Karnali Ratna
Oda Foundation’s social enterprise program Karnali Ratna is designed to promote economic mobility for vulnerable populations and decrease long-term reliance on foreign donations. Our efforts are grounded in local skills and needs and amplify the voices of those who have been left behind
Empowering Kalikot’s women with agriculture and skills.
Our agriculture program, run by a community of six single mothers, breaks the cycles imposed on women in Kalikot: illiteracy, few ways to make a living, early or child marriage, and social stigma that pushes widows to the margin.
Through farming and local businesses, in partnership with the Mahabai Women’s Cooperative, these women earn their own income and have become leaders in their community, both financially and as integrated community members.
The products produced through Karnali Ratna have been packaged and are sold now across Western Nepal
Addressing food insecurity with an agricultural enterprise, Karnali Ratna has produced 10,000+ pounds of tomatoes, carrots, radishes, garlic, squashes, cauliflower, chillies and cabbages in the community.
Exploring Additional Enterprises
Karnali Ratna generates 2000 liters of milk / year from water buffaloes, plus sales from a poultry farm. Our Jeep business runs from Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Manma, capitalizing on ongoing transport between these areas.
Oda Foundation Campus Training Ground
Oda Foundation’s campus hosts government and NGO trainings from across the region. We have two completed cottages, two under construction, and 10 additional sleeping spaces—ideal for medium-sized teams to connect in a pristine mountain setting. Revenue from campus use directly supports our programs in health, education, and livelihoods.
Karnali Ratna Mission
- Support the Foundation’s operations through sustainable revenue generation
- Increase local livelihoods that actionably impact challenges such as untouchability, patriarchy, menstrual taboos, domestic violence, illiteracy and food scarcity
- Empower long lasting change through permaculture philosophies, job opportunities, and stable incomes
Karnali Ratna actively advocates for women and places power in their hands.
70+ community women, so far, have joined the Cooperative to have opportunities in self-sufficient agriculture. Karnali Ratna also provides new employment opportunities to women in our community.
Interested?
Learn more about how you can be part of creating a more sustainable Oda community. Reach out at info@odafoundation.org. We would love to hear from you.
