Background:
In Nepal’s rural setting, women—especially single women—are still deprived of many opportunities due to social, economic, and familial reasons. These women often live under multiple layers of struggle and lack even the most basic income-generating opportunities. One of the core objectives of The Lead Nepal is to empower these women by revealing their potential, skills, and confidence so they can live a dignified life within society.
Although many women are skilled in domestic tasks, there has been little effort to transform these abilities into income-generating skills through small enterprises. To address this gap, The Lead Nepal, with financial support from Ward Office No. 4 of Birendranagar, Surkhet, organized a Pickle-Making Training Program under the Single Women Income Generation Initiative. The goal was to provide women with a practical skill that they can use from home to generate income.
The five-day training held from Jestha 25 to 29, 2082 (June 7–11, 2025) included 20 single women from Ward No. 4. It aimed to motivate them toward self-reliance, entrepreneurial thinking, and self-employment. By turning traditional household knowledge—like pickle making—into a business opportunity, the training opened new income possibilities. Participants refined their traditional methods and demonstrated teamwork and collaboration.
The training conveyed that the art of making homemade organic pickles is more than just a skill—it can become a source of self-employment, confidence, and identity. The organizers believe that such skill-based programs will contribute to women’s empowerment, build self-reliance, and help generate local employment.
Location, Date, and Duration
- Location: Kalu Chowk, Birendranagar-4, Surkhet
- Date: From 2082/02/25 to 2082/02/29 (corresponds to June 7–11, 2025)
- Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Duration: 5 days
Participants
This pickle-making training program under the Single Women Income Generation Initiative included single women residing permanently in Ward No. 4 of Birendranagar Municipality.
A total of 20 women participated in the training program.
Objectives
- To encourage single women toward self-employment and self-reliance.
- To promote economic participation through women’s empowerment.
- To develop a sense of leadership, confidence, and cooperation.
- To equip participants with the skills to make homemade organic pickles and enable them to start small-scale businesses.
Methodology
- The training was practical and hands-on in nature. Participants learned every step themselves—from preparing raw ingredients to packaging and managing the entire process.
- The trainer conducted the sessions in a step-by-step format, teaching the pickle-making process while interacting with the participants throughout.
Training Module
This 5-day training provided both theoretical and practical knowledge of the entire pickle-making process, from ingredient preparation to packaging and branding. Each day focused on different learning themes and hands-on practice:
Day 1: Inauguration, Introduction to Materials, and Hygiene
- Formal inauguration of the training
- Introduction to necessary ingredients for pickle making
- Importance of hygiene and safety practices in the kitchen
- Practice of preparation steps before making pickles
Day 2: Initial Phase of Pickle Preparation
- Cutting techniques for garlic, ginger, chili, mango, carrot, and bell pepper
- Sun-drying process of ingredients
- Practice of drying using clean and safe methods
Day 3: Pickle-Making Techniques and Spice Preparation
- Roasting and grinding of spices like coriander, fenugreek, cumin, fennel, etc.
- Method of mixing ingredients for mango pickle
- Managing temperature and cooking time
- Tips to enhance flavor using household methods
Day 4: Pickle-Making Practice and Packaging
- Complete process of making mango pickle
- Practice of preparing mixed pickles
- Hygiene during packaging, material selection, and collection
- Introduction to branding concepts for local markets
Day 5: Special Focus on Meat Pickle, Evaluation, and Closing
- Skills for cutting, roasting, and grinding meat
- Special method of making meat pickle
- Review of all produced pickles and participant evaluation
- Basic knowledge on branding, label design, and packaging
- Closing ceremony, distribution of certificates, and sharing of experiences
Materials Used
The following materials were used during the pickle-making training:
• Raw Ingredients: Garlic, ginger, sour fruits, bell pepper, chili, mango, carrot, green chili.
• Spices: Fenugreek, red chili, cumin, coriander, mustard, rapeseed, mixed spices (garam masala), bay leaves, etc.
• Others: Cooking oil, jars, packaging materials, and various kitchen utensils.
Participant Feedback:
At the end of the training, the feedback collected from participating women was very encouraging. The 5-day practical training not only imparted new skills but also developed confidence, self-reliance, and entrepreneurial spirit among them. Participants shared that the training content was very useful and practical. They especially appreciated the hands-on learning approach, the friendly attitude of the trainers, the easy availability of required materials, and the collaborative group environment.
Some women said they learned how to make pickles for the first time, while others expressed that they had gained confidence to use their existing knowledge in a more structured and professional manner.
Many participants mentioned that the training inspired them to think beyond their kitchen boundaries. The thought that “now pickle-making skills can become a source of income” sparked new hope. Some even revealed plans to start a pickle-making group immediately after the training. Others considered starting home delivery services or selling at local markets. One participant shared, “This training made me realize that I can do something — I can be self-reliant.”
The mutual relationships, cooperation, and collective learning environment also made the training more effective. Each day, the women came to training with new energy, motivation, and enthusiasm. Sharing and learning together turned the training into an inspiring journey. Overall, the pickle-making training successfully enhanced the participants’ confidence and skills, and they were eager to apply the knowledge in real life. The journey now moves toward entrepreneurship.
Key Achievements:
• The participating women learned the entire pickle-making process through hands-on practice.
• There was a significant increase in confidence and the mindset of becoming self-reliant.
• Participants developed ideas to start pickle businesses in the future.
• The training presented a truly effective example of women’s empowerment.
Problems and Challenges:
• Due to the heat, raw sun-dried ingredients were prone to spoilage quickly.
• Difficulties arose while conducting entrepreneurship development activities.
Solutions:
• Prepare all necessary materials in advance and ensure timely sun-drying to prevent spoilage.
• To boost participants’ motivation, allocate enough time, form groups based on age, and conduct interactive sessions with examples.
Conclusion:
The 5-day pickle-making training under the Single Women Income Generation Program not only served as a means to impart new skills to single women but also inspired them to move forward with confidence, self-reliance, and a sense of social entrepreneurship. Throughout the training, the women consistently participated with their time, energy, and dedication — eager to learn and share their knowledge. Daily practice, group discussions, creative experimentation, and efforts to add variety in taste opened the door to entrepreneurial possibilities. The participants viewed the training not just as a learning center, but also as an opportunity to share experiences, build new friendships, and develop a spirit of collective support.
The single women who participated now want to move beyond just acquiring skills and transform pickle production into a potential source of income and business, with support from government bodies. The most significant achievement of this training lies in their positive change in mindset, increased confidence, and practical skill development.
The Lead Nepal organization remains committed to continuing such practical, entrepreneurship-focused, and inclusive programs for women’s empowerment in the future. Wishing all the participant sisters success in their journeys ahead, we officially declare the successful completion of this training.
