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7/28/2019 Term paper on impact of organic farming in Nepal.docx
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A term paper on:
IMPACT OF ORGANIC FARMING IN NEPAL
Submitted to:
Associate Prof. Ramananda Yadav. Ph. D.
Department of Soil Science and Agri-Engineering
Institute of Agriculture and Animal SciencesRampur, Chitwan, Nepal
Submitted By
Krishna Prashad TiwariM.Sc.Ag (Horticulture)
3rd Semester
R 2010-HRT-02M
February, 2012
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IMPACT OF ORGANIC FARMING IN NEPAL
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of introduction
To increase the supply of agriculture production, new technology is being used. This includes
genetic modification, chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides in agriculture. The use of
chemical provides instant benefits but in long run these chemicals destroy the production capacity
of the soil. They also leave negative impact on the life of the human beings, and lead to other
environmental problems too. At the same time the genetic modification of the food is also
decimating the natural variety of plants. On the other hand urbanization, industrialization and
development of various other infrastructures have led to the rapid loss of agricultural land and the
production too. The worlds population, which is rapidly increasing, will suffer from this loss. We
must not be only commercial for the production of agricultural things as it has long run effects on
human life and the environment too. We use various chemical fertilizers so as to yield a goodamount of crop but in other hand it will leave a long run effect on human life and the environment.
We must not think of agriculture with a commercial mind, viewing it for our individual benefits.
Therefore, by proper utilization of natural resources, which are gifts of nature, we should be able to
produce high quality agricultural products while compensating for nature. If we do not become
timely conscious and become aware of this situation, then it will be beyond the control and will be a
great threat to the human existence in this world. Necessary steps must be taken immediately for
preserving environment and its creatures by supporting (institutionalizing) organic farming
globally. The only way we can save our planet is through sustainable organic agriculture.
Nepal is an agriculture-based economy with about 85 % population dependent on agriculturewhereas 80 % of the population survives as agriculture labors. The farmers have been doing hard
labor but they are not able to improve their quality of living and are compelled to live a miserable
life. Nepal has a history of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides for the last 35 years for higher
agriculture production yields. Before the use of chemical fertilizers, the quality of rice was very
high and full of flavor, while the rice is being cooked in kitchen all the surrounding areas would be
full of the aroma. With the use of fertilizer, the quality of rice has deteriorated; the production is
high but the quality of taste and even differs in the amount of nutrition it provides to us. Similarly,
the use of chemicals in agriculture has been decreasing the quality of our food. Due to the use of
synthetic fertilizer and pesticides all agriculture products are being contaminated and being
unhealthier. Also, using these kinds of chemical inputs affects the ecosystem and imbalance theecological cycle. It also has direct effect on climatic change and global warming.
1.2 Concept of organic agriculture
According to the International Federation of Organic Movements (IFOAM), organic agricultureincludes all agricultural systems that promote the environmentally, socially and economically soundproduction of food and fibers (Willer & Yussefi, 2006). These systems take soil fertility as a key to
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successful production. By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and the landscape,organic farming aims to optimize quality in all aspects of agriculture and environment (Ibid). Butorganic production is not merely concerned with a product, but also with the whole system used toproduce and deliver the product to the ultimate consumer, including chain of custody, handling andprocessing (Scialabba & Hattam, 2002).
Organic farming largely excludes synthetic inputs - pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers and focuses
instead on biological processes such as composting and other measures to maintain soil fertility,
natural pest control and diversifying crops and livestock. Organic agriculture gives priority to long-
term ecological health, such as biodiversity and soil quality, contrasting with conventional farming,
which concentrates on short-term productivity gains.
There are scientific studies, peer-reviewed and published, documenting organic agricultures
positive outcomes. Furthermore, certified organic production is just the tip of the iceberg in terms
of land managed organically but not certified as such.De facto organic farming is prevalent in
resource-poor and/or agriculturally marginal regions where local populations have limited
engagement with the cash economy. Farmers rely on locally available natural resources to maintain
soil fertility and to combat pests and diseases. They are showing the way towards sustainable
agriculture through sophisticated systems of crop rotation, soil management, and pest and disease
control, based on traditional knowledge.
