|
|
|
|
|
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
Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Read More
|
|
|
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
Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Read More
|
email alert
or subscribe to the 
RSS feed.
