Nepal's growing food demand: The need to explore options

Rice, the staple food for nearly half the world’s population, is unique in its adaptability to different methods of establishment and water regimes. Rice crop establishment varies from region to region and includes transplanting, broadcasting or direct seeding, and drilling. Transplanting is practiced in about 80 per cent of the rice area of South and Southeast Asia, and therefore has received considerable attention in terms of its management and culture.

Presently, about 75 per cent of global rice is produced under irrigated conditions. The expansion of irrigation area in the recent years, the availability of short duration high yielding rice varieties, and high labor cost and cost efficient herbicides have motivated the Asian farmers to shift from transplanting to broadcast seeding of irrigated rice.

Instead of raising seedlings, and uprooting, bundling, and transplanting them in the rice field, the farmers simply soak the sacks containing the rice seeds for about two days. Then they keep it in open air for about 24 hours for draining purposes. The farmers then broadcast the pre-germinated rice seeds into the puddled fields. This technique is known as a faster method of growing a rice crop among the farmers. These are the salient features of wet seeding.

As far as the extent of its adaptability in Asia is concerned in the last few years, wet seeding on puddled fields has been adopted by farmers in the Philippines. In Central Luzon which is the prime rice growing region of the country, adoption of direct seeding has increased tremendously in the dry season. Similar developments are reported in Thailand and Malaysia. Even in temperate climate countries such as Egypt and Korea where transplanting was the only system being practiced for a long time, farmers are now switching to direct seeding.

The benefit derived from direct seeding in this rice cultivation method is that a shorter time is needed for land soaking and land preparation than in transplanted rice, reducing field water losses and saving water. Experimental results from the Philippines suggest about 36 per cent of water is saved in direct seeded plots during land preparation period compared to transplanted service area due to faster land preparation and sowing. In normal irrigation period, water use efficiency was 90 per cent for direct seeding as against 60 per cent for transplanting. The findings also showed that the average yield obtained from direct seeding was significantly higher than that from the transplanted method and it required less amount of water. About 35 per cent and 44 per cent of water was saved for transplanted and direct seeded rice under saturated and continuous standing water conditions. It was also derived that direct seeded rice could tolerate more water stress than the transplanted rice. The economic benefit of adaption of direct seeded rice was remarkably higher than of the transplanted rice due to significantly less labor requirement and higher yield.

Consequently, farmers in higher land elevation and water short areas adopted more direct seeded rice. The increase in the direct seeded service area under irrigated agriculture requires delineation of the area and provision of special water delivery schedule during land preparation period. Some constraints for adoption of this are lack of knowledge about direct seeded rice and perfect land leveling, and water management requirements during crop establishment (ensuring drainage facilities and adequate water delivery) as well as more prevalence of weeds especially during the early crop establishment period. These are some of the constraints for the adoption of direct seeded rice. More attention should go to reducing socio-economic and biophysical constraints. Farmers prefer relatively higher elevation land with less possibility of water logging to adopt direct seeding method of rice crop establishment.

Its relevance to Nepal is that the outstanding challenge to rice researchers and irrigation professionals in the third world countries, including Nepal, is to develop technologies which will increase and sustain rice production to meet ever increasing food requirements. Water is a scarce resource for rice production, especially so in the dry season. It is true that the method employed to make the crops stand and stable, grain yields with direct seeding is sometimes difficult. Also heavy rains following seeding disturb the stand of rice. If seeded into standing water, algae infestation often affects the survival and growth of rice seedlings. Clear water is essential if the rice is direct seeded, because poor crop stand results if a film of mud settles over the seed. Also higher depth of water reduces the crop stand.

As a big number of Nepali youths are leaving the country daily for employment and the food demand is growing, the challenge is to produce more food with less labor and water. Direct wet seeding of rice could be a viable technology to address this problem. Likewise, technologies like Alternate Wet and Dry Rice cultivation along with the System of Rice Intensification are some other options to solve the problem.

