Who We Are?

TARAI INDIGENOUS PEOPLES & MARGINALIZED GROUPS DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH COUNCIL (TIP-MGDRC)

A non-governmental organization dedicated to the livelihood, health, disaster risk reduction, and well-being of poor Indigenous and marginalized Nepalese people.

Our Focus Areas

TIP-MGDRC prioritizes:

• Food security, income generation, healthcare, and human dignity
• Children, women, Indigenous, and marginalized communities
• Holistic development goals for a transformed, interdependent society
• Inclusive development regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion

🖼 Visual: Image of TIP-MGDRC’s fieldwork with Indigenous communities.

Rooted in the Terai: An Indigenous-Led Movement

We are not just an organization; we are a movement led by Indigenous farmers and community leaders from Nepal’s Terai region.

The Terai region is our home—our land, our culture, and our identity. As Indigenous Tharu and other marginalized groups, we have inherited centuries-old agricultural knowledge that respects the land, nurtures biodiversity, and sustains our communities.

💡 What Makes Indigenous Farming in the Terai Unique?

• Deep ecological knowledge → Farming based on natural cycles and biodiversity.
• Community-driven practices → Cooperatives, seed-sharing, and collective farming.
• Regenerative techniques → Soil restoration, multi-cropping, and water conservation.

🖼 Visual: Map highlighting Terai in Nepal.

Our Mission: Preserving Indigenous Farming & Building a Sustainable Future

📍 We are protecting our land, our seeds, and our future.

Our mission is to empower Indigenous farmers through regenerative agriculture, advocacy, and sustainable economic practices. We work to:

• Fund & support indigenous-led, self-sufficient, profitable farms
• Preserve heirloom seeds & traditional practices
• Develop high quality organic liquid & solid composts
• Advocate for indigenous land & farming rights
• Build a network of social enterprise farms

→ (Links to « Our Mission » page)

Our Founding Story: From Local Farms to a National Movement

📍 From a single farm in Terai to a nationwide initiative.

Founded with 11 members, TIP-MGDRC officially registered with:

• The District Administration Office, Saptari (December 16, 2020)
• The Social Welfare Council (December 24, 2020)
• Membership with the NGO Federation, Saptari

The NGO Headquarter is in Aginsair Krishnasawaran Rural Municipality, Nayabasti, Basantapur, Saptari, Madhesh Province, Nepal. Since its inception, TIP-MGDRC has partnered with Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), UN agencies (UNESCO, UNDP in Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO Bangkok), and international organizations.

🖼 Visual: Timeline graphic from 2020 registration to present impact.

Meet Our Team: Indigenous Leadership & Experts

Our leadership team consists of Indigenous farmers, sustainability experts, and grassroots community leaders, bridging traditional knowledge with modern innovation.

💡 Key Team Members:

• Sudarshan Chaudhary → Founder, Agroecological Expert, Tharu Farmer.
• [Other key Indigenous leaders & mentors]
• Field Coordinators → On-the-ground trainers working with farmers.

🖼 Visual: Team photo grid.

Why Our Indigenous-Led Approach Matters

📍 We are not an external organization. We are our own solution.

Unlike international NGOs that impose solutions from the outside, TIP-MGDRC is Indigenous-led, ensuring that:

• Solutions are community-driven → Farmers shape their own future.
• Traditional knowledge is preserved → Not erased by modern agribusiness.
• Economic benefits stay within Indigenous communities → Strengthening rural autonomy.

🖼 Visual: Infographic comparing top-down NGO models vs. grassroots Indigenous-led models.

Join Us: Be Part of the Movement

📍 Whether you are a farmer, a funder, or an advocate—there’s a role for you in this journey.

💚 The future of Indigenous farming depends on collective action. You can help us build sustainable farms, preserve heirloom seeds, and fight for Indigenous farming rights.

• [Partner With Us] → For funders & organizations.
• [Join as a Farmer] → For Indigenous farmers in Nepal.
• [Stay Connected] → Subscribe for updates & impact stories.

🖼 Visual: Call-to-action buttons for funders & farmers.