AI SearchAgricultural development through eco-restructuring in different ecological zones across Nepal
Regmi, Punya Prasad
Agricultural development through eco-restructuring in different ecological zones across Nepal - Bangkok : Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 - 419, [69] p. - Dissertation ; no. AC-99-02 . - Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. AC-99-02 .
A dissertation submitted in partial fulllment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Environment, Resources and Development
Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999
Research objectives and hypotheses are geared to apply the coo-restructuring method (ERA/f), for the appraisal of ecosystem capabilities and the conceptualization of ecosystem governance. The study area straddles across all ecological zones of the Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal. Eight distinct agro-ecosystems represent the salient features of this cross-section or continuum, along which 280 farm households were sampled in rural settlements, at altitudes ranging from 200 to 2,800 meters above sea level. Analytical tools employed include statistical tests; cost, return, cost-benet ratio, and production function analyses; linear programming; and index construction; all these facilitated whole- farm planning. The eight are the Terai, Siwalik dun, Middle Mountain South Facing, Middle Mountain North Facing, Middle Mountain Valley, Mountain South Facing, MOuntain North Facing and High Mountain agroecosystems. Farming is the main source of livelihood of all sampled households. Signicant variations in household income, crop production and productivity were mainly caused by farm size, soil characteristics, altitude, availability of irrigation water, technology adopted and management practices. The small-size farm category represented the majority of farm households, unable to meet their kilo calorie requirements from their farm production alone. Only the Terai and Siwalik dun agro-ecosystems were producing a surplus of agricultural commodities, on an average though. By farm size category, small farmers who constituted 60 percent of the total farm households in the Terai and 68 percent in the Siwalik dun were found unable to meet their kilo calorie requirements, indicating that the majority of farmers had inadequate access to resources and food. Under the systems of major crops, all were receiving insufcient nutrients. The carrying capacity of livestock was exceeded to the degree where feed requirements could not be fullled. Therefore, not only people but also amps and livestock were found underfed in all agro-ecological zones and agro- ecosystems. The main constraints were shortage of irrigation water, diseases, insects, pests, wildlife damage, weak agricultural support systems, small landholding size, land fragmentation, and shortage of fodder. However, conditions could be improved through coo-governance for the enhancement of coo-system capabilities. Each agroecological zone has its own development potentials that need to be harnessed through eco-restructuring. The Terai agro-ecosystem has potential for production of cereals and legumes; the Siwalik dun f0r legumes, cereals, and vegetables; the Middle Mountains for fruit, vegetable seeds and cereals; and the Mountains and High Mountains for fruits, cole crops, and herbs. Each agro-ecosystem under study has potential for livestock rearing as well. Agro-forestry in the Middle Mountain agro-ecosystem was contributing signicantly higher amounts of fodder than natural forests. People in each study locale were fully aware of the importance of forests for their agriculture. There was great need to establish forward and backward as well as upstream and downstream linkages within each agro-ecosystem, among adjacent agro-ecosystems, and between agro-ecological zones. In support of building such linkages, coordination and cooperation among eld-level development agencies, organizations, institutions and 13601316 at large ought to be strengthened. The ultimate goal should be to enhance both agro-ecosystem capabilities and eco-governance, which are two fundamentals of eco-restructuring. To achieve this, the creation of representative, consultative bodies is proposed: at the micro level, Agro-ecosystem Councils, and at the macro level, an Agro-ecological Zone Consortium, to ensure the effective implementation of strategies developed for eco-restructuring and sustainable rural development. In this vein, detailed strategy and policy recommendations are presented, supplemented by research requirements to further advance the eco-restructuring method (ERM).
Organic farming--Nepal
Agricultural development through eco-restructuring in different ecological zones across Nepal - Bangkok : Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 - 419, [69] p. - Dissertation ; no. AC-99-02 . - Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. AC-99-02 .
A dissertation submitted in partial fulllment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Environment, Resources and Development
Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999
Research objectives and hypotheses are geared to apply the coo-restructuring method (ERA/f), for the appraisal of ecosystem capabilities and the conceptualization of ecosystem governance. The study area straddles across all ecological zones of the Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal. Eight distinct agro-ecosystems represent the salient features of this cross-section or continuum, along which 280 farm households were sampled in rural settlements, at altitudes ranging from 200 to 2,800 meters above sea level. Analytical tools employed include statistical tests; cost, return, cost-benet ratio, and production function analyses; linear programming; and index construction; all these facilitated whole- farm planning. The eight are the Terai, Siwalik dun, Middle Mountain South Facing, Middle Mountain North Facing, Middle Mountain Valley, Mountain South Facing, MOuntain North Facing and High Mountain agroecosystems. Farming is the main source of livelihood of all sampled households. Signicant variations in household income, crop production and productivity were mainly caused by farm size, soil characteristics, altitude, availability of irrigation water, technology adopted and management practices. The small-size farm category represented the majority of farm households, unable to meet their kilo calorie requirements from their farm production alone. Only the Terai and Siwalik dun agro-ecosystems were producing a surplus of agricultural commodities, on an average though. By farm size category, small farmers who constituted 60 percent of the total farm households in the Terai and 68 percent in the Siwalik dun were found unable to meet their kilo calorie requirements, indicating that the majority of farmers had inadequate access to resources and food. Under the systems of major crops, all were receiving insufcient nutrients. The carrying capacity of livestock was exceeded to the degree where feed requirements could not be fullled. Therefore, not only people but also amps and livestock were found underfed in all agro-ecological zones and agro- ecosystems. The main constraints were shortage of irrigation water, diseases, insects, pests, wildlife damage, weak agricultural support systems, small landholding size, land fragmentation, and shortage of fodder. However, conditions could be improved through coo-governance for the enhancement of coo-system capabilities. Each agroecological zone has its own development potentials that need to be harnessed through eco-restructuring. The Terai agro-ecosystem has potential for production of cereals and legumes; the Siwalik dun f0r legumes, cereals, and vegetables; the Middle Mountains for fruit, vegetable seeds and cereals; and the Mountains and High Mountains for fruits, cole crops, and herbs. Each agro-ecosystem under study has potential for livestock rearing as well. Agro-forestry in the Middle Mountain agro-ecosystem was contributing signicantly higher amounts of fodder than natural forests. People in each study locale were fully aware of the importance of forests for their agriculture. There was great need to establish forward and backward as well as upstream and downstream linkages within each agro-ecosystem, among adjacent agro-ecosystems, and between agro-ecological zones. In support of building such linkages, coordination and cooperation among eld-level development agencies, organizations, institutions and 13601316 at large ought to be strengthened. The ultimate goal should be to enhance both agro-ecosystem capabilities and eco-governance, which are two fundamentals of eco-restructuring. To achieve this, the creation of representative, consultative bodies is proposed: at the micro level, Agro-ecosystem Councils, and at the macro level, an Agro-ecological Zone Consortium, to ensure the effective implementation of strategies developed for eco-restructuring and sustainable rural development. In this vein, detailed strategy and policy recommendations are presented, supplemented by research requirements to further advance the eco-restructuring method (ERM).
Organic farming--Nepal