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Environmental Resources And Prospective Agriculture In Madhesh Region For Nation Building

Environmental Resources And Prospective Agriculture In Madhesh Region For Nation Building. Shree Govind Shah Environment Planning and Policy Analyst Conference on the Role of NGOs/INGOs in Developing Madhesh Organized by Non-Resident Madheshis Association 14-15 November 2011

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Environmental Resources And Prospective Agriculture In Madhesh Region For Nation Building

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  1. Environmental Resources And Prospective Agriculture In Madhesh Region For Nation Building Shree Govind Shah Environment Planning and Policy Analyst Conference on the Role of NGOs/INGOs in Developing Madhesh Organized by Non-Resident Madheshis Association 14-15 November 2011 Kathmandu, Nepal

  2. Presentation • 1. Physical Setting • 2. Biological Resources • 3. Land and Human Resources • 4. Water Resources • 5. Environmental Concerns • 6. Climate Change context • 7. Agriculture • 8. Development Partners & INGOs/NGOs • 9. The Way Forward

  3. 1. Physical Setting • The correspondence between king Jay Prakash Malla and Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1757 stated Madhesh region as resourceful and rich • Madhesh Region, if denotes Gangetic Plain, is a well defined ecological region • In 1963, 20 Tarai districts were restructured Land Area: 34,100 sq km (23.1% of country’s landmass) Mid mountain 1,361 sq km (4.0%, up to 2,058 m in Dang) Siwalik 9,671sq km (28.3%) Tarai Plain 23,068 sq km (67.7%, 61-244 m) Ecologically heterogeneous districts

  4. Physical Setting- Cont • Tarai districts could be stratified into 4 strata • Siwalik and mid mountain • East-West Highway Section • Middle part of a district • Southern part adjoining the Indian border • There is variation on physical features, biological resources, water resources, ethnicity composition, accessibility, socio-economic infrastructures and facilities, transport and marketing, drainage etc • The 1st strata is ecologically sensitive and vulnerable • The 4th strata is vulnerable to inundation; increasing water logging condition due to the construction of elevated East-West Highways, embankment, dykes, barrage etc – e.g. Mahalisagar, Marchawar embankments, Baigania Road Bund, Lotan-Rasiawal-Khurd Bund, Laxmanpur Barrage etc

  5. Administrative Map of Nepal

  6. Satellite map of Nepal - physical

  7. Physiographic regions

  8. TARAI DISTRICTS Districts Mountain/Siwalik Madheshi Population (2001) Nawal Parasi 77.5 % 42.3 % Dang 65.2% 33.4 % Chitwan 51.5 % 15.3 % Banke 51.8 % 61.3 % Bardia 31.2 % 61.3 % Kailali 40.6 % 43.2 % Parsa 34.9% 87.7 % Saptari 23.3 % 93.5 % Siraha 22.6 % 89.8 % Dhanusha 26.1 % 91.0 % Morang 19.2 % 47.5 % Kapilbast u 16.2 % 62.4 % Mahotari 15.8 % 87.2 % Rupandehi 15.1 % 58.7 % Sarlahi 13.9 % 77.5 % Bara 13.5 % 84.0 % Kanchanpur 11.9 % 31.7 % Sunsari 8.9 % 58.7 % Rauthat 7.5 % 88.4 %

  9. 2. Biological Resources • Much of the Madhesh Region were forested with intact wildlife habitat till the 1st quarter of 20th century • Deforestation and wildlife habitat loss initiated and increased on large scale: • Intensified forest logging and clear felling from late 19th century to 1940s for timber supply to India • Large-scale population shift from hills and mountains in 1950s-1970s, voluntarily and non-voluntarily, destroyed much of the forests • Tarai districts lost 25% of its forests compared to 4% in hills between 1964 and 1978; lost 99,400 ha between 1978 and 1990 • Charkoshe Jhadi in Madhesh virtually disappeared

  10. Biological Resources - Cont • In 1990, forest area in Tarai districts 1.41 M ha • Protected area covered 316,000 ha (22.5%) • Buffer Zone of PA 207,900 ha (14.8%) • Government of community managed forests covered 881,700 ha (62.7%) • The 2010 estimates indicate 652,400 ha forests in Tarai districts of which about 322,100 ha is in Madhesh plain • There appears to be a strong correlation between political change/unrest/bad governance and deforestation • Quality of government managed forests in terms of timber and useful products is very poor

  11. Biological Resources - Cont Accessibility of forests to local community in strata III & IV is negligible or practically non-existent Protected areas cover riverine floodplains, Siwaliks with tropical vegetation and savannah grasslands; a good habitat for ungulates, rhino, Bengal tiger, crocs, birds and other herpetofauna; good biodiversity; but urgently requires vegetation enhancement Forest degradation brings about a chain of environmental negatives in agriculture in hills as well as in Tarai

