Areas where there are opportunities for volunteers to work:

The Jajarkot Permaculture Programme (JPP) is an autonomous NGO based in the west of Nepal. Enclosed is a summary and introduction to the JPP, which started in 1988, and has grown from a single farm and two staff to an integrated rural development programme employing 120 people and working in over 55 villages in four districts.

The programme is very diverse, with nurseries, plantations, forest conservation and management, horticulture, beekeeping, weaving, drinking water systems’ implementation, health, sanitation, non- formal education and other acitivities being established and operated. This is an interesting, educational and inspirational programme to become involved with. In addition, through the JPP we could introduce you to other programmes in Nepal and even India to give volunteers a full range of experience in development issues, not all of which are appropriate and/or successful, but all are instructive.

Below are a few examples of specific programmes within the JPP which could be assisted by expatriate volunteers. Please note that this is mainly a locally run programme, and though funds are needed, they are minimal to the scale of the work, and as a result experience shows that considerable time is needed to orientate and introduce new volunteers in order to allow them to be able to assist the project, while being able themselves to gain positively from the experience. Please bear with us, however, as we are conscious of the valuable part to play of motivated volunteers wishing to learn from the experiences of such projects. Part of visitors’ brief may well be compiling information packets to more rapidly and effortlessly introduce and orientate newcomers to the programme and Nepal and also enhancing their own work.

Please also note that it is not necessarily up to expatriates to say what the JPP needs in terms of expatriate assistance. As a result of increased interest from people like yourself, however, we are in the process of village surveys at JPP working sites where the villagers themselves will identify projects that expatriates can assist with.

Biodiversity programme. A British anthropologist has recently been working in Jajarkot, studying non-timber forest products (NTFPs - fibres, medicines, food plants, etc). He has catalogued in detail plant species, their habitats, uses, and the extent to which they are exploited - are they locally consumed, traded with other villages, or exported to India for processing. In the case of the latter, where do they go, in what quantities, and how are they processed. The objectives of his research include direct application to the JPP’s development work. Are the NTFPs over exploited i.e. in need of conservation? Can they be grown in farmers’ fields? If so, the JPP looks to use them in farm diversification projects - or or do they require undisturbed forest habitat? With the latter, habitat conservation is the only way of “managing” the NTFP, also giving the forest an economic value and thus ensuring its conservation. Finally, a bee forage calender has been produced to see which plants produce nectar at various times, and to integrate with the JPP’s beekeeping programme, supplementary planting is planned to increase nectar flow in low-forage times of the year. This study is not complete, and has many applications are yet to be explored. The anthropologist has prepared a report as to how areas of research and application can be expanded.

Other present research involves input-output analysis of agroforestry and farm diversification systems and other forms of low external input and sustainable agriculture, comparing them with both traditional and high external input systems. This would look at energy, time, social, economic and ecological parameters. Another researcher is looking at how JPP programmes are influencing local schools.

Illustration and design of newsletters, technical bulletins, and other information packages for use by farmers is another area needing support from volunteers skilled in information search, cataloging data, illustration, graphics and desk top publishing.

Apart from projects like these, and others still to be identified after asking villagers, volunteers are encouraged to play a part in the running of JPP resource centres, which are working farms set up to demonstrate, train and resource sustainable agriculture development. This will give volunteers a taste of traditional village life - caring for livestock, grain crops, and the general running of the household. In addition, they will get direct experience in the introduction of improved technologies alongside traditional ones. This may be beekeeping, weaving, fruit tree production, kitchen gardening, leather working, and a plethora of other activities that JPP is involved in. Finally, there are frequent cultural activities such as song, dance, and festivals to observe and enjoy. These are as much a part of the JPP’s work as the planting of trees, and equally important when working with holistic systems.

Training courses are regularly performed at the Resource Centres and in situ at village sites. An extensive training programme has been drawn up by JPP to coincide with on-going work, according to the season.

The following seasonal training programme is available (given in Nepali, but you’re welcome as observers):

• Fruit grafting: Citrus-late November; temperate fruits - Jan/Feb, June/July, Sept; tropical fruits - Feb/March.
• Beekeeping: late Sept to late Nov; March to May.
• Weaving: on-going throughout the year.
• Nursery establishment: Nov (citrus and temperate fruit); Feb - April (other).
• Nursery operation: on-going throughout the year.
• Plantation establishment: May/June; Jan/Feb (winter monsoon - cuttings, temperate fruit).
• Vegetable production: on-going throughout the year.
• Green manures: March to October (higher altitudes); throughout the year (below 3000').

Size of groups. For the moment, the JPP can’t handle more than 3 volunteers at a time, on one project. This is firstly for administrative and logistical reasons (i.e. beyond present capacity), but also because the impact of greater number of foreigners in these areas, however well-meaning, which are not regular tourist routes or otherwise frequented by many non-local visitors, has not yet been assessed. Such an assessment will be on-going, and any increase in numbers would be gradual and appropriate with the response of the villagers,

Obtain a visa for Nepal before you leave. If you plan to travel to India as part of your visit, get your Indian visa too.

