Position of agriculture in nepal

Nepal is an agro-based country whose 70% citizen still relies on the agriculture as the major source of income. Even though majority of the citizens have occupation as farmer, many of them don't even possess their own land i.e. needless to say they are landless. Agriculture is that factor field which is most responsible for economic growth in our country. Till 2006 agriculture itself held 39.5% of the total economy while looking into the indicator of G.D.P. This means still now agricultural sector covers more than one third of the total national economy. If only we could concentrate upon the new approaches for systematic and scientific agricultural system then our national economy growth would reach a greater height. This would ultimately solve the poor economic condition of our citizens and later prosperity would prevail.

There has always been much neglect regarding the agricultural sector for ages. Realization of better country's economy with prosperous agricultural sector is there but unwillingness to act upon it is a problem. Farmers of more than 60% of the fertile land have unheard the irrigation facility yet and still depend upon rain water for cultivation. Lack of proper education or training, farmers apply same old fashioned way of farming that yields less than that with new techniques. Some where fertilizers are used in excess manner whereas some where they are insufficient. Management of the harvested crop has been one of the prominent problems for the farmers. If there be no market there would be no sell which ultimately leads to no economic gain. Orchards of Humla and Jumla are inaccessible for the people of Kathmandu due to no proper transportation facility resulting to rotting of those products. Some farmers don't have lands for their own to cultivate whereas some have unlimited lands that are left barren. Thus, there happens to be many problems in the agricultural sector that had to be addressed by the government.

Budget for fiscal year 2063/64 was announced last year. It was expected that this budget would make every citizens of Nepal believe that they are really in different and new stage than before. New and prosperous life would be entertained by people of new Nepal; addressing would be done by the new government especially for deprived groups, regions or sectors, but the dream went wrong. Neither was there any provision for revolution in land services nor was there any new approach for betterment of the sector and people. Only indirectly affecting factors had been introduced that would just touch the hair of agriculture. This act have really outspoken a bitter truth that the country had never been serious towards this sector before and would never be better in future if the budget follows the same trend. Thus, it does suffice to say that the budget has totally excluded agricultural sector for this year.

Why has this unfair act been seen or felt by the majority of the citizens? Answer lies within the concept of globalization and liberalization which has been tried to be introduced in our country as well. But with the fact that the country has many poor people than rich, globalization in the present context would be lethal for our country; this would only make our economic condition more and more worse by making greater and greater barrier between rich and poor which might burst like it did in people's war for 12 years. Until and unless majority of the citizens become capable of having access to each and every basic facilities, striking the right or core point i.e. revolution in agricultural system has to be considered seriously. Then only our country will have greater breakthrough in economic growth and who knows it might reclaim its pride of once being one of the prosperous countries in the world.


Hence, budget has to be reconsidered and a reform in agriculture and better provisions has to substitute other vague and less important sectors.

Nepal - Agriculture

Agriculture in Nepal has long been based on subsistence farming, particularly in the hilly regions where peasants derive their living from fragmented plots of land cultivated in difficult conditions. Government programs to introduce irrigation facilities and fertilizers have proved inadequate, their delivery hampered by the mountainous terrain. Population increases and environmental degradation have ensured that the minimal gains in agricultural production, owing more to the extension of arable land than to improvements in farming practices, have been cancelled out. Once an exporter of rice, Nepal now has a food deficit.

Over 80 percent of the population is involved in agriculture, which constitutes 41 percent of GDP. The seasonal nature of farming leads to widespread underemployment, but programs to grow cash crops and encourage cottage industries have had some success over the years. Two-sevenths of the total land is cultivated, of which 1.5 million hectares produced 3.7 million metric tons of the staple crop of rice in 1999. Wheat and maize together take up a similar portion of the available land, with harvests of 1 million metric tons and 1.5 million metric tons, respectively, in 1999. Production of cash crops increased substantially in the 1970s, and sugarcane, oil-seed, tobacco, and potatoes (a staple food in some areas) were the major crops. Agricultural production accounted for about three-fourths of total exports in the late 1980s. As noted earlier, most exports consist of primary agricultural produce which goes to India. In general the majority of Nepalese farmers are subsistence farmers and do not export surplus; this does not prevent a minority in the fertile southern Tarai region from being able to do so. Most of the country is mountainous, and there are pockets of food-deficit areas. The difficulties of transportation make it far easier to export across the border to India than to transport surplus to remote mountain regions within Nepal. A considerable livestock population of cattle, goats, and poultry exists, but the quality is poor and produces insufficient food for local needs.

