Feeding the future: the story of Laruwati and Home-Grown School Meals in Nepal
©UN Women / Srijana Battha
Laruwati Kamat, a rural woman farmer from Siraha district in eastern Nepal, has always known the value of fresh food. For generations, her family followed seasonal patterns to cultivate vegetables, believing certain months were the only viable time to grow. However, her approach to farming began to change through her involvement in the Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), a global initiative that aims to empower rural women.
The JP RWEE program provided Laruwati with high-quality seeds and introduced her to modern agricultural techniques, for year-round cultivation. She also learned the greenhouse technique for growing saplings from her son, who had acquired this knowledge through his work with an agriculture project. This support allowed her to expand her farming practices beyond traditional seasonal constraints. Now, Laruwati produces vegetables like cauliflower and leafy greens every season. Her farm is abundant with fresh, nutritious vegetables throughout the year.
"In the past, we didn’t have access to such seeds, which limited both our family’s food supply and income. Our yield has increased since the intervention,” she says. “Now we have more produce to eat and sell.”
This transition from traditional farming to a more innovative, sustainable approach has increased Laruwati’s income and transformed her into a key contributor to her community’s food security and nutrition. Thanks to the JP RWEE programme, her knowledge of sustainable agriculture has grown further empowering her entrepreneurial journey.
-(1).jpg?sfvrsn=c68d249f_1)
Figure 2: Laruwati and Saraswati of Mithila Farmers' Group working in their paddy field. Photo Credit: UN Women/Srijana Bhatta
Jointly implemented by the FAO, IFAD, WFP and UN Women (as a lead agency), the JP RWEE programme seeks to promote sustainable agriculture practices among rural women, support healthy food production and increase their incomes. It further strengthens their collective voice, leadership and participation in institutions that can help their small businesses and communities thrive.
In Nepal, the large-scale out-migration of men from the villages has significantly increased women’s work, both at home and on the farm. Women now face greater challenges in securing their households’ food security and livelihoods. With around 80% of women engaged in agriculture, primarily as subsistence farmers, the programme’s second phase is focused on equipping rural women with the skills and machinery needed for sustainable agricultural practices.
The support provided through the programme not only helps them transition into mid-level farmers by increasing production and productivity but also reduces their workload, drudgery, and time poverty. The programme also emphasizes economic and social empowerment to help these women unlock their full potential and improve their overall well-being.
A Commitment to Healthy Food for Children
4ee164f4-e0a2-4e1a-a23b-37c5d2054317.jpg?sfvrsn=30ccb6c9_1)
Figure 3: Laruwati smiling at the gourds she was about to harvest for the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. Photo credit: UN/Women/Srijana Battha
In March 2024, the JP RWEE programme facilitated a contract between Laruwati's farmer group and the local school, aligning with the government’s mid-day meal programme for public schools. This initiative, part of JP RWEE Nepal’s Home-Grown School Feeding approach, successfully linked 1,091 women farmers with community schools in Siraha and Saptari districts.
Benefitting from this arrangement, Laruwati and her fellow farmers now provide fresh produce daily to Shree Doma Higher Secondary School, right in their neighborhood.
“Our vegetables go directly to the children,” Laruwati explains. “We know they are eating fresh food free from harmful chemicals.” The children receive nutritious meals through this programme, greatly benefiting their health and well-being.
Figure 4: Vegetables being prepared for the mid-day meal for school children. |
Figure 5: Children enjoying their home-grown meals during their mid-day break. |
.jpg?sfvrsn=dafeca44_1)
.jpg?sfvrsn=498c530b_1)
Empowering Women Through Food
The Home-Grown School Feeding initiative is not only about feeding schoolchildren; it is also about empowering women like Laruwati. By connecting local women farmers with schools, the initiative ensures a consistent market for their produce, providing financial stability and enhancing their economic independence.
In the Madhesi community, women and girls often face more restrictions compared to other parts of Nepal, limiting their opportunities to engage in economic activities. The programme's consistent support has enabled Madhesi women like Laruwati to step out of their homes, sell their produce, and negotiate with schools and customers. This reflects a growing sense of empowerment.
Laruwati’s increased income has inspired her to invest her time and efforts in better farming practices, further increasing her yield. “During a recent JP RWEE training, we learned to make ‘jholmol,’ a botanical pesticide that helps our plants grow healthier and stronger. It’s good for the soil, and it’s better for the people who eat our vegetables,” she says. These sustainable practices increase her productivity and contribute to healthier food for her community.
.jpg?sfvrsn=f0e3e9e_1)
Figure 6: Nirmala Chaudhary, Chairperson of the Mithila Farmers' Group, applying 'jholmol,' a biopesticide, to her plants.
Nourishing Generations
For Laruwati, the benefits of her farming extend beyond financial gains. Her ability to provide healthy, home-grown food to her community's children is deeply fulfilling. Additionally, her increased earnings have allowed her to support her grandchildren’s education, sending money for school fees and supplies and positioned her as a key decision-maker within her household.
“Years ago, I struggled to even imagine providing this level of education for my children,” she reflects. “Now, I am financially able to contribute to my grandchildren’s education.”
Looking Ahead
Although a full-time farmer, Laruwati has passions beyond the fields. She loves traveling and has visited several religious destinations in India, including Vaishno Devi, Haridwar and Vrindavan, with some trips lasting up to 15 days.
“I love my family and enjoy being with them,” she says. “But whenever I travel, I feel like I never want to come back and wish the journey would never end.” With her newfound financial stability, she hopes to embark on more travel adventures in the days to come.
Laruwati’s journey from subsistence farming to becoming a critical player in her community’s food system is a powerful example of how access to resources, training, and market opportunities, along with strengthened leadership, voice and agency, can empower women farmers.
With a passion for farming and a growing entrepreneurial spirit, Laruwati is nourishing her community and family, all while cultivating a legacy of empowerment and sustainability through the simple yet profound act of growing food.