The first month’s visa is US$30, for 60 days, $60. You can get up to 60 days upon arrival at the airport (payable in US$) Visa extensions are easily available in KTM for periods of 30 days @ $1 a day (payable in rupees). You can stay up to 120 days in a calander year, with another 30 days upon ‘special approval’, JPP can provide a letter for this or you can show an onward ticket. You would need a tourist visa, as the small scale nature of the programmes means we do not have the status required to obtain non-tourist visas. You may be, however, able to arrange this via an institution in your own country, for example Fellowbrite Scholarships, or certain Universities which run programmes in Nepal. We would be happy to provide you with a letter of support to help with this. One idea is to come for the last 5 months of one year (Aug-Dec) and the first 5 of the next (Jan-May). You may have, or want, to break this up by spending some time in India (we have contacts on PC projects & farms).

In KTM, JPP can provide (very) basic accommodation while staying here - you are welcome to help out at the JPP SUNRISE FARM in SITA PAILA (see map). Here is a chance to get over jet lag and become quickly introduced to and involved with Permaculture programmes in Nepal.

For volunteers staying for extended periods of time, language instruction can be arranged on request, costing $100-200. For the real professionals, research assistants (who can also act as translators/ language instructors) can be arranged, who may charge between $100-200 per month + travel and food.

A minimum of four weeks in the field is recommended , so with travel, orientation, etc. at least six weeks should be allowed for a fulfilling time. Any time in addition to this is a bonus both to you and the programmes.

Travel costs. Flights to Nepalganj, $99; bus $4; Bus to Surkhet $5. Unless you fly, costs to visit other programmes in Nepal can range from $2 to $10. Flights range from $40-120 (one way). Travel to India ranges from $5-15 (bus/train) and $70-$250 (plane).

Project costs. A donation is requested towards food and lodging provided on all sitesof US$3 per day (NRs200/-). This includes 2 meals per day, the odd cup of tea, basic accommodation. This really is basic, and will be traditional, on working farms or with associated farming families. Programmes are constantly stretched in terms of person power and budgets, however, and any donations you or you own support group are able to make will be well used. If you have funding connections, we can provide you with project details and budgets of programmes requiring support. This may include projects which you are particularly interested to work with, or even start.

Things to bring (these may be available in Kathmandu)

• torch, candles, raincoat/umbrella, thongs, hat,water purifier/iodine, sturdy water bottle, Nepalese phrase book, tampons/pads, toilet paper (optional).
• Big/snack eaters may like to bring snacky stuff - meusli, porridge, etc
• Seeds, relevent books, magazines, posters, etc.

On arrival in Kathmandu

Contact the JPP office (tel: 270466) to touch base & state your intentions e.g. do you want to stay at the farm, go to Surkhet or whatever. Connections will be made & advice given

Jajarkot

note: Jajarkot has been out of bounds since 1996 due to Maoist terrorist insurgency. The programme is still running but it is unadvisable for foreigners to visit. Since June 1998 the govt. has officially closed the border of the district.

Surkhet(Gumi),

From KTM take the Surkhet bus which is overnight (leaves KTM about 3pm). Get down at Chhinchhu, about an hour short of Surkhet (Birendranagar) and take the Botechaur/Salli Bazaar bus. Get down at Jare (45 mins from Chhinchhu), and ask the way to Gumi. Cross the Bheri river on a footbridge, and then another hour’s walk to Gumi. Here, ask for the Grihasthashram (JPP) farm or Mr Regmi’s house, and you’ll be shown the way. From Nepalganj you can also get the Botechaur bus (it takes about 5 hours) - don’t change at Chhinchhu but still get down at Jare.

‘Phone Gumi/Nepalganj when you know you’re going to arrive - If in doubt, ask a Nepali friend to do the talking for you. In Gumi the farm has its own phone - 083 29313, and the Nepalganj office/appartment is 081 22389.

Travel light as possible. Take a good first aid kit, plasters; you can get many regular medicines locally. Torch, water bottle, water purification system (iodine or whatever). You won’t need a tent or massive walking boots. If you’re walking, take a friend - or a porter who will carry your sack too ! (a porter to Jajarkot from Tulsipur, for example, should cost about 100/- a day, plus food & lodging - about 500/- to 700/- max. for a round trip). JPP staff may be travelling between working areas, such as between Surkhet & Jajarkot

At all sites, you’re free to join in with whatever work is going on. Staff may be loathe to show you what work needs doing, but don’t be afraid to insist ..... join in !

The JPP can arrange for fooding and lodging anywhere in their areas once you’re there. A fee of 150/- per day is charged which will cover food (2 meals, plus teas) and lodging, and a donation to the work.

Visitors arriving in Jajarkot are expected to register at the Police headquarters there.

Other contact numbers:

JPP Gumi Farm (Surkhet)
Tel. 083 29313

Nepalganj Office/Apartment
Tel. 081 22389

Sita Paila Farm, Kathmandu
Farm Manager Shyam Shrestha
Tel: 272167

Chris/Maiya Evans, Kathmandu office/appartment: 270466

Happy travels !