Agro/Eco Farm 2018

Project Background: Nepal is an agricultural country. About 80% of the people’s occupation is agriculture. Trade is also mainly of agricultural products. Agriculture provides raw materials for the industries. With the help of good manure, seeds, equipment and irrigation the growth of crops is increased in large quantity. Agriculture is known as the backbone of economy of Nepal. Agriculture occupation consists of three types: food crops, cash crops and mixed crops. Beside this, there are Livestock, Horticulture and Fishery.
VIN’s agro/eco farm concept is based on low-external inputs and sustainable farming practices, which allow farmers to integrate different technical elements into the system. It will support to produce crops for both, home consumption and income generation.
In Nepal agriculture is the main source of income of the people. However farmers are unaware about modern technology and multiple farms. Many local youth are migrating to other countries for labour. There is a big force of unemployed youth in the country. The main aim of this project is to provide opportunity to youth to get involved into the project. It will enhance the entrepreneurship skills among youth and women on agriculture of VIN’s working community. The project will support the local farmers in day to day activities in their farm.
Objectives

• To support local farmers in day to day farming activities in their farm.
• To provide education to local people in the field of agricultural management, organic eco farming, marketing, farming techniques, irrigation and plant nutrition etc.

Work/activities

• Hands on activities with the local farmers in their farms.
• Educate local people in the field of agricultural management, organic eco farming, marketing, farming techniques, irrigation and plant nutrition etc.
• Create mass awareness about the hazards of chemical pesticides so as to aware other farmers in the community into organic production. 

Placement Support Process: The first day is arrival day and each volunteer is greeted and received by VIN local staff at the airport and taken to a local host family.  On the second day volunteers will receive a full day orientation at VIN offices in Kathmandu. The placement orientation will cover cultural tips, survival phrases on Nepali language, health tips, preparation for project activities and an introduction to VIN. Volunteers will always be guided by a Nepali camp leader and VIN supervisors will visit them time to time for follow up and support. Should you have any concerns on the workcamp, you may always call VIN for immediate help. During or after the workcamp, our staff will take volunteers on a half day sight-seeing tour a cultural heritage site. On the last day of the workcamp, volunteers will submit a detailed work report, fill up an exit form and sit with VIN executives for an exit interview and feedback session.
Location: Tarakeshwor : Tarakeshwor municipality is situated in the outskirts of Kathmandu District. It is around 10-15 km from main ring road to Balaju, Kathmandu covered with hills, fields and woods. 
Accommodation:  The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN.  The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms.  The volunteers sleep on simple beds / mattress. Please bring your sleeping bag.
Language: Basic English should be spoken among the participants
Participation Fee: The participation fee is 200 Euros (+30 Euro for transportation), which is to be paid on arrival at VIN Office, or upon booking the placement by PayPal or bank transfer before the placement.
The Participation Fee Covers:

• Food and Accommodation: Nepali Standard at a local host family – 3 meals a day
• Transportation: Airport pick up and pick up and drop to the working community site
• A half day guided sight-seeing to the world heritage site of Kathmandu
• Materials for the work-camp and community development projects support
• Local volunteers’ support cost
• VIN T-shirt, and certificate of participation
• 24 hours emergency support
• VIN admin cost. 

What’s excluded?
Airfare, VISA, Travel medical insurance, return airport transfer, entrance fees on the world heritage sights, Personal travel and weekend activities expenses etc.
Meeting point: VIN staff will pick each volunteer from the airport. The volunteers are requested to send their flight details to VIN on time so that we can send our staff with your name card and VIN’s Logo.
If you want to come earlier and explore the country more, you may find pre-paid taxi at the airport or VIN may help you on that.
Airport : Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu
Leisure Activities: VIN will take you to a half day cultural sightseeing. Either before, during or after your workcamp.  VIN also organizes weekends travel tours to Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, Nagarkot at an additional cost if you are interested.
(The detail info sheet and acceptance letter will be sent from VIN after we receive your Complete Volunteer Exchange Form (VEF) from the sending organization)