The 2019 TGT Higher Education programme is underway. This year, four students, two from Southampton University (UK) and two from Tribhuvan University (Nepal) are in Solukhumbu for three weeks to research the environmental, social and economic impacts of the agro-forestry work we have been enabling there over the last five years.
Keshab Rai (Deusa AFRC manager) explains the climate change adaptation work he is leading in Solukhumbu to Charlotte Thomas, Rachel Roberts and Kanchan Kattel.
The students arrived at Deusa AFRC yesterday and they have already made a start on their research. Navin Bhanjade and Charlotte Thomas are investigating the local economic impact of the surge in coffee production, today they interviewed a local farmer, Yubraj Rai from Dipli, Deusa.
Navin Bhanjade interprets for Charlotte Thomas as they interview local farmer Yubraj Rai about the coffee value chain.
Rachel Roberts and Kanchan Kattel are looking at the impacts of Agroforestry and interviewed Panchalal Tamang about this experiences of the programme today.
Navin Bhangade, Kanchan Kattel and Rachel Roberts learn about the installation of polytunnels at Deusa AFRC.
The students have also spent time in the hamlet of Budhidanda, conducting a survey there with the people who congregate around the shops there. Tomorrow, all four students are going to trek down to Rindapu to visit a coffee plantation area and to interview Netkumar Rai.
TGT’s higher education programme is our contribution to developing the next generation of climate change adaptation professionals. We fully fund field trips for the Nepali students, UK students raise funds to cover their flights, travel and board while in Nepal.
If you would like to know more about our Higher Education programme or are interested in sponsoring what we do, please get in touch with our co-director, Dr Morgan Phillips via our contact page.