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Invest In Agriculture For A Prosperous Nepal

RAJENDRA ARYAL works for the Food and Agricultural Organisation as the Senior Regional Emergency Coordinator for Asia. He was born in Gyaneshwore, Kathmandu, in 1967. Aryal is one of the few Nepalese who has achieved a great deal at his age. He completed his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) Examination from Shanti Vidhya Griha. His high grades in academics earned him a merit scholarship for a Bachelor’s of Engineering degree in India. Aryal completed his Bachelor’s from the National Institute of Technology Trichy (NITT). Lack of job satisfaction took him to get a Post Graduate degree abroad. He went to Germany and Switzerland for a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. But then he faced problems in reintegration. He joined GTZ and worked there for about two years. Then he joined UN in Nepal in 1999. Aryal believes that agriculture is the principle source of food, income and employment for a majority of the population, particularly the poorest, in Nepal. Growth in agricultural sector is important for improving food security and reducing poverty.  Aryal spoke to SHRADHA GYAWALI on various issues. Excerpts:  


How satisfied are you with your current occupation?
Well, I am very satisfied with my job. Once I joined the UN Systems I understood that we could contribute a lot to Nepal. After having worked in UNDP for nearly 3 years in Nepal I went to Afghanistan, just after the ‘War on Terror’. At that time even the Kabul airport wasn’t properly operational. After Afghanistan, I worked in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In addition, I carried out different need assessment missions in China, Mongolia, DPR Korea, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Laos, and Cambodia and provided backstopping support to other countries like Vietnam, the Maldives, and India. However, I still understand that there is a lot that needs to be done in Nepal, which I am still trying to do.


How was the work in Central Asia for which you were very much applauded by the government there?
The two countries I have intensely worked with in Central Asia are Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. I worked in Kyrgyzstan after the ethnic conflict in 2010. I did need assessment works there and developed a rehabilitation program. In 2010 Mongolia was affected by a snow disaster (called Dzud) and I carried out a rapid need assessment, made presentations to the International community, and developed a post-disaster rehabilitation program. My work therefore was acknowledged by the Government of Mongolia, and I was awarded with one of the most prestigious awards in the country. Awards and interviews on media were definitely not my priorities, but I do realize that recognition of one’s work in this manner certainly adds on to the motivation and encourages doing more.


How do you look at the food security situation in Nepal and what do you think the government and the private sector need to do? 
It’s very grave. The government is putting a lot of efforts and is giving due importance to this sector, which is most appreciated. However, the need is much greater. The government cannot do everything and there is a large room for the private sector. I see that there are a lot of things that the government, private sector and we as individuals can do to improve the food security situation in the country. 

How can you help Nepal with your experience especially in the policy formulation level in terms of information, communication, technology, Disaster Risk Reduction, Hydro Power Development, and Tourism Promotion? Is it the government policy that is lacking or is it the lack of vision of the private sector that is an impediment for development of these sectors? 
I don’t claim to have expertise in everything but I can sure help Nepal in improving food security and agriculture related issues as well as Disaster Risk Reduction which I have already been doing. I don’t think there is a lack of policies as there are a lot of strategies and master plans.  I don’t say that all these policies are perfect.


Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Ten years from now I hope to be still working in Asia with strong linkages to Nepal. I am proud to be a Nepali and will remain a Nepali wherever I am and will continue to do good for Nepal and for the well being of the Nepali population. 


Why do we need to give priority to the agriculture sector?
Nepal is an agriculture based economy with more than 70% of the population dependent on agriculture. With not enough investment in agriculture, the productivity is low. People in rural areas have lack of access to improved varieties of agricultural inputs, such as seed, fertilizer and tools, and technology. The state of agriculture infrastructure is very low and irrigation facilities are very poor. The situation is very complex, and is further pushing the country towards food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty. In order to have a food secure Nepal down the line we need to have concrete programs in agriculture, both short-term input supply and long-term development. Investment in agriculture would also help us get many people out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

महिलाले खोले उद्योग

जुनसुकै काममा पनि महिला कमजोर हुन्छ भनेर आँकलन गर्ने गरिन्छ । त्यति मात्र होईन महिलाहरु पनि आफै पछि पर्ने मनस्थिती राख्छन् । महिलाले आफुलाई कमजोरीको संज्ञा दिदै गर्दा सोलुखुम्बुका जुझारु महिलाहरु भने उद्योग सञ्चालन गरेर पुरुष भन्दा कम छैन भन्ने कुरा सावित गरेका छन् । 

