Kathmandu. A matchmaking and business pitching event was held to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners, with the aim of connecting forest- and agriculture-based enterprises in Nepal with market access, investment and financing opportunities.
Organized by the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), the event held in the capital on Wednesday brought together stakeholders to discuss business development, investment opportunities and market expansion for forest and farm enterprises.
Addressing the event, Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary said the government was committed to promoting agroforestry to support sustainable enterprise development and rural livelihoods. She stressed the need to strengthen partnerships among producer organizations, the private sector and financial institutions, noting that access to markets and investment must go hand in hand with production.
From Grants to Investment
Arun GC, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and Officer-in-Charge of FAO Nepal, said that as the FFF programme enters its third phase, sustainability and business expansion have become key challenges.
He said grants can help enterprises get started, but private-sector investment is essential for scaling them up commercially. Noting that FAO has been working in Nepal for 75 years, GC emphasized the need to transform producer organizations into competitive, value-added enterprises with stronger access to markets and finance.
According to GC, the FFF has provided more than USD 2.3 million in grants to over 50 producer organizations in Nepal. He also said an innovation voucher initiative had been introduced to support entrepreneurs and urged the private sector to consider not only the size of enterprises but also their potential and community ownership when making investment decisions.
NPR 1 Billion ‘Simrik Nari Fund’ Announced
Manoj Paudel, Chairman of Aadyanta Fund Management, said Nepal has substantial savings in its financial system but faces challenges in channeling those resources into productive investment.
He announced the NPR 1 billion ‘Simrik Nari Fund’, targeting women-led enterprises. According to Paudel, the fund will be Nepal’s first gender-lens equity fund led and managed by women. He said the fund would provide entrepreneurs with not only capital but also access to markets and expertise.
Forest Sector as an Opportunity for Job Creation
Dr. Pukar Malla, a member of the National Planning Commission, said forests cover around 46 percent of Nepal’s land area and could become an important driver of economic transformation.
Displaying a Dhaka waistcoat produced by a woman entrepreneur from Palpa, Malla highlighted the innovation and entrepreneurial potential of rural women. He said strengthening the value chains of products such as coffee, honey and medicinal herbs would be essential to creating the six million jobs Nepal is expected to need by 2050.
Malla also said the government was working on a National Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and a National Care Economy Policy. He added that plans were also underway to support entrepreneurs through a Startup Fast Track initiative.
Connecting Enterprises with Markets
Deepa Oli, Under Secretary at the ministry, said more than 35 enterprises had been supported through the FFF over the past two years. She said the latest initiative aims to prepare investment plans for entrepreneurs from Indigenous and women’s groups and connect them with markets.
Four enterprises working in silage, biofertilizer, essential oils and coffee presented their business plans to potential investors at the event.
Sophie Grouwels, FFF Country Coach, highlighted the outcomes of the programme and stressed the need for stakeholders to work together to strengthen the technical and financial capacity of entrepreneurs.
The event also featured two knowledge-sharing sessions focusing on business development, investment readiness and financing models for forest and farm enterprises.