Gardening drives lasting dietary habits in Nepal’s earthquake-devasted areas through hands-on education and behavioural nudges for real change.
Insufficient vegetable intake in Nepal poses significant nutritional challenges: only 1.1% of adults meet the WHO-recommended 400g of daily fruit and vegetable consumption (Frank et al., 2019). Among children under two in Kathmandu Valley, 25% of their calories come from unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks (Pries et al., 2019). The consequences are alarming: 32% of adolescents experience stunted growth, while 21% of adolescent girls are anemic (Headey & Hoddinott, 2015).
These dietary gaps are exacerbated by poor access to nutritious foods and a lack of knowledge about sustainable eating practices, thereby underscoring the need for targeted interventions that address both behaviour and systemic barriers.
A previous study by Schreinemachers et al. (2017a) demonstrated that school gardens significantly enhanced children’s knowledge and preferences for vegetables. However, the study found that these programs fell short in creating sustainable dietary habits. Building on these findings, Pepijn Schreinemachers led a follow-up initiative integrating school and home-based gardens as a way to foster deeper and longer lasting impacts.
In Sindhupalchok District—a region heavily impacted by earthquakes and an influx of junk food—schools have offered nutritional education alongside practical resources like fencing and land preparation. Seasonal vegetable seeds, such as eggplant and broccoli, were distributed for both school and home gardens. Caregivers received training in gardening techniques and nutrition, covering composting and crop rotation. Additionally, teachers provided weekly home visits to encourage garden maintenance and the incorporation of fresh produce into meals.
The result: Healthy food practices rose by 5.2%, and children’s vegetable consumption increased significantly: 15.1% in Q2, 25.9% in Q3, and 25.5% in Q4. Families diversified their home garden produce, caregivers gained knowledge in nutrition and agriculture, and children developed healthier snacking habits.
This initiative highlights the importance of combining education, access, and behavioural nudges to tackle structural challenges. By involving schools, caregivers and children, the program delivered sustainable dietary changes and demonstrated the potential for scaling nationwide.
The government of Nepal is now planning to expand this intervention to foster healthier diets among schoolchildren across the country.
Do you know of any other nudges that promote healthy and sustainable nutrition? Feel free to comment or get in touch: hello@green-nudges.com
From Alejandro Weber González, a behavioural scientist and research consultant with experience in academic and industry settings. Alejandro specialises in understanding the mechanisms behind human behaviour to design effective, evidence-based interventions.
A brief message after selecting a plant-based lunch nudges meal kit customers to choose less meat at dinner.