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Throughout the Hindu Kush Himalayas, uncultivated plants provide a green social and cultural securityÅ to millions of people supporting their livelihood
. Review on evaluating the multifunctional role of uncultivated plants in perspective of livelihood support finds that plants add diversity to local food systems, reinforce local culture and contribute diversity to farming systems, and finally are important for household food and nutrition security, social security, income generation and health care. Further, this paper clarifies that local people maintain and conserve diversity for the sake of use. The wise conservation and use of uncultivated plants are essential elements for increasing food security, eliminating poverty, and maintaining the environment. However, the value and potential of uncultivated plants for food and nutrition security, household level health care, income generation opportunity are not yet realized. Fast changing climate and early projections on its impacts suggest that such programmes must increasingly consider the sustenance of ecosystem that promotes uncultivated plants as basis for the welfare of millions
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This paper presents the consumers' willingness to pay a price premium for organic products in Kathmandu Valley
. The Nepal Permaculture Group surveyed 180 consumers using semi-structured questionnaires to examine peoples' perception about organic products and assess their willingness to pay for such products. The study revealed that all respondents are willing to pay price premium, but the level of acceptability varied considerably. A total of 58% of the consumers are willing to pay 6- 20% price premium, whereas 13% are willing to pay up to 50% premium. The average premium was estimated about 30%. About 39% of the respondents feel the extra cost for organic products is reasonable, while 27% considered it too high. The survey also suggested that the consumption of organic products is increasing; however, product development and innovations in certification, processing, labeling and packaging are needed to further stimulate demand
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This study documents the use of uncultivated plants, their status and contribution to the livelihoods of Chepang people in the mid-hills of Nepal
. Diversity fairs, key informant surveys, group discussions and individual household surveys were conducted. The plants identified were used as food, vegetables, medicine, and for cultural and economic reasons. The uses of 85 uncultivated plant species were documented of which 72% had multiple functions. The uncultivated foods contributed significantly to food requirements of the households (mean 2.6 months a year). Fifteen species were stored for future use, e.g., Dioscorea species. Almost all species (87%) were also culturally important or medicinal (43%). The availability of these species has declined over time. However, people have started in-situ conservation and domestication of several important species, e.g., Asparagus racemosus Willd., Dioscorea bulbifera L., and Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam, but these resources are neglected in research and development activities
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The vast amount of marginal sloppy land available in Nepal is greatest challenge for research and development interventions
. These areas are typically remote in access, marginal in agricultural production, lack cash generating opportunities. Soil erosion and land degradations have been a serious concern. In last few years, various technologies found to be effective in conserving soil and water, enhancing soil fertility and increasing crop production. However, inadequate consideration of farmers’ local knowledge and resources, and poor participation of farmers in the research process resulted in low adoption of such technologies. As a result researchers are now given priorities to the farmers in the whole process of the technology generation
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The vast amount of marginal sloppy land available in Nepal is greatest challenge for research and development interventions
. These areas are typically remote in access, marginal in agricultural production, lack cash generating opportunities. Soil erosion and land degradations have been a serious concern. In last few years, various technologies found to be effective in conserving soil and water, enhancing soil fertility and increasing crop production. However, inadequate consideration of farmers’ local knowledge and resources, and poor participation of farmers in the research process resulted in low adoption of such technologies. As a result researchers are now given priorities to the farmers in the whole process of the technology generation.
This paper is based on the experiences of the research project aiming to identify integrated agricultural technological packages suitable for slopping land areas of Nepal. Participatory Technology Development (PTD) approach was used in the project to generate appropriate technological packages on soil and water management which will enhance food production and on-farm cash income. The paper examines the various agricultural technological packages identified, tested and adopted by research farmers. Participatory contour hedgerow, intercropping of legume with maize, mixed vegetable farming, strip cropping, forage and fodder production and other support mechanisms are some of the interventions. Various Participatory methods were used along with soil depth measurement and soil sample analysis. Farmers have tested these technologies and modified them according to their need and species adoptability. The initial results demonstrate the effectiveness of contour hedgerows in increasing the nitrogen content of soil, improving soil texture, soil deposition and maintaining the soil pH. It has been observed that the technology is promising in biomass production, promoting species diversities and providing economic benefit to farming households. Adoption and Adaptation of the technology is taking place gradually in the research and near by sites. Some of the government line agencies had already mainstreaming these technological interventions in their annual work plan. However, there is still a need of coordination and linkage among different stakeholders with possible mechanism for its wider scaling
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