And these were the very common replies we got when I went on a survey to Basaini(Bhojad), Chitwan, Nepal.

It?s one of the fertlile land located at the heart of Chitwan. Few years back, it was known as basket of Chitwan. The place was popular for its agricultural production especially its commercial approach. In fact it was the place with highest ?Rapeseed oil/mustard? production in Nepal. However, for multiple reasons, Bhojad has lost its identity as major producer of mustard. Sadly, agriculture production is in continuously declining. Once a prominent exporter is changing its identity as importer. This could be accounted to price hike of the land, rent becoming costly and disappointing results in mustard yield despite adopting technologies.  Now a days, most of the land has been already plotted and fragmented, fields are mostly barren and modern construction like buildings and residential houses can be seen.

Survey:

Main theme of my survey was to generalize the kitchen garden concept of the area and to know how Climate Smart Agriculture and Climate Change.( Results as you see are disappointing). I had prepared questionnaire consisting of several questions related to climate change, climate smart agriculture, organic farming, and adoption of new technology, commercialization of kitchen garden and income generation. Questions were mainly open ended type and few closed ended. Response formats was used. I(Rahul Acharya)  along with my friend Bidya Kiran Sapkota did survey of 30 houses.
 
Survey Results:
I would like to draw some major hihlights of the survey.

Have you Heard About Climate Change:
Do you feel the climate change? 

When I asked If they were willing to take such training , most of them denied to take. Pre occupied with household works, unable to leave home even for an hours(they deferred to answer further reasons), a general mindset of considering training a waste of time and like wise.

I also questioned them about commercialization of agriculture. Most of them were excited to know about commercial aspect. But again they were reluctant to adopt the methods and reasons were same: pre occupied by household works.

In terms of major source of communication, radio is still widely popular among these people followed by TV programs. Internet services are available in majority of houses but mostly limited phone in among new generation and with dismal speed. News paper are not much popular this can be accounted to lower literacy rate.

While speaking about rooftop farming, most of them knew about it but adoption was less with 'tedious process' being the most frequent reason. Vermicompost was a whole new concept to these people. Some of them had heard about it through agriculture program at radios. Unknowingly, people of these region used biopesticides for varietal reasons.

Its such a great relief that most of them don't opt out weedicides, pesticides and other chemicals. They are acquainted with harmful effects of using such chemicals. Conclusion I drew from their response to chemical uses. 

I then asked them about general concept of organic farming. Most of them responded as "organic farming as not using of pesticides or fertilizers". Partly true, but their response on such issues of agriculture, organic farming and climate change are a bit of worry. They did complain about lower productivity but they were not aware of the reasons behind this.

The final conclusion I made from my survey was the dire need to training( insisting them to take it anyway), rampant mass awareness campaign and motivational session to both men and women. Extension service should be provided extensively. With Radio being still most popular source followed by TV, its better to revamp our program through radio program and TVs. Use of internet facilities are very hopeful to future.