainee Testimonials

“I had never known the extent to how traditionally we were doing crop-faming here in Nepal. I realized that there was so much that could be done to efficiently produce huge amounts of wheat from our fertile land in Nepal.”

Mr. Badri Bahadur Shrestha

“It was not only about the contents of the training that I could learn from this program. It was their hospitality and welcoming gestures that could always be learned. They assisted us throughout the 7 days in such a warm manner.”

Mr. Jay Ram Subedi

“After that training I realized, we were in zero level of farming. But now, after this program I feel I have learnt a lot regarding agricultural techniques. I would give it a score of 100% and I am sure I will also transform the learning into one of my own business.”

Mr. Kanchan Adhikari

“The technologies that have been currently used in China cannot be transferred here just now. Nepal lacks the preliminary infrastructure to start agriculture in a modernized way.”

Ms. Sushila Poudel

“I highly benefited from this program. It has helped me expand my horizon on agriculture. I am highly motivated by this program and I think this type of program should be conducted at regular time intervals to help Nepalese farmers prosper.”

Mr. Sudarshan Dhimal

“I had not expected this program to be of such a huge scope. It covered a lot of aspects of agriculture-from types of farming to the way they should be conducted to their business implications. Therefore, the program is a five-on-five for me.”

Ms. Ranjana Ghimire

Most Effective Sessions

Rice-farming, mushroom-farming, poultry-farming, and vegetable-farming sessions were mentioned as most effective for practical implementation in Nepal.