Enriching Agriculture in Nepal through Bag Digesters (ENRICH)

Summary of the project: ENRICH Project is a pilot project of Renewable World supported by Innocent Foundation which aims to support in 8 communities in Banke district to develop biogas technology, agriculture and micro-enterprise development activities. Biogas technology is a renewable energy technology which utilizes the animal and plant waste to produce clean cooking gas and nutrient rich bio-slurry.
Overall objective of the project: Rural communities in Nepal are healthier as a result of improved nutrition. 
Specific objective of the project: Eight rural communities in Banke district have increased their nutritional intake and generate an increased income through the establishment of a self-sustaining local market in Bag Digesters, biogas and organic compost fertilizer.

Major interventions:

• Installation of bag digester in 8 communities of Banke district.

• Agricultural group formation in those 8 communities.

• Conducting various agricultural and micro enterprise development trainings in those groups.

Approach and implementing modality:

• Detailed feasibility studies will be conducted in up to 16 sites, incorporating a technical, economic, social and environmental assessment.

• Potential entrepreneurs will be selected and will be provided with a cost estimate, including a contribution of approximately 15-20 % by the entrepreneur towards capital costs.

• The grant portion will fund the Bag Digester technology and training, but the entrepreneur will be expected to cover the costs of constructing a greenhouse around the bag digester, fencing, a shed for storing slurry and other necessary civil works.

• Final selection of the 8 most promising sites, with other potential sites moved onto a 'waiting list' (to be considered for support in the future should any further funding become available.

• A site-specific activity plan and detailed timeline will be made in collaboration with the selected entrepreneur.

• 2 Agricultural groups having 25 members each will be formed in each of the selected sites.

• Various agricultural activities such as Nursery Management Training, Integrated Pest Management Training, Commercial Vegetable Production Training and Slurry Management Trainings will be conducted timely.

• Micro enterprise development training will be conducted in order to improve the financial stability of the beneficiaries.

Total Population reached till December 2021: Total= 408 Households