Consumption and nutrient-based marketing of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L) through women empowerment in the mid-west of Nepal

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1 Consumption and nutrient-based marketing of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L) through women empowerment in the mid-west of Nepal 27 FEB, ND Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture in Mountain Areas l Sumitra Thapa Magar (RSP) NMA Nepal

2 Nutritional value of nettle Stinging nettle is, nutrient-dense crop: Contains calcium, iron, protein, phosphorus, vitamin A and C, good for anemic people -- 46% children <5 years age and 35% women aged years are anemic in Nepal, good for patients of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure. But it is, highly under-utilized plant resource -- wasted each year, found in wild form in marginal land and forest in hilly region, and so, it s organic by-default. It, can be consumed as vegetable (of young shoot) and curry (of processed powder), could be good source of income and nutrition for smallholder farmers in mountain. 2

3 New initiation over contemporary one Contemporary practice Linking processed nettle powder to the market; economic lens only -- conventional marketing. New initiation Marketing based on its nutrient content -- nutrition sensitive marketing and value chain. Disseminate its nutritional value and promote its consumption to improve nutrition. Engage nutritionally-vulnerable population, i.e., women. 3

4 What are we doing Involved 70 women-headed households -- the nutrition gatekeeper. Women s engagement, labour and income affect the nutrition of whole family. 1. Training on nutritional and economic importance of nettle theoretical and practical knowledge, technology and skill about harvesting, collection, drying and processing; coaching on preparing vegetable and curry. 4

5 What are we doing 2. Practical coaching on harvesting young shoots of nettle harvesting season: Jul-Sept; 4-5 young shoots are harvested; plucked with the help of glove and fork (chimta). 5

6 What are we doing 3. Establishment of nettle processing unit Drying in mesh inside poly-house Young shoots are dried for 1-2 days. 6

7 What are we doing 4. Support in processing and marketing after proper drying, it is broken down into small pieces with hand, packed in appropriate size, and sent to trader; women farmer group make an agreement with trader each year; they export around 4 mts of raw nettle to the trader each year -- 1 kg raw nettle costs NPR ) 7

8 Making its marketing nutritionsensitive Increasing consumption Behavior change campaign (food fare, demonstration etc) Influencing household preference School-based behavior change campaigns Nutrient labelling Demand side pathway Supply side pathway Nutrition value addition Increasing production Training on harvesting and processing Input support (poly-house, packaging machine etc) Link to trader Nutrition value addition Coordination at district level (DIMEGA, MEDPA etc) Targeting women -- coaching, developing human resource. 8

9 Achievements and effects observed A nettle processing unit established -- promoting entrepreneurship at local level. 5 women trainers developed in nettle processing and consumption. Change in food habit -- consumption of locally-available diverse foods. Access to credit. Ms. Kalawati Tiwari, Dailekh district Out area is rich in nettle. It was not used anywhere except providing to cattle earlier. After the training on nettle processing and consumption, I realized that I made a big mistake neglecting nutrient-rich nettle; I didn t feed it to my children. I am now educating local people about its nutritional value, particularly for women of reproductive age, and including it in their meal. Besides, I also collect raw nettle powder from woman farmers and sell it to the trader in district headuarter. 9

10 We are envisioning Multiplying economic return: Owning processing euipment to prepare nettle powder -- per unit powder costs 3 times more (NPR /kg), Develop own brand and further promote nutrition sensitive value chain. Making other agricultural enterprises nutrition-sensitive. Promoting safe and nutritious food -- bringing down the anemic population in district. 10

11 Acknowledgement 11

12 Thank you