  12. 3. Land and Human Resources • Tarai districts cover 23.1% (34,100 sq km) of country’s landmass of which about 68% is plain area • 51.5% (1.41 M ha) of country’s net cultivated land (2.64 M ha) lies in Tarai districts • 45.1% of country’s net cultivated land is in Madhesh plain area • In 1971, 36.7% of country’s population lived in Tarai districts which increased to 48.4% in 2001; the current estimate in 2011 is 50.2% • Population density increased from 124.4 persons/sq km in 1971 to 392 persons/sq km in 2011 Increasing pressure on land, forest and water reduces ecosystem services and affects average agriculture productivity and production

  13. 4. Water Resource

  14. Water Resources - Cont Irrigation Infrastructure in Tarai districts • Irrigation infrastructures developed till 2008 have the command area of 970,350 ha (72% of irrigable land) during wet season • Between 1997 and 2008, annually about 12,000 ha old irrigation facilities were rehabilitated and some new facilities were developed • In the last 15 years, no major new irrigation projects have been implemented; NPC had the target of developing 249,400 ha irrigation facility in the country during the 9th Plan (1997-2002) and the achievement was only 42.6%, which also included rehabilitation of old irrigation systems.

  15. Water Resources - Cont • Most of the surface irrigation facilities use southern rivers originating in mid mountains and Siwaliks which have negligible discharge between November and mid June • Irrigation projects on snow-fed rivers (Koshi, Narayani and Mahakali) cover 111,000 ha, but they are not fully operational • The planned net area of five large projects (Sunsari-Morang, Western Koshi, Narayani, Kamala and Bagmati) was 199,400 ha while the area irrigated was 108,400 in wet season and 44, 775 ha in winter season in 1997. It is in bad shape now requiring major maintenance and rehabilitation • A large number of irrigation systems now require rehabilitation; budget allocation is negligible

  16. Water Resources - Cont • Irrigation Efficiency • The national Policies and Plans state government commitment to farmer controlled year round irrigation for enhanced agriculture production??? • However, almost all surface water irrigation facilities are designed to provide supplementary irrigation for the main crop in monsoon • In 2000, surface irrigation system provided irrigation to 78% of its command area in monsoon, 28% in winter and less than 2% in spring

  17. Water Resources - Cont • Groundwater irrigation started in mid 1970s with the grant assistance of USAID, World Bank, UNDP and JICA. ADBN and IDE were involved in shallow tube wells and treadle pumps; subsidy was provided • Groundwater facilities developed by 2000 had a command area of 220,750 ha of which 82.4% was shallow tube well and 17.6% deep tube well • Groundwater irrigation system provides irrigation to 60% of its command area in wet season, 63% in winter and 22% in spring

  18. Water Resources - Cont Groundwater Potential in Madhesh Region • An estimated 10,500 million cubic meter of groundwater recharge is spread over Tarai region • The potential command area of 1.53 M ha shallow tube well and 0.35 M ha deep tube well • On safe side groundwater could provide irrigation to 0.94-1.32 M ha; the total net cultivated land is 1.34 M ha Sustainability of the irrigation system has been a big challenge. Most of the surface irrigation systems need rehabilitation. Increasing sediment load on arable land through irrigation canals is a big environmental problem. Salinity problem might emerge in groundwater irrigation system – Deep Tube Well

  19. 5. Environment Concerns The weakening condition of agricultural resource base (land, water, forest, manpower) and shifting/changing climatic attributes (temperature, precipitation) adversely affect farming operation and farm production. • Degradation of farmland is occurring in Tarai plains mostly due to: • Unsuitable crop farming on slopes in Siwaliks and mid mountain • Declining soil fertility; reduction in soil organic matter and decline in biomass carbon • Intensive farming causing nutrient depletion; excessive and unwise application of agrochemicals destroy soil micro-organism resulting loss of soil fertility

  20. Environment Concerns -Cont Water related Concerns • Flooding, river shifting, riverbank cutting, water logging, formation of river damaged area • The bed level of rivers in Tarai is rising 35-45 cm annually • LRMP in 1986 estimated rivers damaging more than 40,000 ha agricultural land in Nepal • The conservative estimate of the area affected by flood in Tarai plain is 8,900 sq km (26% of total area) • Water logging in strata IV and other areas during monsoon is estimated to be 290 sq km

  21. 6. Climate Change Context Climate change and agriculture are inter-related process, affecting each other, if unwisely managed • The major climatic concerns are • Higher temperature increments in late winter and early spring; Sharply increasing temperatures in spring; hot waves in late spring and summer • Heavy sky overcast and drooping temperatures in winter; dense fog; intense cold waves • Shift in precipitation pattern by about 3-4 weeks; traditional rainfalls of mid June to mid July have been shifted to mid July and mid August. Affect paddy cultivation • Increase in rainfall intensity; erratic rainfall pattern; decrease in winter rainfall; Decreased water availability • Extreme events of draught and floods • New or changed insect pest evidence

