Nepal's agriculture presents a fundamental paradox. On the one hand, the sector is the basis of life and employment for the vast majority of the population. According to various estimates, between 62% and more than 70% of all workers in the country work in agriculture. On the other hand, its economic output is disproportionately small. The share of agriculture in Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) has been steadily declining and today stands at around 21-27%. This disparity - with two-thirds of the population creating only a quarter of the nation's wealth - is evidence of a deep crisis of productivity and profitability.

The root of the problem lies in the very structure of Nepal's agricultural sector. It is dominated by small-scale, mostly subsistence farms that are poorly mechanized and focused primarily on self-consumption. The average farm plot size is only 0.9 hectares— an area that is insufficient to achieve economies of scale, implement modern technologies, or generate significant profits. Farmers are forced to resort to labor-intensive terracing of slopes to reclaim every bit of arable land from the mountains, highlighting the acute shortage of resources.

This structural weakness is compounded by a complex of systemic challenges. Soil depletion and erosion, accelerated by massive deforestation for fuel, reduce fertility. Global warming is disrupting normal farming cycles, and the spread of new pests, such as the white woodworm, is threatening entire plantations.

Nepal’s agriculture is at a critical crossroads. Although the sector provides employment for the vast majority of the population, its contribution to GDP is disproportionately low, reflecting systemic inefficiencies and low productivity. This problem is compounded by a worrying demographic shift: the exodus of young people from rural areas in search of work abroad is leaving the agricultural sector with a rapidly ageing workforce, threatening the country’s long-term food security. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of this multifaceted challenge and offers a policy roadmap to address it.

The proposed strategy is based on a fundamental transformation of agriculture from an activity perceived as a burden to a modern, profitable and prestigious profession that is attractive to Nepal’s young generation. The report argues that the key to this transformation is a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach based on four interrelated pillars: creating a new image, reforming education, providing access to land and finance and introducing technologies.

Agricultural cooperatives have been identified as the central institutional mechanism for implementing this transformation. Despite current governance challenges, their vast network provides an unrivalled infrastructure for disseminating knowledge, technology, financial services and collective marketing. Analysis shows that successful cooperatives, supported by external partners, already demonstrate the potential to significantly increase farmers’ incomes and commercialise agriculture.

For a farmer in Nepal, every harvested fruit, every ear of rice, represents months of hard work, hope and investment. But the harsh reality is that up to 30% of that harvest can be lost before it even reaches the table. This figure is not just a statistic. It is based on real stories, like those of farmers in Dhading and Chitwan districts who threw tonnes of tomatoes and cabbages on the streets in desperation due to lack of markets and low prices. It's not just wasted food; it's lost income, wasted energy, and a direct threat to the food security of both the individual family and the entire country.

But what if we looked at this problem not as an inevitable tragedy, but as a solvable business challenge? What if the keys to reducing losses and increasing profits lie not in expensive imported technologies, but in a smart combination of time-tested traditions and affordable modern innovations that are ideal for smallholder farmers in Nepal?

This guide is a practical roadmap for every Nepali farmer looking to turn losses into profits. The path to prosperity is through a holistic approach that begins not after harvest, but well before, with soil health. It continues through smart storage and careful handling, and culminates in creating value-added products and joining forces to reach the market. This article will show how, using accessible and affordable methods, you can not only preserve your crops, but also significantly increase their value, ensuring a stable income and a sustainable future.

Every farmer in Nepal knows what uncertainty is: the vagaries of the weather, the ever-changing prices at the market, and the sight of young people leaving their villages in search of a better life abroad. But what if the solution to these problems was right here, on your land? What if your daily chores – cultivating fields, tending livestock, and offering traditional Nepalese hospitality – could become a source of stable income?

This is precisely the opportunity that agrotourism offers. It is not an alien concept, but a natural extension of what Nepal does best: farm and welcome visitors. It’s about turning your farm into a destination that tourists from all over the world want to visit. Today’s travelers are tired of impersonal hotels; they want authentic experiences, to know where their food comes from, and to share unique, Instagrammable moments on social media.

This article is a practical step-by-step guide for any Nepalese farmer who wants to turn his land into a tourism magnet, provide a stable income for his family and breathe new life into his community.

Nepal’s agriculture sector, the backbone of the national economy and the source of livelihood for much of the population, enters 2025 under unprecedented climate uncertainty. Forecasts point to an increase in extreme weather events, characterized by heat waves and prolonged, unpredictable monsoon rains. This new climate reality poses a direct and immediate threat to the traditional farming practices that have shaped the country’s agricultural landscape for centuries. Analysis of climate data confirms a worrying trend: Nepal is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country's average annual temperature is projected to rise by up to 4.2°C by the 2080s under the worst-case emissions scenario, significantly higher than the global average. Such changes are already leading to more frequent and intense droughts on the one hand, and devastating floods and landslides on the other. The events of September 2024, when unusually heavy monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides that caused an estimated 17 billion Nepalese rupees (US$126 million) in damage, serve as a stark reminder of the country’s growing vulnerability. These events not only destroy crops and infrastructure, but also undermine the food security and economic stability of millions of Nepalese families.

