In three mountain villages in central Nepal, the Schöck Family Foundation financed the creation and maintenance of forest gardens for 27 farming families with a total of 2037 mixed trees. In addition, a tree nursery was set up in two of the villages so that the forest gardens could be enlarged independently.
Nuts, mangoes, bananas, limes, silk from mulberry leaves, essential oils, lumber, animal feed, perfume from tree blossoms – thanks to the variety of production, a forest garden provides food and feed for its own use all year round, as well as enough overproduction to support farming families every month to provide a small but reliable income, they also protect against erosion, prevent landslides and replenish groundwater reserves. However, although the forest garden is the most productive land use in the subtropics, people in the mountains of Nepal do not have the money to plant such productive ecosystems.
The Ithaca Institute has developed a method with which it is possible to help entire villages to set up forest gardens together: the association guides the farmers in correct planting, teaches them how to set up water retention basins for irrigation and draws up monthly management plans with the families. If at least 80% of the trees have survived after a year, the farmers receive a financial bonus and can participate in the expansion of the program.
Project sponsor: Ithaca Institute gGmbH
Funding year : 2017
Project No.: 79-17 on