सोलुखुम्बुको देउसा ८ बुडिडाँडामा सञ्चालित तालिम सिकेपछि देउसा र वाकुका १० जना उद्यमी महिला मिलेर सिर्जनशिल ढाका उद्योग सञ्चालनमा ल्याएर व्यवशायिकता दिन थालेपछि उनिहरुको दैनिकी परिवर्तन भएको छ । तालिम सिक्नु भन्दा पहिले त्यतिकै घरको काममा मात्र सिमित महिलाहरु अहिले समुह बनाई उद्योग सञ्चालनमा ल्याएका हुन् । 

उद्योग सञ्चालन गरेपछि एकातिर उनिहरु स्वरोजगार भएका छन् भने अर्काेतिर स्थानीय स्तरमा नै रहेर स्थानीयको आवश्यकता पुर्ति गरेका छन् । ईको हिमाल नेपाल र घरेलु तथा साना उद्योेग विका समितिले देउसामा महिलाहरुलाई लक्षित गरि दिएको ढाका बुनाई सिकेर समुह बनाएपछि उद्योग खोल्ने आँट गरि काम सुचारु गरिएको छ । यसरी समुह बनाएर गरेको कामलाई गाउमा प्रशंसा पनि गर्न थालेको र माग पनि बढ्न थालेको उद्यमी सिता माया थुलुङ बताउनु हुन्छ । 

ढाका बुनाई आफुले नसिकेसम्म अल्छिले गर्ने काम सुनिएको भएपनि तालिम सिकेपछि काम अनुसार राम्रो फाईदा आउने देखेर नै आफुले काम सुरु गरेको हो । त्यसैले हामीले सुरुवात आफैबाट गरेको वाकुका उद्यमी जेनिशा मगर बताउनु हुन्छ । बजारमा प्रतिस्पर्धा पनि थोरै भएकोले माग धेरै आईरहेको छ । त्यसैले हामीले थान निकाल्न सक्नु मात्र आवश्यक रहेको उद्यमी तथा सिर्जनशिल ढाका उद्योग सचिव पार्वति राईले बताउनु भयो ।

सिप भएमा गाउमा नै राम्रो फाईदा लिन सकिने भएकोले सोलुखुम्बुका उद्यमी महिलाहरुबाट सिकेर गाउमा नै स्वरोजगार भन्नु पर्ने राम्रो हुन्छ । नेपालको परिवेशमा युवाहरु बेरोजगार भएको गुनासो र खबर आईरहदा सिप भएमा बेरोगार नहुने निस्चित छ ।

Nepal’s hill farmers show why climate finance matters

The eighth annual conference on community-based adaptation (CBA8) opened in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the weekend.

It features some 400 attendees from governments, NGOs, and academia, including Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, and LDC Group Chair Prakash Mathema.

All these participants are gathered to discuss the theme of “Financing Local Adaptation.”

The conference began last week with a series of visits to Nepali communities that are implementing climate adaptation measures.

Delegates were divided into seven groups, each sent to a different community.

I was part of a group that visited two communities, Kirtipur and Bote Tole, in the Nawalparasi district in the southern part of central Nepal.

These communities – just a few kilometers apart – face similar challenges, but their responses to them have necessarily been very different.

Both communities are experiencing increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns and more severe flooding during monsoon season (roughly June-August), impacting their ability to grow staple food crops like maize and rice.

Kirtipur, with immaculately terraced fields in a hilly region of Nawalparasi, happens to be situated near a mountain spring, which the community determined could be channeled through their fields via a simple, gravity-driven irrigation system consisting of PVC pipes and concrete canals.

Kirtipur’s concrete irrigation canal – the maize on the left will be harvested in June before the monsoons (Pic: Brandon Wu)

This irrigation system would address issues with insufficient rainfall outside of the monsoon season, and in 2008, with some DFID funding and NGO involvement, the community completed its construction.

The result has been that Kirtipur is not only meeting its own food security needs, but is producing a surplus in a variety of crops, to be sold at market.

With the money earned from this surplus, the community has a savings account which they can reinvest into common needs and into any repairs or maintenance the irrigation system requires.

