Sapana Village Social Impact (SVSI) successfully conducted a training on tunnel construction and on-field demonstration in Hattibang, Chhapdada, and Ghurkesh Rain Communities, with the aim of promoting agro-ecological production systems and climate-resilient agriculture among local farmers. The training was facilitated by Mr. Legans Ghimire, M.Sc. student of Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), who provided both theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on guidance to participating farmers. The sessions focused on the importance of tunnel farming in off-season vegetable production, crop protection, and adapting agriculture to changing climatic conditions.
During the training, participants learned about proper land preparation, including site selection, soil bed formation, and drainage management for tunnel construction. Farmers were also guided on the step-by-step establishment of tunnel structures, covering material selection, spacing and alignment of hoops, fixing plastic sheets, ventilation management, and strengthening tunnels against wind and rainfall. A major highlight of the program was the on-field demonstration, where farmers actively participated in constructing tunnels in real field conditions. This practical approach enabled participants to better understand installation techniques and address common challenges faced during tunnel establishment.
Farmers from all three Rain Communities actively engaged in discussions and demonstrations, gaining confidence to independently construct and manage tunnels in their own fields. Participants acknowledged that tunnel farming would support sustainable production, improve household food security, and strengthen resilience against climate variability. SVSI believes that such capacity-building initiatives play a vital role in promoting sustainable livelihoods and strengthening agro-ecological practices in rural communities of Chitwan.