Organic farming has its roots in the variously named biodynamic, regenerative agriculture, nature
farming and permculture movements which have developed in different countries. Numerous
adaptations of the guidelines have taken place, but the common understanding is that:
Practicing organic agriculture involves managing the agro-ecosystem as an
autonomous system, based on the primary production capacity of the soil under localclimatic conditions. Agro-ecosystem management implies treating the system, on anyscale, as a living organism supporting its own vital potential for biomass and animal
production, along with biological mechanisms for mineral balancing, soil
improvement and pest control. .. Farmers, their families and rural communities, arean integral part of this agro-ecosystem. Both sexes are involved on equal terms.
(UNDP, 1992)
1.3 Organic farming in Nepalese context
A research focused on the problems and potentials of organic agriculture in Nepal basing on the
study of stakeholders of organic agriculture found that about 2.5% of households of urban areas are
consuming organic products and almost 30% are found to have desire. Most of the organic
production and marketing system in Nepal is on the basis of community trust. Market for organic
products is quite rudimentary and legal certification hasnt started. There has been lacuna in
research on the technologies to support organic agriculture.
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Most of the farmers are well aware about the negative repercussion of the indiscriminate use of the
agro-chemicals in their farm and opined that they would like to shift from inorganic towards
organic agriculture; however, marketing for such products is the greatest bottleneck. All domestic
organics reach to consumers without labeling. Consumers have a belief that organic food is
healthier, less polluted and more natural, than conventionally produced foods. Many of the
consumers are of the view that quality of the organic products is good and thats why these products
are expensive. Most of them are willing to pay 10-15% of more price to the organic products over
inorganic while they are willing to pay 20-30% more price to the organic products if they are
labeled. Organic products are usually sold directly from farmers or through specialized shops and
restaurants. Organic industry is too small and a long way to go in Nepal. Due to the lack of
financial support for conversion, organic farmers rely only on consumers willingness to pay higher
prices to obtain compensation for lower yields or higher costs that may arise due to the organic
practice. Till date there is a vacuum of government policy to support organic opportunities in the
country. Managing own Internal Control Systems better prepares farmers to manage plethora of
other standards that are increasingly mandated for the trade. Political commitments such asavoiding conflicting drive to maximize production, hammering proactive policy, providing market
incentives and institutionalization of Nepalese organic movement are imperative to further enhance
organic sector in Nepal.
1.4 Objectives of the study
The major objectives of this study are:
To assess the scenario of organic farming in Nepal.
To collect the latest information regarding potential achievements on livelihood of Nepalese people.
To compile impacts driven due to adoption of organic agriculture in Nepal.
2. METHODOLOGY
Since the study is limited to a term paper during a course under graduation in IAAS, the study is
completely based on review of national and international articles concerned with the topic of study.
Therefore, collection and review of essential materials were performed in February 2012 and the
report has been made by compiling essential statements, facts about the changes aroused by organic
or sustainable agriculture or permaculture.
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3. IMPACT OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
A. MICRO ELEMENTS
3.1 Changes on yields
A study on conventional and alternative farming systems for tomatoes over four years indicate thatorganic and low-input agriculture produce yields comparable to conventional systems. Nitrogen
(N) availability was the most important factor limiting yield in organic systems, and can be
satisfied by biological inputs.
Another experiment examined organic and conventional potatoes and sweet corn over three years.
Results showed that yield and vitamin C content of potatoes were not affected by the two different
regimes. While one variety of conventional corn out-produced the organic, there was no difference
between the two in yield of another variety or the vitamin C or E contents. Results indicate that
long-term application of composts is producing higher soil fertility and comparable plant growth. A
review of replicated research results in seven different US Universities and from Rodale ResearchCenter, Pennsylvania and the Michael Fields Center, Wisconsin over the past 10 years showed that
organic farming systems resulted in yields comparable to industrial, high input agriculture.
Corn: With 69 total cropping seasons, organic yields were 94% of conventionally produced corn.
Soybeans: Data from five states over 55 growing seasons showed organic yields were 94% of
conventional yields.
Wheat: Two institutions with 16 cropping year experiments showed that organic wheat produced
97% of the conventional yields.
Tomatoes: Fourteen years of comparative research on tomatoes showed no yield differences.