Government efforts to boost the agricultural economy have focused on easing dependence on weather conditions, increasing productivity, and diversifying the range of crops for local consumption, export, and industrial inputs. Solutions have included the deployment of irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and improved seed varieties, together with credit provision, technical advice, and limited mechanization. This has had some effect. Land under irrigation increased from 6,200 hectares in 1956 to 583,000 hectares in 1990. The use of chemical fertilizers, introduced in the 1950s, climbed to about 47,000 metric tons by 1998. Still, the weather continues to determine good and bad years for the average farmer. On a national scale, while production of both food and cash crops grew annually by 2.4 percent from 1974 to 1989, population increased at a rate of 2.6 percent over the same period.

Increased agricultural activity has placed tremendous stress on the fragile ecosystems of the mountains, with severe deforestation leading to erosion and flooding that threatens the livelihoods of farmers throughout the country. In the rush to open up arable land in the early years of development, Nepal lost half its forest cover in the space of 3 decades. Government plans to maintain cover at 37 percent depend on the success of community forestry programs, which merge traditional and modern agro-forestry and conservation practices. Responsibility is placed in the hands of Forest User Groups, which included almost 800,000 households in 1999.

A potent issue is that of land reform. Before 1950, a feudal system held sway. Land ownership was concentrated in the hands of landlords who contracted out to tenant farmers. Increased productivity may have been suppressed by such a system. Even though the legal mechanisms for land reform (such as placing limits on the amount of land owned) do exist, in practice most farmers still have pitifully small holdings. Predictably, land reform has been the mandate of every political party in Nepal, particularly the communists.

Nepal: Priorities for Agriculture and Rural Development

The central challenge for rural development in Nepal is to shift from a subsistence to a commercial economy in an environment characterized by widespread and day-to-day insecurity and violence.

Agriculture is the principal source of food, income, and employment for the majority, particularly the poorest. Growth in agriculture is, therefore, crucial for reducing poverty, and preliminary findings from the National Living Standards Survey indicate that despite the insurgency, the sector has made a significant contribution to poverty reduction.

However, agriculture is largely based on low-value cereals and subsistence production, with a mere 13 percent of output traded in markets. The sector’s current 40 percent share in national GDP is declining, although there is considerable scope for increasing productivity and value-added.

Despite an increasing reliance on remittances from laborers abroad, the absence of economic opportunities outside subsistence agriculture keeps most Nepalese poor, and is widely cited as a factor in the current Maoist insurgency in rural areas, which further limits prospects for development, causing a vicious cycle of poverty in rural areas.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Conflict:  Widespread violent conflict and the inability of the Government to enforce law in most of its territory have severely limited both development efforts and the delivery of public services. Only projects that rely on decentralized approaches, using civil society and NGOs, seem to be able to function. Political uncertainty creates doubts about the prospects for national development.

Obstacles to commercialization of agriculture:  A mountainous terrain and poorly developed road network restrict access to markets, constraining agricultural growth and diversification into higher value added and non-farm activities. Weak and poorly integrated institutions and inadequate technical support for supply chain development have further limited marketing opportunities. The 1995 Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP) to increase agricultural productivity through irrigation, fertilizer use, infrastructure and technology was not fully implemented. However, The recent National Agricultural Policy, which updates the APP, places commercialization, private sector-led development, and trade at the forefront of the development agenda.

The trade challenge:   Nepal ’s recent entry into the WTO presents opportunities, alongside formidable challenges to meet food safety rules, animal health regulations, and quality standards, together with re-evaluating domestic support programs, price controls, and competitive advantage. Nepal ’s location between the two largest countries in the world presents both a blessing and a curse. Subsidies in India ’s agricultural sector mean that Nepal ’s Terai region faces competition with Indian cereal production. However, the diversity of Nepal ’s agro-ecological zones is promising for exports of off-season horticulture, niche products, and non-timber forest products like medicinal plants. Organic production is practiced by default in Nepal , but such produce cannot currently be certified to meet international standards and price premiums.

