In the hills and mountains of Nepal, poor farmers struggle to grow crops on small plots of land using basic farming methods. Now climate change is increasing the vulnerability of these already marginalised people. Devastating floods are washing away crops and homes; droughts prevent farmers from growing enough food; landslides threaten their lives as they struggle to earn a living; and forests are being cut down for firewood, exacerbating the negative impacts of climate change.

iDE will train 1000 small-scale farmers to grow flood and drought resistant plants like camomile, which they can sell to local distillation plants that extract essential oils from the plants, which are sold for use in cosmetics, medicine and aromatherapy. Farmers can use profits for better education and healthcare, and nutritious foods. Additionally, farmers will be motivated to protect the forests from which they earn incomes, positively impacting on the environment and preserving the forests.