Bote Tole, a few kilometers from Kirtipur but in a very different geographic situation, has a different story.

Faced with flooding issues, this community, which does not own legal title to the land on which they live, constructed a river embankment that has substantially increased the amount of arable land on which they can plant and harvest rice.

Even with this successful intervention, however, they are far from producing enough to be self-sufficient.

Many community members are employed as wage laborers, and a quarter of the men have found employment as migrant workers in India, the Middle East and Malaysia, sending remittances home on a monthly basis.

This site visit illustrated the extent to which adaptation activities (and it’s arguable whether these are truly adaptation activities, or merely short-term coping strategies) are fundamentally local and context-specific.

Two communities just a few kilometers apart have very different experiences and needs despite facing similar water-related challenges.

This inherent diversity presents a significant challenge to scaling up finance for adaptation.

What is the best way for an international entity like the Green Climate Fund to finance adaptation activities that are so locally specific, and which in many cases will not provide the immediate and easily quantifiable results that donors so often seek?

There are existing institutions that can provide context-specific financing for these adaptation activities, and indeed have an obligation to provide basic services for communities in need: local governments.

Local government institutions are ideal recipients of GCF adaptation finance, whether directly or through national government funds, because they are embedded in local contexts and are (at least in theory) accountable to local people.

Too often, development practice has been for NGOs to fill in gaps left by local governments that lack capacity to deliver basic services – at the expense of sustainability and accountability to local communities.

The GCF should avoid this pitfall by channeling finance through local governments.

Where local governments lack capacity, they should be able to access “readiness” support to allow them to meet the necessary requirements for receiving and managing climate finance.

REPORT: UN climate fund’s future threatened by old divisions

My colleagues at Action Aid Bangladesh have conducted innovative research on how finance can flow from international funds to the local level, and what the institutional needs are to ensure finance gets to its intended recipients. This is just one of the key discussions taking place at CBA8 now.

Of course, discussions about channeling climate finance from the national to the local level are underpinned by a basic assumption: that finance is flowing to the national level in the first place.

As always, this brings us back to the most basic of international climate policy questions: when and how will developed countries fulfill their obligations to provide climate finance?

Until they do, further conversations ring a bit hollow.

The first and most fundamental message out of a conference like CBA8 should be that developed countries must start providing adequate climate finance, starting in the immediate short term.

If they continue in their failure to do so, it’s vulnerable communities like Kirtipur, Bote Tole, and others in Nepal that CBA8 delegates visited last week – who bear no responsibility for causing the climate crisis – that will continue suffering for it.

Nepalese taking local farming practices back home

Sita Bantha Magar has been running her farm near Kathmandu for two years, which she started with imported seedlings from Holland.

She supplies to the local area.

"First I tried to do a business in mushroom... the market was also fluctuating you know, there was no price regularity.

"Later I came to know that the flower production has a very continuous, and not fluctuating market price and very systemised market in Kathmandu.

"We have to send our flowers to the wholesale market and they will distribute, but in other crops like vegetable and mushroom brokers are playing in the middle."

Sita is involved in the United Nations Micro Enterprise Development Program (MEDEP), which helps women, the poor and marginalised groups make a living.

It's been running for 15 years, and has seen about 60,000 micro enterprises supported across Nepal.

Sita's role is to advocate for the agro-enterprises to the Government, and to support those businesses with marketing and technical advice.

The enterprises cover a range of fruit and vegetable based operations.

One example is a strawberry farm that has been supported by MEDEP for ten years.

"It has a very huge potential in Nepal to uplift the economy of the country if we could export to the other countries. Recently there had been export to India, but Government is not serious about its potential.

"The farmers are making very good money... they are selling fresh fruit to the supermarkets, they have got very good price and they can also process to other diversified product for the low quality fruit, like they are making jam, jellies, chocolates, so there is very less wastage."

Central Queensland University is collaborating with MEDEP and two staff at CQU nominated Sita for a Crawford Fund scholarship which she was then awarded.

Now Sita is in Rockhampton receiving hands-on training and learning about supply chain management and technologies on local properties.

"Farming here is very advanced like use of the machines in cutting, pruning, everything.