Inefficient exploitation of water resources:   Despite significant expansion in the 1990s, Nepal has not reached its irrigation potential. Less than 40 percent of cultivable land is irrigated (only 17 percent year-round), while there is potential to reach two-thirds. Institutional problems and inefficient pricing and fee collection mechanisms result in only 3 percent of operations and maintenance costs being recovered, severely threatening the sustainability of large schemesin the Terai.

Lack of equitable and secure access to land:  Tenancy restrictions, high land fragmentation, absentee landlordism, and unequal distribution pose key challenges to tenure security and, in turn, private investment. Land disputes are common, yet most cannot afford to file court cases, and judicial process can be lengthy. Moreover, policy restrictions, such as on large-scale contract farming on various commodities (excluding tea), still remain. The idea of creating a "Land Bank" for assisting the poor in accessing land assets by the Government are worth exploring although it is not yet clear how this would function.

PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE WORLD BANK'S SUPPORT

1. Increasing productivity and value addition through commercialization and irrigation investments

• Commercialization:  This will require action along several fronts, including policy support, meeting quality standards, capacity building and market information for producers, applied research, and investment in the supply chain for high value commodities. Trade can be promoted by strengthening institutions and systems for quality control and certification, and investing in laboratories, testing stations, and human resources.
• Irrigation and emphasis on farmer management: Irrigation infrastructure can be improved by: (a) promoting both surface and groundwater irrigation for commercial and industrial crops in the Terai, while encouraging high-value horticulture and cereal production in the Mountains and Hills; (b) developing year-round irrigation in perennial flow areas and small storage facilities in other areas; (c) building low pressure sprinklers and drips for high value crops, and shallow and deep tube wells only where profitable; and (d) investing in mini- and micro-hydro facilities, to facilitate and lift irrigation in the hills . The Government should encourage farmer management of irrigation infrastructure, and support matching-grants for demand-driven farm interventions.

2. Improving the functioning of factor markets

• Factor markets should be reviewed based on analytical work and cross-country experience. Those can promote land redistributive policies, achieve a more accessible leagal system to address land disputes, and identify market and non-market mechanisms to improve access to land. Measures should be defined to improve land administration systems, particularly cadastral and land title records, to provide greater security of ownership and reduce transactions costs. Work on rural finance should develop strategies to provide services to people in isolated areas, where the traditional Grameen model is unsuitable.

3. Reaching out to the poor and investing in basic infrastructure

• Due to the protracted conflict and instability of the Government, decentralized approach to empower communities and devolve decision-making power to the local level has become the hallmark for better service delivery. The use of non governmental agencies has become an important vehicle to facilitate access to livelihood opportunities and income generating activities, particularly for the most disadvantaged groups. A mix of local, public and private investments in roads, communication and power remain critical to improve access to assets, integration with markets, generate off-season employment, especially for the most backward areas. As political, administrative and fiscal decentralization is brought, back on track role for local government will need to be defined to meet local demands, involve communities and improve accountability.

Wheat Genetic Resources in Nepal

Abstract

Genetic diversity must be maintained and utilized for sustainable agriculture development. The

amount of genetic diversity in the country depends on the number and diversity of the original

ancestors involved in the creation of a germplasm pool, wild relatives and existing landraces.

The objective of this research was to study the diversity of wheat gene pool present in the

Nepalese bread wheat cultivars and landraces that could help for developing conservation and

utilization strategy effectively. We examined the pedigrees of 35 Nepalese wheat cultivars and

surveyed the literature for distribution of landraces and wild relatives of wheat. Cultivated

landraces of spring and winter type, wild landraces and diploid species of wheat are found in

Nepal. There are 35 improved wheat cultivars, 540 landraces and 10 wild relatives of wheat.

Crosses between winter and spring wheat gene pools are far more common and offer a new

source of diversity. Mexico, India and Nepal are the origin countries for 35 cultivars. In Nepal

four cultivars were bred and developed using foreign landraces and maximum number of

cultivars was developed in Mexico. Lerma 52, first improved cereal variety to be released in the

history of cereal breeding in Nepal was released in 1960. A total of 89 ancestors originated in 22

different countries were used to develop these cultivars. Highest number of ancestors was from

India. Ancestors of both aestivum and durum species having winter, spring and intermediate

growth habit indicated the collection of wide gene pool. Most of the ancestors were aestivum

(76.40%) and spring growth habit (57.31%). Modern varieties are replacing the landraces and

improved old varieties resulted in the genetic erosion. Therefore, in situ, on farm and ex situ

conservations are necessary for maintaining these genetic variations. Unutilization of local

landraces in breeding program may be the major factor that causes to accelerate the genetic

erosion. Gene pool from these landraces along with international gene pool could make towards

success in developing high yielding cultivars with wide adaptability. In this study, cultivars and

landraces surveyed represent a wide range of variation for different areas of origin and

adaptation.

