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Forest and Farm Facility

Nepal

Nepal - Members of Shree Mishreet Fish Farming Cooperative

Context

As one of the original core countries, Nepal joined the FFF in 2012 and has been a member of the programme for over a decade. 

In Nepal, the FFF collaborates with the Federation of Community Forest Users (FECOFUN) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE). FECOFUN represents approximately 14 million people belonging to 22 266 community forest user groups (CFUGs) – that’s one third (35%) of the country’s population who collectively manage and depend on the forest around them to earn a sustainable living.

A country rich in tree cover, community forestry in Nepal is globally recognized for its ability to successfully integrate rural livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate resilience. A key focus of the FFF is to support women and conserve traditional culture, strengthen policy advocacy, promote the development of innovative sustainable enterprises, and increase climate resilience.

In 2025, FFF Nepal supported one main umbrella FFPO (FECOFUN) and 22 smaller groups representing over 3.4 million households.

Contacts

Coach:
[email protected]

Facilitator:
[email protected]

Products

Key products produced in Madagascar include honey, cinnamon, rice, cloves, lychees and moringa.

Some farmers also keep livestock.

Highlights

  • Influencing policy
    FECOFUN advocacy was central to securing provisions in the Forest Act 2019 that recognize agroforestry in community forests and allow community forest user groups (CFUGs) to establish forest enterprises. These include non-timber forest products, like spices and handicrafts, timber businesses and eco-tourism.
  • Advancing gender equality
    FECOFUN successfully lobbied for gender to be included within local and national forest law. As a result, it is now mandatory to have 50% participation of women in CFUG executive committees, and it is compulsory to include women in leadership positions.
  • Resilience and entrepreneurship
    With FFF support, Binayi Community Forest User Group successfully set up a business to produce biofertilizer from forest leaf litter. Funding was matched by the municipality. Through their new enterprise, the women have built sustainable livelihoods, contributed to a 70% reduction in forest fires, and inspired other women to do the same.

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