True North Associates launches Agricultural Lending Manual

KATHMANDU: True North Associates launched an Agricultural Lending Manual on Thursday, a comprehensive guide designed to strengthen and support agricultural financing in Nepal.

The launch event was attended by representatives from leading commercial banks, development banks, and financial institutions in Nepal, alongside members of the Nepal Banking Institute and the agri-business community. The event convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including development sector experts and professionals from organisations dedicated to advancing Nepal’s agricultural industry. Among the distinguished attendees were representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNCDF, World Food Programme (WFP), International Finance Corporation (IFC), German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), JICA, FCA, DAI Global, and Heifer International.  

The manual was officially launched by Kumar Lamsal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Banking Institute. Also present at the event were Suman Joshi, Chairperson of True North Associates; Sanjay Karki, Country Director at Swisscontact; Cécile Rivière, Programme Manager for Employment and Income at the Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal; and Reema Shrestha, Team Leader at NAMDP Phase II, Swisscontact. The document is now publicly available and can be accessed via the True North Associates website.  

The Agri-Lending Manual 2025 was developed under Sahaj – the Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme, a bilateral initiative of the governments of Switzerland and Nepal. The programme is implemented by Swisscontact as the lead agency in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED).  

A representative from True North Associates stated that the manual serves as a dynamic resource, providing practical insights and methodologies for assessing credit risks specific to the agricultural sector. It also offers strategies for monitoring risks and ensuring responsible lending practices.  

True North Associates highlighted that the manual’s development was a collaborative and participatory effort, involving key stakeholders and technical agricultural experts. The organisation plans to support its long-term sustainability through a Learning Management System, currently in development.  

Established in 2014, True North Associates is a pioneering private equity and venture capital firm. To date, the company has made 14 investments and successfully completed six exits.