Our partner, Himalayan Community Development Forum (HICODEF), in Nawalparasi, Nepal have been working with rural communities with support from The Glacier Trust for over two decades. The work we’re enabling supports farmers to adopt organic, climate adapted and resilient agroforestry. We are so happy to report that the work is working and coffee farming, especially, is taking root.
HICODEF’s latest progress report details encouraging developments in the second phase of our From Surviving to Thriving project.
Summary
Between July and September 2026, 170 farmers from 11 community groups planted 7,831 coffee seedlings across the project area. Of these, 6,005 were supplied through the project, while farmers grew the remaining 1,826 themselves in their own nurseries. The fact that almost a quarter of the seedlings came from farmers' own efforts is a sign of growing local enthusiasm and ownership.
Coffee is being planted alongside fruit and fodder trees, creating more diverse agroforestry systems. These provide shade for coffee plants while helping farmers make better use of their land. The project is also supporting families to grow winter vegetables between coffee plants and in kitchen gardens. Improved vegetable seeds were distributed to 200 households, alongside practical training in nursery preparation, water management, organic fertilisers and natural pest control.
Community involvement remains central to the work. Over the summer months, 233 farmers (138 men and 95 women) participated in ten group meetings and practical training sessions. Regular visits from HICODEF staff are helping farmers care for their new plants, strengthen their skills and share knowledge with one another.
There is still work to do, particularly around irrigation, coffee-processing equipment and developing market links so that farmers can secure the best possible returns from their harvests. However, progress is very encouraging, with coffee cultivation expanding and farmers increasingly investing their own time and resources in its future.
None of this would be possible without the people who support The Glacier Trust. Your ongoing commitment helps us provide the consistent, long-term support that communities need to adapt to climate change, develop sustainable livelihoods and build a more secure future. Thank you for making this work possible.