Organic Agriculture Development in Nepal

The population is increasing day by day, but on other hand, the fertile land has been converted into cities or industrial areas. If this continues, there will be no remaining fertile land for growing crops. Kathmandu Valley can be taken as an example. This problem threatens the well being of human beings in every country of this world.

The disorganized agricultural activities are also a serious problem in Nepal. The vast area of land is misused. However, the major issue in this sector is lack of skilled and qualified manpower as well as the appropriate technology. The great effort of Nepalese farmers has become fruitless. Still, we can find the large area of land uncultivated and unutilized. In this regard, it is necessary to implement a planned policy immediately. In the absence of concrete vision and policy, the existing few agricultural entrepreneurs are also facing great problems. On the other hand, there are no such better situations created to exist as private entrepreneurs. The farmers have been doing hard labor, but they are compelled to live in a miserable condition. Every government in Nepal has been claiming that agricultural development is in top priority, but the results are not found satisfactory. The way we can pursue agricultural development in this country, is through the use of organic agriculture. In the world context now organic agriculture is an emerging situation, so this is the right time to begin thinking about organic agriculture development in the country. For a country bestowed by nature with tremendous organic agricultural probability, this must be the right choice. Presently, it is in its infancy stage due to the lack of awareness amongst farmers, consumers, students, scholars, activists and policy makers. Even the government of Nepal has not given any priority for Organic Agriculture (OA) development. What we are facing today owes to the total lack of planning and foresight in the country’s organic agriculture sector. Farmers have been applying chemical inputs in the name of commercial farming, which is hazardous to both human life and the environment. Soil fertility is degrading day by day, and people are suffering with critical diseases. If we do not become timely conscious and create awareness, the situation will be beyond our control, and become a great threat to the human existence in this country. Necessary steps must be taken immediately for preserving both the environment and its creatures by supporting (institutionalizing) organic farming. Our initiative actions in this regard can be recognition for the future generations.

To create public awareness about the importance of organic agriculture, to formulate concrete planning and policy for the betterment of farmers to reduce poverty through organic agriculture, and to establishing organic agriculture resource centers all over the country will be main steps of the Nepali Government as well as those institutions and organizations who have been involving in this sector in a joint effort. It is certain that organic farming will be more cost effective than modern farming in the long run. Employing organic farming methods will lead to higher profits for farmers, not only because of price premiums, but also because of lower production costs (Rosegrant, et al., 2005; von Braun, et al, 2003). OA technologies can decrease the costs of production as chemical inputs are substituted by locally available and cheaper organic inputs and more intensive labor which the farmers often have in abundance. Adoption of OA systems also lowers the need for credit, which is often expensive and difficult to obtain for small farmers. There is substantial evidence linking OA with improvements in the profitability and income of poor farmers in developing countries. Case studies by UNESCAP (2002) shows that certain organic farming groups were able to double their income due to the lower cost of organic inputs and lower credit costs. More importantly, studies show that OA has been particularly profitable for smallholders. In the context of Nepalese farmers, OA is the only technology to adopt for their livelihood as they have a small holding of land. So it is vital to think of organic agriculture development in the country by it’s government. Government is providing subsidy in chemical fertilizer, likewise the government should have to provide necessary support to those who have been involving in the field of organic agriculture development. It should also formulate a policy in regards to organic agricultural development within the country, so that Nepal can gradually become known as an organic country.

Studying Agriculture in Nepal

Nepal is an agricultural country where most of the people are dependent on agriculture. With educated and qualified people working in this field, the agriculture sector would definitely progress a lot. But 

very few educational institutions at present are providing academic knowledge to students in this field.

The Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rampur, under Tribhuvan University (TU) started Bachelor’s programme in 1971 (2028 BS) and now has Master’s as well as Doctorate level programmes.

