Climate can be defined as the statistical description in terms of means and variability of key weather parameters for a given area over a period of time – usually at least 30 years. Climate change is any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.

 

Nepal is an agro-based country where more than 65% of the population engages in agriculture for livelihood. Its agriculture shares about 33% of its GDP at current price and 35% at 2000/01 constant price (MOAC, 2010). Nepal still depends on traditional cultivation practices. Its agriculture is very much dependent on rainfall. Climate change has the potential to affect agriculture through change in temperature, rainfall, CO? concentration and the interaction of these elements.

 

The extreme weather phenomenon, including droughts and floods, is expected to induce food vulnerability to the already food insecure 3.4 million people in Nepal and this increases the cost of coping dramatically (WFP, 2009). For developing countries like Nepal, climate change is not just an environmental phenomenon but also an economic, social and political issue.

 

Evidences of climate change in Nepalese agriculture

1. Late or Pre-monsoon, unusual precipitation, decreasing rainy days and intense rainfall events caused more runoff and low groundwater recharge.

2. Potato yield is decreasing every year due to shortening of the ripening period. The usual period of 90 days for potato has come down to almost 70 days.

3. Extreme fog conditions have recently been observed in the Terai regions affecting the agricultural production.

4. Traditional rainfall of Jestha and Ashar has been shifted in Shrawan and Bhadra. It has decreased paddy production.

5. Eastern Terai rain deficit in the year 2005/2006 by early monsoon and crop production reduced by 12.5% on the national basis. Nearly 10% of agro-land was left fallow due to rain deficit but mid-western Terai faced heavy rain with floods, which reduced production by 30% in the year (Regmi, 2007).

6. Shifting of climatic zones has been observed in the country.

7. Extinction of local basmati rice varieties, some local wheat, maize, and other varieties are observed.

8. Cold wave in Nepal in 1997/98 had negative impacts on agricultural productivity and showed reduction in the production of crops by 27.8, 36.5, 11.2, 30, 37.6 and 38% in potato, mustard, sarson, rayo, and lentil and chickpea respective (NARC annual reports from 1987/88 to 1997/98)

9. 3.4 million people require food assistance in Nepal. (WFP, 2008) due to a combination of natural disasters (particularly winter drought) affecting agricultural production and higher food prices.

10. 2008/09 winter drought in Nepal is considered one of the worst on record in terms of rainfall but also the breadth of area impacted.

11. 2008/09 winter was also one of the warmest with many districts particularly in the West recording record maximum temperatures32.

References From: Ananda Dhungana