The most remarkable results of organic farming, however, have come from small farmers in
developing countries. Case studies of organic practices show dramatic increases in yields as well as
benefits to soil quality, reduction in pests and diseases and general improvement in taste and
nutritional content. For example, in Brazil the use of green manures and cover crops increased
maize yields by between 20% and 250%; in Tigray, Ethiopia, yields of crops from composted plots
were 3-5 times higher than those treated only with chemicals; yield increases of 175% have been
reported from farms in Nepal adopting agro-ecological practices; and in Peru the restoration of
traditional Incan terracing has led to increases of 150% for a range of upland crops.
Projects in Senegal involving 2000 farmers promoted stall-fed livestock, composting systems, useof green manures, water harvesting systems and rock phosphate. Yields of millet and peanuts
increased dramatically, by 75-195% and 75-165% respectively. Because the soils have greater
water retaining capacity, fluctuations in yields are less pronounced between high and low rainfall
years. A project in Honduras, which emphasized soil conservation practices and organic fertilizers,
saw a tripling or quadrupling of yields.
In Santa Catarina, Brazil, focus has been placed on soil and water conservation, using contour grass
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barriers, contour ploughing and green manures. Some 60 different crop species, leguminous and
non-leguminous, have been inter-cropped or planted during fallow periods. These have had major
impacts on yields, soil quality, levels of biological activity and water-retaining capacity. Yields of
maize and soybeans have increased by 66%.
3.2 Efficient productionThe worlds longest running experiment comparing organic and conventional farming pronounced
the former a success. The 21-year study found that soils nourished with manure were more fertile
and produced more crops for a given input of nitrogen or other fertilizer. Nutrient input in the
organic systems was 34 to 51% lower than in the conventional systems, whereas mean crop yield
was only 20% lower over 21 years, indicating efficient production and use of resources. The
ecological and efficiency gains more than made up for lower yields. In the long term, the organic
approach was commercially viable, producing more food with less energy and fewer resources.
The biggest bonus was improved quality of the soil under organic cultivation. Organic soils had up
to 3.2 times as much biomass and abundance of earthworms, twice as many arthropods (importantpredators and indicators of soil fertility) and 40% more mycorrhizal fungi colonising plant roots.
Mycorrhizal fungi are important in helping roots obtain more nutrients and water from the soil.
The enhanced soil fertility and higher biodiversity is believed to render the organic plots less
dependent on external inputs and provide long-term environmental benefits.
3.3 Improved soil properties
Indeed, organic agriculture is helping to conserve and improve farmers most precious resource,
the topsoil. To counter the problems of hardening, nutrient loss and erosion, organic farmers in the
South are using trees, shrubs and leguminous plants to stabilize and feed soil, dung and compost to
provide nutrients, and terracing or check dams to prevent erosion and conserve groundwater.
Field experiments conducted at three organic and three conventional vegetable farms in 1996-1997
examined the effects of synthetic fertilisers and alternative soil amendments, including compost.
Propagule densities ofTrichoderma species (beneficial soil fungi that are biological control agents
of plant-pathogenic fungi) and thermophilic microorganisms (a major constituent of which was
Actinomycetes, which suppressesPhytophthora) were greater in organic soils. In contrast, densities
ofPhytophthora andPythium (both plant pathogens) were lower in organic soils. While the study
recorded increased enteric bacteria in organic soils, the researchers stressed that this was not a
problem, as survival rates in soil are minimal. Critics of organic farming have disingenuously
pointed to the possible human health effects of using manure. But untreated manure is notallowedin certified organic culture, and treated manure (known widely as compost) is safe - this is what is
used in organic farming. Unlike conventional regimes (where manure might be used), mandatory
organic certification bodies inspect farms to ensure standards are met.
Little yield difference was observed in the first year. In the second year, tomato yields were higher
on farms with a history of organic production, regardless of soil amendment type, probably due to
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the benefits of long-term organic amendments. Mineral concentrations were higher in organic soils
whilst soil quality on conventional farms was significantly improved by the addition of organic
fertilizer.
Another means to restore soil fertility in organic systems is through legumes. A 15-year study
compared three maize/soybean agro-ecosystems. One was a conventional system using mineral Nfertilizer and pesticides. The other two systems were managed organically. One was manure-based,
where grasses and legumes, grown as part of a crop rotation, were fed to cattle. The manure
provided N for maize production. The other did not have livestock; N fixed by legumes was
incorporated into soil.
Amazingly, the 10-year-average maize yields differed by less than 1% among the three systems.