Likewise, Himalayan College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (HICAST), Kalanki, under Purbanchal University (PU), has been offering Bachelor’s programme since 2000, and in 2005 this college started its Master’s programme. 

About the course
Agriculture has various branches and according to the branches, the universities are currently offering various courses at different levels.

Dr Krishna Bahadur Shrestha, Principal/Adjunct Professor at HICAST informs, “There are four major sectors in Agriculture — Crop Science, Horticulture, Floriculture and Livestock.”

In the undergraduate level, HICAST is offering Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Ag) and Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc and AH).

In BSc Ag, the course is focused in basic disciplines where one also has elective subjects like Plant Protection, Agri Economics, Agronomy and more, as per Dr Shrestha.

Meanwhile, the five years course of BVSc and AH aims to produce skilled and competent manpower in the area of livestock health, production and management as well as other clinical subjects.

In its Master’s level, HICAST has been offering MSc in Meat Technology, MSc in Dairy Technology along with MSc in Agriculture Business Management.

Likewise, at IAAS, one can study BSc Ag as well as BVSc and AH. In Master’s programme, IAAS has MSc Agriculture, MSc Animal Science, Master of 

Veterinary Science (MVSc) and MSc Aquaculture.

Why this course?
“People in rural areas of Nepal are still dependent upon agriculture. As such higher education in agriculture is needed to increase the production rate of agricultural products,” opined Prof Dr Gopal Bahadur KC, Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs of IAAS.

Meanwhile, Dr Shrestha is of the opinion that to produce qualified and skilled manpower for sustainable development the education of agriculture is necessary.

Eligibility criteria
At IAAS, students wanting to pursue BSc Ag and BVSc and AH should have passed +2 in the Science stream. With English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology as majors, they must have secured a minimum of 50 per cent marks in aggregate from TU or from other recognised universities and boards to sit for the entrance exam.

Likewise, to get selected for the entrance exam of MSc Ag, s/he must have completed BSc Ag or an equivalent degree. 

For getting admission in MSc Animal Science, a student should possess a BSc Ag or BSc Animal Science, or BVSc and AH or an equivalent degree.

Likewise, for MSc Aquaculture, one must have a BSc Ag, BSc Animal Science, BVSc and AH, BSc Aquaculture, MSc Zoology or an equivalent degree.

In order to get enrollment in MVSc, an applicant must have a BVSc and AH or equivalent degree with English as a teaching medium in undergraduate level. The student should also have passed the undergraduate level with minimum second division.

Meanwhile, at HICAST to sit in the entrance exam for undergraduate level, one must have scored a minimum of 50 per cent in +2 Science stream with Biology, Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects. For studying MSc Meat Technology, MSc Dairy Technology and MSc Agriculture Business Management, students with Bachelor’s degree from Agriculture, Veterinary Science and Microbiology are eligible.

Scope
There is need for skilled manpower with higher degrees in the agriculture sector. And Dr Shrestha opines, “Sixty per cent of diseases in human are transferable through vertebrate animals and study of agriculture science helps to maintain the overall health of human as well as animals.”

Besides that there are a number of other scopes for the graduates of Agriculture Science. “One can work as an officer in the government office, as an expert in NGO/INGOs and can also become an entrepreneur using their skills and knowledge after completion of their education,” he adds.

Laxman Bhandari, BSc Ag Ist Semester student at HICAST is optimistic about the opportunities a student can get after graduating in this subject. “Nepal is an agricultural country and those who have interest in agriculture sector can definitely get the opportunity.”

About the advantage of studying this subject, Prof Dr KC shares, “The students of agriculture are granted scholarships for further studies in various international universities and agriculture has a global scope where one is also eligible to work outside the country.”

Challenges

There are some challenges the faculty members and students are facing. About this Prof Dr KC explains, “Due to the political instability, there are problems in every sector and we also have some problems. Due to political interference in education, students have become undisciplined and strikes happen inside the college. Due to such frequent strikes, we were unable to conduct our regular activities for about three months.”

Lack of availability of textbooks is the other problem. Sunita Pandey, BSc Ag Ist Semester student at HICAST shares, “We don’t have relevant semester wise text books which sometimes creates problem.” 

Agreeing with her, Dr Shrestha clears, “We provide handouts for the Bachelor’s level students and suggest them to explore the Internet for the same.”