In Nepal, a cooperative was established by women farmers to help themselves and their families improved their agriculture production and provide livelihood opportunities among its member. The Kalika Land Rights Agriculture Cooperative Ltd. has 49 members (46 females, 3 males) composed of Dalit (19), indigenous people (14), and the so-called higher caste (16).  The cooperative prioritizes community members, both women, and men, that are resource-poor and are willing to participate in the programs such as savings and credit programs, agriculture production, and entrepreneurship development.

For context, male farmers would go to India for work and would return home when it is a good season for farming. The women who are left behind engage in farming all throughout the year. They formed the Kalika Land Rights Agriculture Cooperative Ltd. which allowed them to implement government projects (construction of local roads, irrigation canals, drinking water tube wells, and communal buildings), access government subsidies and services, and provide economic services to their members.

Read the full case study here.

(This article was originally posted in the AFA website)