Your search found 4 records
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049898)
(0.64 MB)
An increase of cropping intensity of irrigation schemes is required to address the challenge of global food security. Socio-economic factors also have a significant impact on the cropping intensity within an irrigated area. This research is focused on understanding the impact of socio-economic factors on cropping intensity in an irrigation scheme. To assess the socio-economic factors and cropping intensity, a framework was developed, which we believe can be adopted in other irrigation schemes in developing countries. The framework was applied to an irrigation area in Nepal. An interview checklist and observation techniques were used as the primary data-gathering method, which followed the concepts articulated in the developed framework. A census survey was also conducted in 72 farmer households. The results showed that farmers' socio-economic status and their socio-cultural practices affected cropping intensity. The research also highlighted that mechanization in agricultural practices, coordination between irrigation and agricultural district offices with farmers, market facilities for agricultural inputs and agricultural products, and land tenancy agreements all significantly influenced agricultural intensification. Based on the findings of this research, an approach to intensify cropping intensity by farm owners and farming tenants has been developed, which can be applied in irrigated areas in the developing world.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050087)
(8.87 MB) (8.87 MB)
This study assesses climate change impacts on the hydrological regime of a river basin and its implications for future irrigation water availability in the Koshi River basin using RCPs 4.5 and 8.5 over short-term (2016-2045), mid-century (2036-2065) and end-of-century (2071-2100) periods. Average flow in the Koshi River is projected to increase. Projections of average minimum monthly river flow suggest that the areas of winter wheat and monsoon paddy rice could be increased. However, the planting period of paddy rice should be delayed by one month (July to August) to capture the expected increased water availability in the river
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051485)
(4.81 MB) (4.81 MB)
The Nepalese Sunsari Morang Irrigation district is the lifeblood of millions of people in the Koshi River basin. Despite its fundamental importance to food security, little is known about the impacts of climate change on future irrigation demand and grain yields in this region. Here, we examined the impacts of climate change on the irrigation demand and grain yield of wheat crop. Climate change was simulated using Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) of 4.5 and 8.5 for three time horizons (2016–2045, 2036–2065, and 2071–2100) in the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM). For the field data’s measured period (2018–2020), we showed that farmers applied only 25% of the irrigation water required to achieve the maximum potential grain yield. Actual yields were less than 50% of the potential yields. Projected irrigation water demand is likely to increase for RCP4.5 (3%) but likely to decrease under RCP8.5 (8%) due to the truncated crop duration and lower maturity biomass by the end of the 21st century. However, simulated yields declined by 20%, suggesting that even irrigation will not be enough to mitigate the severe and detrimental effects of climate change on crop production. While our results herald positive implications for irrigation demand in the region, the implications for regional food security may be dire.
4 Nepal, Santosh; Neupane, Nilhari; Koirala, Sanju; Lautze, Jonathan; Shrestha, Ram Narayan; Bhatt, D.; Shrestha, Nirman; Adhikari, Manju; Kaini, S.; Karki, S.; Yangkhurung, J. R.; Gnawali, K.; Pradhan, A. M. S.; Timsina, K.; Pradhananga, Saurav; Khadka, Manohara. 2024. Integrated assessment of irrigation and agriculture management challenges in Nepal: an interdisciplinary perspective. Heliyon, 10(9):E29407. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29407]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052702)
(4.32 MB) (4.32 MB)
Agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring food and nutrition security, livelihood, and rural employment in Nepal. Despite substantial investments and institutional reforms, irrigation projects have faced consistently low performance. While existing studies have shed light on technical aspects of irrigation performance, they often focus on specific themes rather than holistic evaluations of sustainability. This research systematically assesses barriers and challenges to effective irrigation water management in Nepal by assessing and ranking the challenges faced by three irrigation systems located in western Nepal: Mahakali, Rani Jamara Kulariya, and Babai. To investigate these challenges, we collected data from 449 households, which provided insights into 33 indicators representing key barriers to effective irrigation and agricultural management. The identified challenges were categorized into four broad thematic areas: physical and structural, agricultural and water, socioeconomic and market, and gender and governance. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted to compare these challenges among the three irrigation schemes, different thematic areas, and various locations within each scheme (namely, the head, mid, and tail sections of the system). The findings revealed that timely access and availability of fertilizers, spring water availability and fair market prices of agricultural products are the most significant challenges. The Babai irrigation system faced the most substantial challenges among the three systems, particularly in the middle section. These findings emphasize the interconnectedness of these challenges, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to planning, implementation, and management. Integrated strategies are essential to address socioeconomic, market, and endogenous farming issues, ensuring reliable irrigation water availability for sustainable agricultural production.
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