Soil organic matter and N content increased markedly in the manure system and, to a lesser degree,
in the legume system, but were unchanged or declined in the conventional system. The latter had
greater environmental impacts - 60% more nitrate leached into groundwater over a 5-year period
than in the organic systems.
3.4 No increased pests
Because organic farms dont use synthetic pesticides, critics claim that losses due to pests would
rise. However, research on tomato production has found that the withdrawal of synthetic
insecticides does not lead to increased crop losses as a result of pest damage. There was no
significant difference in pest damage levels on 18 commercial farms, half of which were certified
organic systems and half, conventional operations.
Arthropod biodiversity was on average one-third greater on organic farms than on conventional
farms. There was no significant difference between the two for abundance of pests, but densities of
natural enemies were more abundant on organic farms, with greater species richness of allfunctional groups (herbivores, predators, parasitoids). Thus, any particular pest species in organic
farms would be associated with a greater variety of herbivores (i.e. diluted) and subject to a wider
variety and greater abundance of potential parasitoids and predators.
At the same time, research has shown that pest control is achievable without pesticides, reversing
crop losses. For example, in East Africa, maize and sorghum face two major pestsstem borer and
Striga, a parasitic plant. Field margins are planted with trap crops that attract stem borer, such as
Napier grass. Pests are lured away from the crop into a trapthe grass produces a sticky substance
that kills stemborer larvae. The crops are inter-planted with molasses grass (Desmodium
uncinatum) and two legumes: silverleaf and greenleaf. The legumes bind N, enriching the soil. Butthats not all.Desmodium also repels stemborers andStriga.
Korean researchers recently reported that avoiding pesticides in paddy fields encourages the muddy
loach fish, which effectively control mosquitoes that spread malaria and Japanese encephalitis. The
larvae numbers of the mosquito vectors were significantly lower in organic sites.
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3.5 Higher biodiversity
Maintaining agricultural biodiversity is vital to ensuring long-term food security. Organic farms
often exhibit greater biodiversity than conventional farms, with more trees, a wider diversity of
crops and many different natural predators, which control pests and help prevent disease.
Proving with stunning results that planting a diversity of crops is beneficial (compared withmonocultures), thousands of Chinese rice farmers have doubled yields and nearly eliminated its
most devastating disease, without using chemicals or spending more. Under the direction of
scientists, farmers in Yunnan implemented a simple change that radically restricted the incidence
of rice blast. Instead of planting large stands of a single type of rice, as they typically have done,
they planted a mixture of two different kinds of rice: a standard rice that does not usually succumb
to rice blast disease and a much more valuable sticky rice known to be very susceptible.
Resistant plants not only blocked the airborne spores, but as more farmers participated, positive
effects began to multiply. Not only were spores not blowing in from the next row, they were no
longer coming from the next farmers field either, rapidly halting the diseases spread. The stickyrice plants, which rise above the shorter, standard rice plants, enjoyed sunnier, warmer and drier
conditions that also discouraged the growth of ice blast.
Furthermore, empirical evidence from a study conducted since 1994 shows that biodiverse
ecosystems are 2-3 times more productive than monocultures. In experimental plots, both
aboveground and total biomass increased significantly with species number. The high diversity
plots were fairly immune to the invasion and growth of weeds, but this was not so for monocultures
and low diversity plots. Thus, biodiverse systems are also less prone to weeds!
3.6 GHGs emissions
Organic agriculture not only have enabled agriculture-influenced ecosystems to better adjust to the
effects of climate change but also offers potential to reduce the emissions of agricultural
greenhouse gases. Mitigation is a process of reducing Green House Gases (GHGs) which are
responsible for change in climate and climatic variability. The main GHGs include methane,
nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
Organic agriculture not only have enabled
ecosystems to better adjust to the effects of
climate change but also offers potential to reduce
the emissions of agricultural greenhouse gases. In
organic agriculture, soil fertility is maintainedmainly through farm internal inputs (organic
manures, legume production, wide crop rotations
etc.); energy-demanding synthetic fertilizers and
plant protection agents are rejected; and there is
less or no use of fossil fuel. The carbon sink idea
of the Kyoto Protocol (Article 3.4) may thereforeFig: Sources of GHGs
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partly be accomplished efficiently by organic agriculture (Food and Agriculture Organization,
2008). In order to reduce GHG emissions from the agriculture sector, suggestions by IPCC (2007a)
included improving crop and grazing land management to increase soil carbon storage; improving
nitrogen fertilizer application techniques to reduce N; and dedicated energy crops to replace fossil
fuel use (IPCC, 2007b).