"But in Nepal maybe the landscape is hindrance for us because we have the hills and no machines can be operated in that location, but in low hills we can do, I think that is the question of investment over there.

"And the size of the farm here I saw these are called small farms, but this size is the big farm in Nepal."

Terai is grain store of Nepal

Land is counted as the main resource in any country. The term ‘Land’ represents the area occupied by earth and is suitable for agriculture, residency and occupations. In a small mountainous country like Nepal, the area of land, favorable for agriculture and residency is very less. Therefore, the limited area of Nepal does not seem to sustain its increasing population in the future. However, Nepal has diverse landscape and climate. Therefore, the aggro-based country like Nepal can increase its agricultural production and attain optimum benefits from its land resource by cultivating different crops suitable in the landscape and climate.

According to one survey, out of the total area of Nepal 15 percent of area is covered by snow, 18 percent by river banks, cliffs, hills and unfertilized land, 13 percent by the land which can be used in agriculture but not utilized now, 8 percent by rivers, roads and residential places, 32 percent by forests and 14 percent by the land where agriculture is being done. Therefore, since the area of cultivated land and land that can be utilized in agriculture is very less in Nepal, it has become a challenge for Nepal to increase its agricultural production. Although, the survey mentioned above shows the area of land that can be used in cultivation to be 27 percent but, it is believed that such land is not more than 17 percent Nepal.

There is plain and fertile alluvial soil in the Terai region of Nepal. This region also enjoys adequate rain fall and most of the places are having irrigation facilities. Therefore, this area has become the major agricultural area of the country. Terai region, where rice is produced in a very big quantity is also known as the ‘grain store’ of Nepal.

In the inner-Terai, having sandy gravel soil and comparative less rainfall, the land suitable for agriculture is very less. The crops like paddy, wheat, maize, sugarcane, mustard etc. are cultivated in the limited agricultural land of this region.

In hilly region, based on the landscape, climate and nature of the soil, the land appropriate for agriculture is more and less in different places. Most of the land that can be applied in agricultural proposes are limited in valleys, pleasures and slopes. The major crops cultivated in the hilly region are maize, wheat, barley, tea, millet etc. Rice and sugarcane are cultivated in the valleys and river basins since it is comparatively hot there. Vegetables and other different types of crops are also grown in the valleys, where as tea, millet, coffee etc, can be grown in sloppy terrains.

There is very less agricultural land in the mountainous region of Nepal. Barley, millet and potatoes are the main agricultural corps cultivated in this region. Due to availability of enough rangeland the higher hilly area there is tradition of raring livestock like Yak, Sheep etc. in large herds.

The surface soil of Nepal is basically of 5 types:

(a) Alluvial soil

(b) Sandy gravel soil

(c) Reddish rocky soil

(d) Locus trine soil

(e) Mountain soil

(a) Alluvial soil

Alluvial soil is found in the Terai region and valleys in the hilly area. This type of soil contain sand and sticky soil in about equal proportion as it is made up by mixing up of soil deposited by rivers with grass and plants decaying in sand. This type of soil is good for agriculture as it contain minerals like limestone, phosphorus and potassium. The crops like paddy, jute, sugarcane, tobacco etc. grow well in the alluvial soil. However, the quality of alluvial soil goes on decreasing according form east to west and south to north in Nepal.

(b) Sandy gravel soil:

This type of soil is found in the Bhavar, inner-Terai and Churey areas of Nepal. Sandy gravel soil is formed by the composition of the substances like sand, gravel arid rocks deposited by rivers. This soil is less firm and very infertile as it contains less proportion of fertile soil and organic substances as well as it cannot hold water for long. Therefore, sandy gravel soil is worthless for agriculture. However the trees having good economics value like Sal, Sisau and Khayar grow very well in this soil and hence, most of the area having this kind of soil is covered with forest.

(c) Red rocky soil:

The soil made up of the mixture of degraded rocks and decayed plants in the vertical cliff of Mahabharat range is known red rocky soil. This type of soil contains less organic materials and more ionized ferrous. Due to this reason this soil has dry reddish or yellowish colour and hence, called red rocky soil. Due to the lack of the minerals like limestone, nitrogen and prosperous and less depth of the soil, the crops like paddy, sugarcane, jute, tobacco etc. cannot be cultivated in this soil. However, due to the composition of minerals like acids and ferrous this soil is very suitable for the cultivation of fruits, tea, potato, maize, millet etc.

