Policy makers and researchers in Nepal are increasingly interested in agroforestry. To that end, the country’s Ministry of Agricultural Development (MOAD), Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MFSC), and several civil society organizations are joining hands with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) to mainstream agroforestry in their research for development agenda. 

To increase the awareness and advocate the cause of agroforestry, Javed Rizvi, Director of ICRAF’s South Asia regional office paid a visit to Nepal’s Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation, His Excellency Mr. Mahesh Acharya, and explained to the Minister about the urgent need for agroforestry, and the important contributions that trees can make outside of forests. Rizvi emphasized that the foresters have to promote agroforestry to protect the remaining forests of the world. 

The Minister showed keen interest and supported the idea of promoting agroforestry to diversify livelihoods, conserve the environment, and reduce the risks of the climate change. He said that the Ministry is promoting agroforestry but there is a need to implement larger programs in a systematic way. The Minister assured his personal as well as Ministry-level support for further development and strengthening of agroforestry in Nepal. 

Discussing the program of the forthcoming workshop on “Present Status and Future Prospects of Agroforestry in Nepal,” scheduled to take place from 26th to 28th March in Kathmandu, the Minister reiterated his full support, and accepted the request to be the chief guest at the inaugural day of the workshop.