Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship in Nepal faces both promise and pressure. While the country is rich in natural resources, cultural craft, and local ingenuity, most rural communities struggle to turn ideas into enterprises. Barriers like limited market access, poor infrastructure, lack of technical skills, and high dependency on imports make it difficult for small-scale entrepreneurs to thrive. Youth often migrate abroad seeking better opportunities, leaving behind untapped potential and abandoned villages.
At IRD, we are bridging this gap by building ventures that are rooted in community, sustainability, and innovation. Through our Work Root Ventures initiative, we support rural entrepreneurs by launching low-cost, locally adapted solutions like KrishiMitra, Aaditya (hybrid dryers), Kutir (guest stays), and Seed Banks. We also run entrepreneurship camps, provide technical training, and support local production under our Aatmanirbhar movement—helping communities generate income, reduce imports, and build self-reliance from the ground up.
Work Root Ventures
Root Ventures drives innovation in agriculture through tech-powered solutions like KrishiMitra, an AI and IoT-enabled platform that empowers smallholder farmers with real-time advisory, smart soil testing, weather alerts, quality inputs, and direct market access. By integrating precision farming, education, and sustainability, our ventures aim to build a productive, resilient, and future-ready agricultural ecosystem in Nepal.
Our Vision
KrishiMitra envisions a future where every farmer in Nepal has access to technology-driven solutions that increase productivity, enhance crop quality, and ensure food security. By bridging the gap between farmers, technology, and markets, we aim to create a digitally empowered and environmentally sustainable agricultural ecosystem
AI-Powered Mobile App & Farmer Helpline
- A comprehensive digital platform connecting farmers with real-time weather updates, crop advisory services, and market insights.
- Farmer helplines offering expert guidance on pest control, soil health, and best farming practices.
- E-learning resources with video tutorials, expert Q&A sessions, and local success stories to promote agro-education.
Timely Weather Updates & Helpline Services
- Weather alerts sent via text messages, helping farmers prepare for changing conditions.
- Farmers can call our helpline to receive real-time weather forecasts and farming recommendations.
Precision Agriculture with AI & IoT Sensors
- Solar-powered IoT sensors installed on farms continuously monitor soil health, moisture levels, and crop conditions.
- AI-powered pest and disease detection technology sends alerts to farmers with targeted solutions.
- Satellite data integration provides farmers with climate-smart insights, helping them optimize water and fertilizer usage.
Soil Health Monitoring & Annual Soil Check-up Camps
- Collection and analysis of farm and soil data through affordable sensor technology and nearby soil test agencies.
- Annual soil check-up camps providing farmers with personalized and actionable recommendations for improved crop growth.
- Reducing guesswork in farm input usage by offering data-driven recommendations for fertilizers, irrigation, and crop rotation.
Market Access & Direct Sales
- Connecting farmers directly with local markets, reducing dependency on middlemen.
- Facilitating direct sales of surplus produce through the KrishiMitra app, ensuring fair prices for farmers.
- Empowering farmers to become self-reliant and financially independent by accessing local and national markets.
IRD Seed Bank
Preserving Biodiversity, Empowering Farmers
The IRD Seed Bank is an initiative focused on protecting Nepal’s agricultural biodiversity and empowering local farmers through access to high-quality, locally adapted seeds. In many rural areas, traditional and indigenous seed varieties are rapidly disappearing due to market-driven monoculture and lack of preservation mechanisms.
Through community partnerships, research, and farmer engagement, IRD collects, stores, and redistributes seeds that are resilient, diverse, and well-suited to Nepal’s varied climatic zones. The seed bank aims to ensure food security, support climate-resilient farming, and reduce dependency on commercial seed imports.
By creating decentralized seed networks and training farmers in seed saving, IRD is building a more sustainable and self-reliant agricultural ecosystem.
Our Vision
IRD Seed Bank is more than just a seed distribution center—it is a sustainable initiative to empower farmers, improve crop yields, and promote agricultural resilience. We believe that quality seeds lead to better harvests, and by making them accessible and affordable, we are directly contributing to the economic well-being of farmers and food security in Nepal.
Key Features
Conservation of indigenous and climate-resilient seed varieties to preserve Nepal’s agricultural biodiversity.