Agriculture has long been the backbone of Nepal’s economy and way of life. The sector still provides employment for about 62% of the country’s households, forming the social and cultural fabric of rural communities. However, these figures hide a disturbing reality. Agriculture’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been steadily declining, falling from over 36% in the past to around 23-24% in recent years. This decline is not the result of rapid growth in other sectors, but rather reflects a deep productivity crisis within agriculture itself.

The Nepalese farmer today faces a complex of interrelated problems. Labor productivity remains low due to the widespread use of traditional farming methods that have been passed down from generation to generation but no longer meet the requirements of the modern world. Land holdings are highly fragmented, with almost 75% of households cultivating plots of less than one hectare, making commercial production extremely difficult. Access to markets and year-round irrigation remains limited, leaving farmers dependent on unpredictable monsoon rains and volatile prices.

To these long-standing problems has been added a new, even more acute one: the shortage of labor. The mass labor migration of young people, mainly men, in search of higher earnings abroad has bled dry rural areas. This has led not only to a shortage of labour during peak seasons, but also to an increase in the cost of hired labour and an increased burden on women, who bear the brunt of agricultural work. As a result, vast areas of fertile land remain uncultivated across the country, a tragic paradox for a nation increasingly dependent on food imports.

Nestled between the world’s highest peaks and rich cultural traditions, Nepal has tourism potential that extends far beyond the snow-capped Himalayas. It is a land of ancient civilizations, deep spiritual practices, and astonishing biodiversity, offering travelers unique and multifaceted experiences. However, to fully realize this potential in today’s environment, a fundamental rethinking of the national tourism strategy is needed. Past approaches, focused primarily on quantitative growth in visitor numbers, have not only exhausted their potential, but also exposed a number of systemic problems, from infrastructural limitations to environmental pressures. The global COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this realization, becoming a catalyst for rethinking the future of Nepalese tourism.

There is a need for “Visit Nepal 2.0” – not just another campaign, but a fundamental paradigm shift. This new strategy should shift the focus from quantity to creating a high-quality, sustainable and, as a result, high-revenue tourism product. This approach is designed to bring tangible benefits to the country’s economy and local communities, while ensuring the preservation of Nepal’s unique natural and cultural heritage for future generations. It is about creating a tourism model where every visitor gets an unforgettable experience, and the country gets long-term benefits and is internationally recognized as a responsible and attractive destination.

Nepal’s tourism landscape is showing signs of transformation in 2025, driven in large part by the expected opening of two new international airports – Pokhara International Airport (PIA) and Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa. This study analyses their real impact on the country’s tourism map by mid-2025, identifying both the successes achieved and the remaining challenges, and assessing which regions have unexpectedly gained momentum.

Key findings indicate that, despite ambitious plans, full international operation of the PIA and GBIA by mid-2025 remains limited. Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, despite its own modernization challenges and temporary disruptions due to reconstruction, retains its dominant role as the country's main international air hub. The new airports have initiated some changes in accessibility to the Pokhara and Lumbini regions, but their impact is constrained by a number of factors, including the infrequency of international flights, high air travel costs, infrastructure constraints and geopolitical aspects such as the difficulty in obtaining new air corridors from India.

Nepal, a country whose name is inextricably linked with the majestic Himalayas and the legendary Everest, has traditionally attracted climbers and trekkers from all over the world. This rich heritage is certainly an asset, but it also creates a somewhat one-dimensional image, limiting the perception of Nepal as a multifaceted tourist destination. This "mountain dependence" is both a strength and a potential vulnerability, since while it attracts a specific segment of adventure seekers, it leaves other, equally rich and attractive aspects of the country in the shadows.

To ensure sustainable growth of the tourism industry, reduce seasonal fluctuations and distribute economic benefits more evenly, Nepal needs to diversify its tourism offerings. Unique cultural heritage, distinctive gastronomy and a kaleidoscope of vibrant festivals are the keys to attracting a wider audience and generating a stable flow of tourists throughout the year. Such diversification will not only increase the country's income from tourism, but also distribute the tourist load, reducing environmental and infrastructural pressure on popular mountain routes and promoting a more harmonious development of the industry.

Lumbini's status as the revered birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is its fundamental asset.1This provides an internal, unique spiritual and historical value, recognized throughout the world.

This unique heritage positions Lumbini as a key destination for more than 500 million Buddhists worldwide and for a wider audience interested in peace, mindfulness and cultural history. The sacredness of the place is of paramount importance.

Lumbini's universal appeal extends beyond Buddhism. Buddha's teachings focus on peace and compassion, have a universal appeal that transcends religious affiliation. In an era of growing global stress and an intensifying search for meaning and well-being (as evidenced by the rise of wellness tourism), Lumbini can be positioned as a sanctuary for spiritual seekers of all persuasions, not just devout Buddhists. Lumbini's inclusion in the New York Times' list of the best places to visit in 2025 is indicative of this broader appeal. Marketing and development should therefore strategically target not only the Buddhist pilgrim market, but also the rapidly growing global wellness and mindfulness tourism segments. This significantly broadens the potential visitor base.