UNCCD

Sustainable Farming in the Sloping Lands [Nepal]

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Reporting Entity: Nepal

Clarify if the technology described in the template, or a part of it, is covered by property rights: Yes

Comments: Most of the land occupied by the hil farmers is not registered and they do not have land title in their name. Most of the land has customary right, meaning that the people living in that area were there from generations.

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Completeness: 77%

General Information

General Information

Title of best practice:

Sustainable Farming in the Sloping Lands

Country:

Nepal

Reporting Entity:

Nepal

Property Rights

Clarify if the technology described in the template, or a part of it, is covered by property rights:

Yes

Please provide relevant information on the holder of the rights:

Most of the land occupied by the hil farmers is not registered and they do not have land title in their name. Most of the land has customary right, meaning that the people living in that area were there from generations.

Specifications

Section 1. Context of the best practice: frame conditions (natural and human environment)

Short description of the best practice

Under this practices sloping agriculture land technology (SALT-2 and SALT-4) were applied. In the sloping terrain fruits, fodder trees and broom brass were planted. Hedge row farming and alley cropping were applied. Different methods of agro-forestry practices were applied as necessary depending on site condition and specific condition of the farmers.

Location

Makawanpur District, Nepal

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Tropical to subtropical
Altitude ranges between 600 and 1800 meters. About 90% of the annual rainfall in the area occurs between May and September.
The soils of suborder Ochrepts and Haplustalfs (order: Alfisoles) are common in south facing areas.The soils, mostly in the steep slopes are prone to frequent landslides and gully erosion. The soil is of medium to light texture with a pre-dominance of course-grained sand and gravel of very high permeability. The soil reaction is moderately to strongly acidic. The organic matter, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus contents vary from low to medium attributing to low to medium soil fertility.

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Income level of household was significantly increased and out migration from that area slowed down.
Main source of household income is from the sale of fruits, and broom grass.
Most of the property rights of the land belong to the government. However, people are living in those areas from generation and practicing their age-old slash and burn agricultural practices. Although land belongs to the government people are using the land on customary basis. There is some fro of conflict on property rights issues because of the property right issues.

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

It is found that this practice is suitable in hilly areas with steep slopes. When fruits and, fodder and grass planted in the sloping lands it reduced soil erosion, landslides by retaining moisture in the land and also stopping soil moving from hill. Increased biomass in the form of fodder and grass significantly help to raise and expand the goat farming which is one of the best source for household protein requirement as well as for earning cash income from the sell of goats. When the fruits were harvested it quickly provided income through the sale of fruits mainly from bananas.

Section 2. Problems addressed (direct and indirect causes) and objectives of the best practice

Main problems addressed by the best practice

Main problem addressed by the best practice is soil erosion, rehabilitation of degraded watershed, addressing food insecurity, addressing poverty and ultimately contribution to the environment.

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

Main land degradation problem addressed by this best practice is reducing soil erosion, halting deforestation and improved watershed condition.

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Main objective of this best practice is to:
• reduce environmental degradation,
•improve socio-economic condition of Chepang community,
•improve forest condition,
•improve production and improve livelihoods and well-being of local people.

Section 3. Activities

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

This best practice was developed and implemented by Manohari Development Institute, Makawanpur, Nepal. Slash and burn practices with long fallow period is considered good for sustainable farming practices, however, with the growing population, and with ever increasing demand and short fallow period, the slash and burn practices is considered worst especially triggering erosion on sloping land and growing forest degradation.
Under this practices sloping agriculture land technology (SALT-2 and SALT-4) were applied. In the sloping terrain fruits, fodder trees and broom brass were planted. Hedge row farming and alley cropping were applied. Different methods of agro-forestry practices were applied as necessary depending on site condition and specific condition of the farmers. After few years of implementation of this practice farmers are now earning income through the sale of grass and fruit.

Section 4. Institutions/actors involved (collaboration, participation, role of stakeholders)

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Manohari Devleopment Institute Nepal |Khop Narayan Shrestha
New Manakamana Road, Hetauda-2, Makawanpur
New Manakamana Road, , Narayani zone

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

This best practice was implemented under the GEF Small Grant Programme through UNDP. The technology was developed by Manohari Development Institute under the collaboration with local people.

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

  • National initiative – non-government-led
  • International initiative

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

Local community especially the Chepang Community

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

Local communities were involved in programme planning, implementation and use of benefits. Local communities provided their voluntary labor and help during the implementation of this project. Local people are now aware to improve their environment by themselves and at the same time improve their household income.

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

By means of what?
  • Consultation
  • Participatory approaches

Analysis

Section 5. Contribution to impact

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

Socio-economic condition of local people was largely improved through the income earned from the sale of grass, fruits and cereal crops.
Local environment nd watershed condition was greatly improved through greenery development and better watershed condition.
Out-migration trend was reduced
Production of biomass especially grass and vegetation was increased. Production of fruits, vegetable and cereals crops were increased.

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

People from other area now visiting this area and applying this techniques in their area.
Emplacement was generated through increase in the transaction of economic activities in downstream town area through sale of products.

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

Through the implementation of this best practice there was marked improvement in the biophysical condition of the area. About 400 hectares of land were sustainably managed and improved bio-mass helped in Co2 sequestration. Likewise about 2000 families were benefited from this initiatives.

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Section 6. Adoption and replicability

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Yes

Specify which type of incentives:
  • Financial incentives (for example, preferential rates, State aid, subsidies, cash grants, loan guarantees, etc)

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

Main condition to the success of this best practice is homogenous local community so it helped to implement the practice with consensus.
Outside technical and financial help was very instrumental in mobilizing local people.
Dedicated project team was very helpful/

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?
  • Local
  • Sub-national
  • National

Section 7. Lessons learned

Related to human resources

To develop and implement any such best practice trained technical manpower and local community participation is most.

Related to technical aspects

Blending of local indigenous technology and knowledge with scientific knowledge and technology is equally essential.

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