- South Korea's KOICA has committed $12 million to boost climate-resilient rice production in Nepal's Terai region through a six-year project.
- The initiative will introduce resilient seed varieties and improved farming practices in six districts to combat erratic weather and flooding.
- The project addresses post-harvest gaps by upgrading storage facilities and strengthening market access to ensure financial stability for local farmers.
- Technical support from international research institutes will help build a sustainable rice value chain and enhance national food security.
Kathmandu, Nepal: For thousands of farmers across Nepal’s southern plains, where unpredictable weather has increasingly made farming a risky livelihood, a new partnership with South Korea offers a sense of cautious hope.
The Government of South Korea has committed $12 million in grant assistance to help Nepal strengthen climate-resilient rice production in the Terai, the country’s main food-producing region. The support, provided through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), will fund a six-year project running from 2026 to 2031.
The initiative, titled “Climate-Resilient Rice Production and Productivity Increase in the Terai Region of Nepal (CRRPPI-T),” was formally launched on Thursday with the signing of a Record of Discussion between KOICA Nepal Country Director Mooheon Kong and Dr. Hari Bahadur K.C., Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
But beyond the formal signing ceremony, the project speaks to a much larger reality: farmers in districts such as Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Kapilvastu, Kailali, and Kanchanpur are increasingly struggling to cope with erratic rainfall, floods, and prolonged dry spells. For many, rice farming is not just an occupation—it is their primary source of food and income.
“This kind of support can make a real difference at the grassroots level,” said a senior agriculture official present at the event, noting that improving productivity alone is no longer enough. “Farmers need tools and systems that help them adapt to changing conditions.”
The project aims to do exactly that. It will introduce improved and climate-resilient rice varieties, strengthen local seed systems, and promote farming practices that can withstand environmental stress. At the same time, it will address long-standing gaps that farmers face after harvest—such as poor storage, post-harvest losses, and limited access to markets.
For farmers, these issues often mean that even a good harvest does not always translate into better income. By improving storage facilities, strengthening cooperatives, and connecting producers to markets, the project hopes to ensure that increased production leads to tangible financial benefits.
The Terai region, often called Nepal’s “grain basket,” is central to the country’s food security. Yet, it is also one of the areas most exposed to the impacts of climate change. Experts say that without timely interventions, productivity could decline, putting additional pressure on already vulnerable rural communities.
The project will be implemented by KOICA in collaboration with Nepal’s federal and provincial governments, with technical support from the Nepal Agricultural Research Council and the International Rice Research Institute. This partnership is expected to combine global expertise with local knowledge, ensuring that solutions are both practical and sustainable.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Agriculture Secretary Rajendra Mishra emphasized that the initiative is not just about increasing production but about strengthening the entire agricultural system. “This project will help build a more resilient rice value chain, improve food security, and ultimately raise farmers’ incomes,” he said.
KOICA Country Director Mooheon Kong described the initiative as a reflection of the strong partnership between Nepal and South Korea. He stressed that the goal is not only to provide financial support but also to share knowledge and build long-term capacity within Nepal’s agricultural sector.
As climate change continues to challenge traditional farming practices, projects like this are becoming increasingly important. For many farmers in the Terai, the success of such initiatives could mean greater stability, improved livelihoods, and a more secure future.
In the end, while policies and funding agreements are signed in conference halls, their true impact will be measured in the fields—where farmers adapt, harvest, and hope for better seasons ahead.