3.7 Change in cash crop income
Engagement in certified organic cash crop production has improved household food access by
increasing household income that may be used to access more food through the market which may
be either through the organic price premium, by reducing the unit cost of production, or because it
enables the adoption of a new cash crop not formerly produced by the household. The little
research done to date suggests that organic farmers in developing countries can increase their
income by 30%-200% after the organic conversion period (Onduru et al, 2002; Parrot et al, 2006).
3.8 Sustainable farming with better soil environment
Research published inNature investigated the sustainability of organic, conventional and
integrated (combining organic and conventional methods) apple production systems in Washington
from 1994-1999. All three gave comparable yields, with no observable differences in physiological
disorders or pest and disease damage.
The organic system ranked first in environmental and economic sustainability, the integrated
system second and the conventional system last. A sustainable farm must produce adequate high-
quality yields, be profitable, protect the environment, conserve resources and be socially
responsible in the long term. Specific indicators used were soil quality, horticultural performance,
orchard profitability, environmental quality and energy efficiency.
Soil quality ratings in 1998 and 1999 for the organic and integrated systems were significantly
higher than for the conventional system, due to the addition of compost and mulch. There were
satisfactory levels of nutrients among all three systems. A consumer taste test found organic apples
less tart at harvest and sweeter than conventional apples after six months of storage.
3.9 Value of the trade
Estimating the volumes and value of products traded is difficult as no countries separate organic
products in their trade statistics can be found. Segger (1997) estimated total current global trade in
organic produce to be US$11 billion, over US$4 billion of which takes place in the USA and
US$4.5 billion in Europe. With growth rates of 25-30%, he expected global value of organic trade
to reach US$100 billion by 2006. IIED (1997) estimated that the value of the organic premium to
developing countries in 1997 was US$500 million. The data clearly tells the value of trade is
increasing rapidly, and is far more than the market inflation.
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3.10 Household food security and expenditures
This section concerns how the income from organic farming was spent, who controlled it (men or
women), and how it contributed to household food security in terms of amounts and quality of food
purchased. In this regard we examine differences in men and womens priorities and perceptions.
We also examine changes in womens personal cash income since organic conversion because suchchanges affect food consumption in proportion to how much of these incomes women spend on
food.
Income earned by women
Few married women are operating their own pineapple plot in Terai region and some hilly districts
ofNepal (in addition to the family plot controlled by the husband) that allowed them to earn
personal income from pineapple sales. Apart from households headed by widows or divorcees,
most households in these areas, income is being governed by married women. In all cases this was
from a plot much smaller than that operated by the husband. It is noteworthy that the women had
not experienced a reduction in their personal income as a result of the increased emphasis onpineapple growing (by their husbands) since organic certification, although this issue was not
investigated in depth.
Ranking of how the revenue from pineapple is spent by the household (overall ranking from four
focus groups)
Source: focus group interview, October 2006 (EPOPA, 2007)
Similarly, coffee (the organic coffee) is being planted and marketed by many cooperatives in local
level or in international market in Nepal, the special pocket areas are Gulmi, Kabhrepalanchok,
Syngja, Arghakhachhi, Sindhupalanchok, and Dhading districts. As many males migrate seasonally
to India or to foreign countries for income generation or males may be involved in other
agricultural works rather intensively in organic coffee production; females are the regular farmer ofthe commodity.
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Ranking by men and women of how the income from coffee is spent by the household
The impact of income from coffee production and marketing is mainly goes to females in the case
of smallholders. The table below shows the impact of such income on livelihood of the household.
3.10 Change in farming system
Two types of transition to sustainable agriculture have been assessed: from modern or conventional
high-external input agriculture (such as farming in Green Revolution lands or in the industrializedcountries); and from traditional, rainfed agriculture where cereal yields have largely remained
constant over centuries. As these transitions are recent (within the past ten years), they provide
compelling evidence that similar improvements could occur elsewhere and that they could be
repeated on a larger scale.
