Krishna R. Tiwari

Determinants of Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Soil Conservation Technology in a Middle Mountain Watershed of Central Nepal

This study explores different socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of improved soil conservation technology (ISCT) on Bari land (Rainfed outward sloping terraces) in the Middle Mountain region of Central Nepal. Structured questionnaire survey and focus group discussion methods were applied to collect the necessary information from farm households. The logistic regression model predicted seven factors influencing the adoption of improved soil conservation technology in the study area including years of schooling of the household head, caste of the respondent, land holding size of the Bari land, cash crop vegetable farming, family member occupation in off farm sector, membership of the Conservation and Development Groups, and use of credit. The study showed that technology dissemination through multi-sectoral type community based local groups is a good option to enhance the adoption of improved soil conservation technology in the Middle Mountain farming systems in Nepal. Planners and policy makers should formulate appropriate policies and programs considering the farmers’ interest, capacity, and limitation in promoting improved soil conservation technology for greater acceptance and adoption by the farmers.

Analysis of the sustainability of upland farming systems in the Middle Mountains region of Nepal

This paper examines the sustainability of vegetable production systems as compared with traditional cereal cropping patterns in terms of their ecological suitability, economic profitability, social acceptability and institutional viability. An assessment was carried out using combined quantitative and qualitative data collected from on-farm experimental plots, soil and plant sample analysis, a household survey, focus group discussions and a workshop in Pokhare Khola Watershed of Middle Mountain Nepal. The study showed that adoption of vegetable farming improved the socio-economic condition of the upland farmers, particularly the poor, women and disadvantaged groups, in terms of their food security, farm income, resource accessibility, employment opportunity and social status. These indicators revealed that vegetable-based cropping patterns are economically profitable and socially acceptable and thus contribute somewhat to the sustainability of upland farming. However, such achievement has been made through intensive cultivation practices such as increased use of agrochemicals and hybrid seed, that have led to declining soil fertility and increasing dependency of farmers on external inputs in commercial vegetable production and, therefore, threaten the sustainability of mountain farming in the long run. Additionally, institutional mechanisms for vegetable production and marketing are minimal and do not squarely address problems of upland farming. To ensure environmentally and socially sustainable production, government policy and programmes should promote locally available resources for vegetable production and support market mechanisms which can be competitive in national and international markets.

Runoff and soil loss responses to rainfall, land use, terracing and management practices in the Middle Mountains of Nepal

Abstract A study was conducted to assess runoff and soil loss from field plots under different land use and management practices at Pokhare Khola watershed in the Dhading district of Nepal, from 2004 to 2006. Random on-farm runoff plots were established on single and double outward sloping agricultural terraces (Bari land) with four replications of three treatments, namely: Farmer practice (Zea mays–Eleusine coracana), reduced tillage (Zea mays–Vigna unguiculata), and commercial vegetable treatment (Zea mays–Capsicum sp.). The objective was to compare efficacy of reduced tillage and cropping pattern for soil restorative management with traditional farmer practice and commercial vegetable. Additionally, two forest treatments in community-managed forest and unmanaged forest with four replicate plots were established to compare the runoff and soil loss from different forest management and land use. Results indicated that 61% of the average annual rainfall (1202 mm) eroded soil; however, annual erosivity was low to medium: 1487, 2050, and 3133 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 yr−1 in 2006, 2004, and 2005, respectively. As much as 60% of total annual soil erosion occurred in just one or two major storm events during the pre-monsoon period, when soils are bare and soils freshly tilled. The result from different land use revealed that the soil loss from agricultural land (1.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1) was higher than that in forested areas (0.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1; p<0.05), but erosion rates were lower than previously reported in the Middle Mountain region, indicating a need to re-evaluate the soil-erosion problems in this region. Although reduced tillage reduced runoff by 7 to 11% and soil loss by 18 to 28%, the study suggests that reduced tillage alone will not minimize runoff and soil loss effectively on Bari land. The relationship between soil loss and rainfall characteristics was highly variable. Ground cover and cultivation activities appeared to be the most important factors affecting soil erosion processes.