Distribution of high-quality seeds to farmers across diverse ecological zones based on suitability and performance.
Training programs on seed saving, storage, and community seed exchange practices to promote self-reliance.
Partnership with local governments, cooperatives, and research institutes to strengthen seed networks.
Improving food security by reducing dependency on imported or genetically modified seeds.
Kutir Initiative
Transforming Abandoned Homes into Affordable Guest Stays
Nepal’s breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality make it an unparalleled destination for travelers. However, safe, affordable, and locally immersive accommodations remain a challenge, especially in rural areas. At the same time, many homes in villages and hillsides lie abandoned as families migrate to cities and abroad. Kutir—a term that signifies a simple, small dwelling for seekers and wanderers—aims to bridge this gap by converting these abandoned houses into low-cost cabins and guest stays.
Identifying & Restoring Abandoned Homes
- We partner with homeowners who have left their village homes vacant and sign seasonal leases.
Affordable Guest Stays
- These homes are converted into simple, minimal but essential stays, preserving their original charm and local character.
Safe & Convenient for Travelers
- Kutir provides affordable, secure spaces for trekkers and travelers looking for authentic rural experiences.
Key Features
Revitalize unused village homes into comfortable, sustainable, and enriching stays for travelers.
Promote local tourism through safe, budget-friendly accommodations in rural Nepal.
Support local economies by generating income for homeowners, artisans, and service providers.
Encourage deeper cultural exchanges between visitors and local communities.
Aaditya- Solar Dehydrator
A Low-Cost Solar + Electric Dryer for Sustainable Food Preservation
In Nepal’s villages, drying vegetables and herbs has long been a tradition to ensure food availability during off-seasons. However, traditional sun-drying is unreliable due to changing weather conditions. In regions like the Terai, prolonged fog causes fungus, leading to spoilage and food waste. Farmers often struggle to preserve enough produce for off-season needs.
To tackle this, IRD’s Aaditya team is developing a hybrid solar + electric dryer that enables villagers to dry food efficiently and affordably. By combining renewable energy with accessibility, Aaditya aims to increase food security, reduce waste, and improve rural resilience.
Our Vision
Aaditya bridges the gap between traditional food preservation techniques and modern technology, giving rural communities a reliable way to dry and store food year-round. By leveraging both solar and electric power, Aaditya boosts food resilience, cuts losses, and strengthens livelihoods in Nepal’s villages.
Dual-Powered Drying
- Uses solar energy when available and switches to electricity as backup, ensuring uninterrupted drying regardless of weather.
Preserves Nutritional Value
- Dries vegetables, herbs, and food items efficiently and hygienically, minimizing spoilage while retaining nutrients.
Affordable & Accessible
- Engineered to be budget-friendly and easy to use, so it’s practical for widespread rural adoption.
Sustainable & Scalable
- Reduces food waste, improves food security, and supports local entrepreneurship in food preservation.
Aatmanirbhar Initiative
Empowering Self-Reliance Through Local Production
Nepal’s villages are rich in natural resources, from local herbs, vegetation, bamboo, and straw to flowers and forests. However, despite this abundance, the country continues to struggle with a massive import-to-export imbalance, making it economically vulnerable. To build a sustainable and secure economic ecosystem, we must move away from the comfort of excessive consumerism—buying everything instead of creating what we can locally.
The Aatmanirbhar Initiative is IRD’s campaign to promote self-reliance by harnessing these local raw materials and encouraging rural communities to produce essential goods at the local level. The Aatmanirbhar Initiative is more than just a production campaign—it is a movement to inspire rural communities to take control of their economic future, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance.
Key Features
Reduce dependency on imports and strengthen Nepal’s economy.
Generate income opportunities for villagers.
Promote healthier, natural alternatives to industrially processed goods.
Foster a culture of self-sufficiency and sustainability.
What We Can Produce Locally
- Incense sticks from local flowers
- Bamboo crafts and household items
- Herbal toothpaste and neem-stick toothbrushes
- Natural cosmetics and essential and herbal oils
- Homemade pickles and dry vegetables
- Organic colors for festivals and art
- Paapad and other traditional food items
- Straw mats and handmade textiles