The yield improvements by adopting organic farming differ according to whether agricultural
systems are in high-yielding (HY), medium-yielding (MY) and low-yielding (LY) countries. There
are currently 56 LY countries, 65 MY countries and 46 HY countries (countries with a very small
area under cereals were not included in the analysis).
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Changes in coffee management practices due to organic conversion
B.
The greatest increases following a transition to sustainable agriculture are in rainfed agriculture in
the lowest yield countries, where the average new yields for wheat, maize and sorghum-millet are
of the order of double the yields of conventional or pre-sustainable agriculture.
B. MACRO ELEMENTS
4. ECOSYSTEMS GOODS AND SERVICES
Organic agriculture provides a basis for maintaining environmental goods and services at the
farm and landscape level. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (2008), organicagriculture provides the following environmental goods and services.
Organic agriculture promotes ecological resilience, improved biodiversity, healthymanagement of farms and the surrounding environment, and builds on community knowledge
and strength. Hence, organic agriculture has been proved to be effective for enhanced
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adaptive capacity of farmers adversely affected by climate change.
Organic agriculture and environmental goods and services
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5. SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY
The sustainable production of food is the first pillar of food security. In this section we address twofundamental questions:
to food security, particularly at the local level, or can current andfuture populations be fed by sustainable agriculture?
The Sustainable Agriculture Programme of IIED has examined the extent and impact of sustainableagriculture in a selected number of countries, and used this empirical evidence to estimatesustainable agricultures potential contribution to global food production. Whilst we were aware
that many projects and programmes had improved agricultural yields, these data have never beencollated in one place.
The government and non-government programmes and projects have included in this analysis shareimportant common characteristics. They have:-conserving technologies in conjunction with group or collective
approaches to agricultural improvement and natural resource management;
-centred activities at the centre of their agenda - hence,these activities are occurring on local peoples terms, and so are more likely to persist after theprojects and programmes have ended;
-for-work to buy the participation of local people, or toencourage them to adopt particular technologies, and thus improvements are unlikely tofade away or simply disappear at the end of projects or programmes;
-processing, marketing, andother off-farm activities, thus creating employment and income-generating opportunities andretaining the surplus in the rural economy.
6. IMPLICATIONS AT NATIONAL LEVEL IN NEPAL
Despite the alarming impacts-both potential and realized of climate change on agriculture, there is
hardly any information available related to climate change, agriculture and organic agriculture in
Nepal. Organic agriculture is beginning to gain attention both in the Government and in the non-government sector these days. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) throughits district level offices has started working in organic agriculture but the efforts are still
not adequate. The ministry has already finalized the organic agriculture standard forcertification for Nepal.
The Government of Nepal through the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology
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(MoEST) is going to prepare a National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) for Nepal.
Though it is not yet clear how the government is going to prepare the NAPA, the involvement ofMoAC and other non-governmental organizations in the process of NAPA formulation is vital for
the integration of organic agriculture and adaptation related issues.
7. COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
Organic agriculture is based on ecological processes; knowledge of the agro-ecosystem is thus a
pre-requisite to any organic farm. Farmers with a traditional knowledge base are potentially better
able to develop ecological processes to respond to the effects of climate change and some other
changes in soil environment and farm productivity. Community knowledge represents a process of
learning as much as a single body of information. Traditional knowledge is not just a system for the
present, but a source of institutional memory about what practices have worked best over time.
Such knowledge has been described as a reservoir of adaptations, a whole set of practices that
may be used again if the need arises (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2008). Organic
agriculture has promoted improved soil quality and efficient water use, agro-ecosystems and strong
community knowledge processes which in turn help to improve farm resilience against the adverse
impacts of climate change and strengthen farms adaptive capacity.
8. CONCLUSION
The impact of organic agriculture in Nepal has been reviewed and some major and some minorchanges have been known due to the adoption of organic agriculture in Nepal.
The major elements that has made changes over the social and environmental aspects of Nepal and
Nepalese agriculture economy are: changes in income of farmers due to premium price of organicproduct, changes in soil environment especially improving the soil flora and fauna activity andmaking soil more productive lessening the soil pollution, changes in household economy, changesin female income and expenditure pattern, improvements in biodiversity, reduction of agriculturalinput costs, and utilization of local resources.
The macro elements changes due to the adoption of organic agriculture are social change, croppingpattern shifts, farm environment improvements, farmer health hazard reduction, and so on.
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