Community forestry in Nepal: Analysis of environmental outcomes

Community forestry focuses on the link between forest resources and livelihoods and contributes to forest conservation and reforestation. It is widespread in Nepal, with a very high proportion of the rural population involved, and is widely recognized as one of the most successful examples of community forestry in Asia. Through a combination of literature reviews and original research, this volume explores key experiences and outcomes of community forestry in Nepal over the last four decades as a model for improving forest management and supporting local livelihoods. The book takes a critical approach, recognizing successes, especially in forest conservation and restoration, along with mixed outcomes in terms of poverty reduction and benefits to forest users. It recognizes the way that community forestry has continued to evolve to meet new challenges, including the global challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and conservation, as well as national demographic and social changes due to large-scale labour migration and the growing remittance economy. In addition to examining the changes and responses, the book explores ways that community forestry in Nepal might move forward. Lessons from Nepal have relevance to community forestry and community-based approaches to natural resource management around the world that are also experiencing global pressures and opportunities.Community forestry focuses on the link between forest resources and livelihoods and contributes to forest conservation and reforestation. It is widespread in Nepal, with a very high proportion of the rural population involved, and is widely recognized as one of the most successful examples of community forestry in Asia. Through a combination of literature reviews and original research, this volume explores key experiences and outcomes of community forestry in Nepal over the last four decades as a model for improving forest management and supporting local livelihoods. The book takes a critical approach, recognizing successes, especially in forest conservation and restoration, along with mixed outcomes in terms of poverty reduction and benefits to forest users. It recognizes the way that community forestry has continued to evolve to meet new challenges, including the global challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and conservation, as well as national demographic and social changes due to large-scale labour migration and the growing remittance economy. In addition to examining the changes and responses, the book explores ways that community forestry in Nepal might move forward. Lessons from Nepal have relevance to community forestry and community-based approaches to natural resource management around the world that are also experiencing global pressures and opportunities. [Book Synopsis]Community forestry focuses on the link between forest resources and livelihoods and contributes to forest conservation and reforestation. It is widespread in Nepal, with a very high proportion of the rural population involved, and is widely recognized as one of the most successful examples of community forestry in Asia. Through a combination of literature reviews and original research, this volume explores key experiences and outcomes of community forestry in Nepal over the last four decades as a model for improving forest management and supporting local livelihoods. The book takes a critical approach, recognizing successes, especially in forest conservation and restoration, along with mixed outcomes in terms of poverty reduction and benefits to forest users. It recognizes the way that community forestry has continued to evolve to meet new challenges, including the global challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and conservation, as well as national demographic and social changes due to large-scale labour migration and the growing remittance economy. In addition to examining the changes and responses, the book explores ways that community forestry in Nepal might move forward. Lessons from Nepal have relevance to community forestry and community-based approaches to natural resource management around the world that are also experiencing global pressures and opportunities. [Book Synopsis]

Monsoon and Post-monsoon Evaluation of Water Quality of Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Midwestern Nepal

The study explored the lake as mesotrophic. Inflow streams to Phewa lake, lake itself and its outflow stream were sampled in monsoon and post-monsoon. Nine different sampling sites were chosen and physico-chemical parameters like pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity were recorded at the spot and rest of the parameters (total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total suspended solids) were analyzed in the laboratory. The observed concentrations were compared with Standard of Surface water quality for sustaining aquatic life. There was no significant difference in DO level, pH, TSS whereas EC, TN and water temperature showed significant difference with respective seasons. The electric conductivity of Phirke khola (inflow stream to lake) was found high that means it was putting nutrient load to the lake. The total suspended solids were much higher (176 mg/l) at Harpan khola (inflow stream) in monsoon and maximum at the middle point of lake (11 mg/l) in post-monsoon. This showed that the TSS carried by Harpan khola are maximally deposited at middle point of lake and shortening the life of the lake. The study finally recommends controlling the discharge of pollution load and periodic surface water quality monitoring and vertical (depth wise) monitoring is necessary. Keywords - Aquatic Ecology, Wetlands, Point sources, mesotrophic, quality indicators, suspended solids, nutrient input, Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal