Agriculture, Climate change and Adoption in Nepal.

Climate change is one of the biggest todays issue, everyone at every corner seems to be discussing climate change. Nowadays, farmers are also aware of climate change, they seem to be talking about climate change.

There's much evidence that our earth is warming day by day. In that consequence, our country is also warming; though the rate of warming is lower in Nepal significant impacts are being reported. The climate change at a very low but increasing rate is detrimental for Nepal.

Evidence of climate change in Nepal

 The daily mean temperature of the terai region is increasing day by day, also, an increase in temperature more than average has been reported in high region. Though all of us are being affected by climate change farmers are those who are vulnerable to climate change.

What makes the farmer vulnerable to climate change?

A decade ago, many of them were unaware of climate change and also the impact of climate change was not observed during that period. However, a few years back to now many more consequences have been reported in agricultural sectors due to climate change. The incidence of more bacterial diseases in the farm field and incidience of varieties of fungus on the farm field has been observed due to erratic rainfall. The unusual rainfall pattern and shift in the onset of monsoon and seasons are reported very closely nowadays. The onset of monsoon has been delayed by 15-35 days which is a threat in rice production and indirectly affects wheat production as sowing is delayed.

The incidence of insect-pest and their increase in resistance towards environmental conditions makes them more adaptable to the environment. The use of pesticide and insecticide is increasing to control the insect-pest infestation but is also a threat in maintaining the soil microflora population. Soil microflora is also a chief component in the ecosystem as it is used in the degradation of materials and maintainindg soil fertility.

The diversity of crops is moving northwards. Midhills of Nepal were not much suitable for rice production but nowadays rice cultivation is being possible as the average temperature of the earth is increasing. However, local landraces of Nepalese rice varieties are being unfit for cultivation due to low productivity. Thus, they are being replaced by some of the improved and hybrid varieties. Also, weed diversity is reported high due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere. Most of the weed population belongs to the Poaceae family which have a high CO₂ Utilization rate. However, poor crop establishment and lower yield have been regarded as a principal problem in the agriculture field reported due to climate change.

Adoption strategy in response to climate change

Though all of them are not anaware of adoption to climate change fewer of them have been observed to face climate change. The adoption strategy followed is as follows:

_·             Use of organic mulch to reduce soil moisture loss

_·             Use of raise beds in planting

_·             Use of raised huts in seed storage bins

·       Building houses on raised land to protect from the flood.

·       ·    Rearing of goats and sheep on raised pens.

·       ·   change in cropping pattern e.g. inland near to river bed planting of sweet potato, watermelons,

ground nut, sesame e.t.c.

·       Position of seed vessels (kothiya) raised so that the cereals can be saved from the water.

The stilt house (thati ghar) being built for preserving seeds, grains, cereals, and utensils during the flood.

·       Check bunds, dams, a wall being built on their traditional methods to deal with changing patterns of

weather.

_·             The agroforestry approach is regarded as beneficial in the adoption of climate change. Cultivation of pepper and cardamom as high-value crops is beneficial in mid-hills through the agroforestry approach.

What next to do make adoption more effective in the Nepalese context so that its effective to cope with climate change?

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) should be promoted to involve participants in adoption and representative sampling and awareness program should be conducted though seems expensive. Farmers should be made aware of climate change and nee for its adoption. Change of cultivars should be done to improve the productivity of farms. Also, awareness camps should be conducted. Since radio is one of the most important device to convey messages as most of the farmers choose a radio for effective means of communication.

Thank you