Geographical Condition: Nepal, predominantly a mountainous, agrarian and landlocked country, has an area of 147,181 sq.km. with a population of about 22.3 million. It is geographically divided into three geo-ecological zones: Mountain (4,877m – 8,848 m above the mean sea level), Hills (610 m – 4,877m), and Terai (59 m – 610m).
The Terai region, a low flat land, is an extension of the Gangetic plains of India. It is a narrow tropical belt occupying 23 percent of the country’s total land area providing dwelling to 49.06 percent of the total population. About 40 percent area of the region is cultivable. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Geographical Condition
2. Socio-economic Life in the Nepalese Mountains
3. Agricultural Aspect
4. Policy Regime
5. Evaluation of Past Policies
6. Mountain Development Issues in Policies
7. Farmers’ Rights, World Trade Organization (WTO) and Nepal
8. Conclusion
9. Suggestions
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the socio-economic conditions and agricultural challenges faced by mountain communities in Nepal, while examining the impact of national policies and global trade frameworks on their livelihoods and food security.
- Analysis of Nepal's geographical zones and their impact on agriculture.
- Evaluation of current socio-economic status and poverty levels in mountain regions.
- Assessment of existing agricultural policies and their effectiveness in mountain development.
- Investigation of the implications of WTO membership and farmers' rights for indigenous mountain farming.
- Formulation of strategic suggestions for sustainable mountain development and resource management.
Excerpt from the Book
Geographical Condition
Nepal, predominantly a mountainous, agrarian and landlocked country, has an area of 147,181 sq.km. with a population of about 22.3 million. It is geographically divided into three geo-ecological zones: Mountain (4,877m – 8,848 m above the mean sea level), Hills (610 m – 4,877m), and Terai (59 m – 610m).
The Terai region, a low flat land, is an extension of the Gangetic plains of India. It is a narrow tropical belt occupying 23 percent of the country’s total land area providing dwelling to 49.06 percent of the total population. About 40 percent area of the region is cultivable.
The Hill region consists of several peaks, fertile valleys and basins. ‘Mahabharat Range’, the largest hill range passes through the region. The region accounts for 42 percent of the country’s land area. One tenth of the land area is suitable for cultivation. Around 44.3 percent of the country’s total population resides in the region (NYB, 2001). Since the region comprised of broad complex of hills and valleys, very steep slope, even up to 30 degrees, is terraced for farming (Rajbhandari, 1999).
The mountain region covers about 35 percent of the total area of the kingdom, out of which only about two percent of the land is cultivable. Almost all major rivers of the country originate here. The region is consecrated with nine out of the 14 world’s highest peaks that rise above 8000 meters. The region is thinly populated with 7.3 percent of the country’s total population (CBS, 2001). The major occupation in the region is yak and sheep farming. Different dairy products are made from the milk of chauri. The high mountains are mainly used for grazing sheep and yak.
Summary of Chapters
Geographical Condition: This chapter outlines Nepal's unique topographical structure, dividing the country into Mountain, Hill, and Terai zones, and explains the resulting implications for settlement and land use.
Socio-economic Life in the Nepalese Mountains: This section details the economic hardships faced by mountain communities, focusing on high poverty rates, limited infrastructure, and the vital role of biodiversity.
Agricultural Aspect: This chapter examines agriculture as the mainstay of the economy, discussing production trends for major food and cash crops and the limitations of farming due to inaccessibility.
Policy Regime: This part reviews the history of planned development in Nepal, highlighting the shift toward economic liberalization and the objectives of the Agricultural Perspective Plan (APP).
Evaluation of Past Policies: This chapter critically assesses why previous developmental efforts have failed, pointing to issues like land fragmentation, environmental degradation, and declining agricultural productivity.
Mountain Development Issues in Policies: This section argues that despite various government initiatives, specific policies for mountain development remain insufficient and often fail to address local needs.
Farmers’ Rights, World Trade Organization (WTO) and Nepal: This chapter explores the potential risks and opportunities for Nepalese farmers within the WTO framework, particularly regarding intellectual property rights and traditional knowledge.
Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, emphasizing that while mountain areas possess significant potential, current policies must be restructured to foster sustainable human development.
Suggestions: This final section provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, including the need for mountain-specific development strategies and legal protections for biodiversity.
Keywords
Mountain agriculture, Nepal, Poverty alleviation, Socio-economic, Agricultural policy, Biodiversity, WTO, Farmers' rights, Sustainable development, Food security, Land reform, Economic liberalization, Traditional knowledge, Cash crops, Rural development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The publication focuses on the agricultural, economic, and policy-related challenges specifically affecting the mountain regions of Nepal, emphasizing the disconnect between national planning and the needs of mountain communities.
Which thematic areas are covered in the book?
Key areas include geographical analysis, socio-economic status, agricultural production, past policy evaluations, and the implications of global trade agreements like the WTO on local farming systems.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to highlight the neglect of mountain regions in policy-making and to propose a strategic, mountain-specific development framework that ensures sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
Which scientific methods or analytical approaches are used?
The author uses secondary data analysis, including statistical records from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and various government policy documents, to evaluate the socio-economic and agricultural performance of the mountain regions.
What does the main body of the text address?
The main body systematically reviews the environmental constraints, the prevalence of poverty, the reliance on subsistence farming, the shortcomings of previous government plans, and the emerging challenges posed by globalization and trade liberalization.
Which keywords best describe this study?
The most descriptive keywords are mountain agriculture, Nepal, socio-economic deprivation, WTO, agricultural policy, and sustainable development.
How does the WTO membership affect mountain farmers in Nepal?
The author argues that WTO agreements like TRIPS and the Agreement on Agriculture threaten traditional knowledge and livelihoods by prioritizing commercial monoculture and failing to protect farmers' rights to seed exchange and local crop varieties.
Why is the "Mountain specific" approach necessary?
A mountain-specific approach is necessary because broad, nationwide policies fail to account for the unique geological, cultural, and socio-economic realities of the mountain and hill regions, leading to ineffective implementation and increased marginalization.
- Quote paper
- Pravin Gautam (Author), 2002, Mountain Farming and Policies: Nepalese Perspective , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/177250