(d) Locus trine soil:

The soil made up of by drying up of the lake of the valley is known as Locus trine soil. Due to the presence of decayed organic elements in large amount this type of soil is black in colour. This type of soil has a good depth and a high proportion of organic material and hence, is best for agriculture. Especially, corps like paddy, wheat and vegetable grow very well in this type of soil. Water absorbing and holding capacity is very high in locus trine soil and hence, in this type of soil, cultivation can even be done with less rainfall. This type of soil is found in Kathmandu Valley.

(e) Mountain soil:

Mountain soil is formed by the glaciers by depositing soil, gravel, rocks etc. This type of soil is mostly found on the base in inner and high mountainous area of Nepal. Due to very cold and dry climate, less depth of soil and less organic materials in the soil, this type of soil is very infertile. Only the crops like maize, barley, potato etc. are cultivated in mountain soil.

4. Forest Resource:

The slogan ‘Hariyo Ban Nepalko Dhan’ (Green forest, the wealth of Nepal) used to be very popular in Nepal some years before. However, coming till today, it is worthless to say that. At present, 39.6 percent of the total area of Nepal is covered by forests while it is targeted to make 40 percent in current 3-year plan.

As, Nepal has different type of climate and topography a variety of flora and fauna, plants, medicinal herbs etc. are found in the forests of Nepal. The material need for the general livelihood such as Timber, fire-wood, medicinal herbs, animal’s fodder etc. are available in forests. The raw material essential for different industries are also available in the forest resources. In addition, forest reduces environmental pollution and hence, plays a positive role in public health. Therefore, forests have great significance in both everyday life and national economy.

Nepal is a country with diverse climatic and topography. Hence, if, different species of trees are planted and grown in their suitable environment among mountain, hill and Terai regions, the forest resource of Nepal can be a unique model for the world.

The forests are originate and formed on the basis of climate, topography and nature of soil. Forests of Nepal can be classified into three types on the basis of altitude, climate and nature of soil:

(a) Sub-Tropical evergreen forest:

This type of forest is found in the Terai, Bhavar, Chure and inner Terai areas within altitude 1,200 meter from the sea level. This forest remains green throughout the year and hence, called evergreen forest.

The plants like Sal, Sisau, Khayar, Bijaysal, Satisal, Jamun, Seemal, bamboo etc. are found in this type of forest. The trees that grow in the sub-tropical evergreen forests have broad bunchy tops. The timber of the trees mostly found here are very hard. This hard timber is regarded useful to make different articles including furniture, windows, doors etc. Therefore, sub-tropical evergreen forest is very important economically.

(b) Deciduous Monsoon forest:

This type of Forest are found in upper parts of Churey hills, mid-lands and lower parts of Mahabharat hill within the attitude from 1,200 meter to 2,100 meters above the sea level. The trees of these forests cast their leaves in the winter and hence, these types of forests are called deciduous monsoon forests. The major plants found in this type forest are Sal, Seemal, Bar, Bamboo, Uttis, Guras, Willow, Chanp, Wallnut, Chilaune etc. Mixed evergreen forest and mixed coniferous forest are found in the lower and upper part of deciduous monsoon forest respectively and hence, this type of forest is also known and the mixed types of forest.

(C) Evergreen coniferous forest:

The forest found within the altitude from 2,100 meter to 3,300 meter above the sea level is known as Evergreen coniferous forests. This type of forest is found in the upper regions of Mahabharat hills and lower regions of Himalayas. The leaves of most of the trees found in the coniferous forests are small. The trees look like triangular in shape as the branches are longer towards the base and subsequently shorter towards the top. Therefore, these types of forests are known as coniferous forests. The soft plants like Khashru, Devdar, Gobre Sallo, Chanp, Falat, Pines, Bhojpatra, Rhododendron are found in such forests, whereas in the lower areas of these forests different types of deciduous trees can be also found. These forests are considered important commercially.