  22. Climate Change Context -Cont • Climate change vulnerability is high to very high in Saptari, Siraha, Mahotari, Dhanusha, Parsa and Chitwan • Affects agriculture • Increasing temperature and moisture stress affect wheat and similar crop; low quality grain, low yield • Dense fog, cold waves, heavy overcast damage winter vegetable crops, pulses and oil seeds; estimated crop loss of 28-38% annually in 1987-1997 • Decreased water availability at early stage and flooding in late stage affects paddy cultivation; land left fallow due to moisture deficit • Increased CO2 concentration would reduce water use and plant uptake of nitrogen High risks to food security, livelihoods and social development

  23. 7. Agriculture • Historically, Madhesh region was considered as ‘bread basket’ for the country, exporting food grains and other farm products till the late 1970s. • Since early 1980s, Nepal including Tarai districts became a consistent net importer of cereals • Nepal consistently import cereals, vegetables, fruits, milk products and meat, that imbalances and burdens national economy; overall food trade deficit reached 31% in 2007 • Tarai districts were self sufficient in cereal grain production till the early 2000s; since 2007 seven districts (35% of total) Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahotari, Sarlahi and Rauthat are listed as food deficit districts; 15 districts in hills and mountains (27.3% of total) are food deficit

  24. Agriculture - Cont • The agriculture sector in Nepal: constitute more than 34% of GDP and employ nearly 75% of Nepal’s labour force • Paddy and wheat are mainly produced in the Tarai districts, with area shares of 71% and 58% respectively, and production shares of 74% and 71% respectively. • Production growth rates of both paddy and wheat show a significant decline in the period 2000/01–2008/09 compared to the 1990s • The productivity level of cereals is low, and growth has been sluggish; paddy 3.0mt/ha, wheat 2.4mt/ha; maize 2.3mt/ha • The supply of improved seeds, irrigation, fertiliser and other inputs is very low

  25. Agriculture - Cont • Public expenditure on agriculture has gradually declined since 1990 when the government implemented liberal economic system in the country • In 1995/96 government discontinued subsidies in fertilizers and irrigation (particularly in deep tube well and shallow tube well) as of the condition laid down by the Second Agriculture Program Loan (SAPL), ADB • Erratic subsidy policy, not matching with bordering India; high cost of cultivation encourages import • Cultivable land has even been declining in the face of booming urbanization, and industrial establishment • Unscientific land reform policy and land fragmentation discourages inputs application and mechanization

  26. Agriculture - Cont • Human and animal labour is the dominant source of farm power; a large majority of farm households lacking even basic modern farm implements • In 2001, 26% farm households used iron plough, 8.2% used tractors, 7.5% used a thresher, and 6.3% used a pumping set in Nepal. Most of these are used in Tarai • Farm operations (planting, weeding, harvesting etc) are done by labour; labour shortage due to outmigration • Educated people avoid farming and adopt other profession • Lack of rural electrification and power supply constrain use of on-farm and off-farm agricultural equipment such as electrical pumps, modern threshers, milling plants, and so on.

  27. 8. Development Partners & INGOs/NGOs • Development Partners and Bilateral • World Bank, ADB, UNDP, USAID, UNCDF, India and Saudi have been involved in irrigation development • USAID, FAO, World Bank, ADB and JICA are involved in agriculture development • ADB and World Bank assisted agriculture commercialization projects mostly cover hill districts; very few Tarai districts • INGOs • International Development Enterprises/Nepal (IDE/Nepal) has been involved in Treadle pumps and low-cost drip irrigation • The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) are involved in agriculture research

  28. Development Partners &.. - Cont • NGOs/CBOs • There are very few NGOs/CBOs involved in irrigation, agriculture, environment, climate change and forestry sector; scant information is available • Most of them work in social sector, governance system and human rights, health/sanitation and drinking water sector

  29. 9. The Way Forward Tarai districts have comparative advantage in cereals, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, tropical fruits, vegetables, and pond fisheries. • Tarai districts share 74% paddy, 71% wheat,74% pulses,76% oil seeds, 99% sugarcane, 57% vegetables, 72% tropical fruits, 39% milk and 42% meat production in the country • Without substantially developing agriculture in Tarai, Nepal can not solve food security problem and overcome food trade deficit in the country • There is an urgent need to develop, approve and sensibly implement appropriate policies, strategies and action plans in agriculture sector • Mainstream current national development policies and programmes (GON + Donor assisted) in Tarai districts

  30. The Way Forward -Cont • Irrigation • Rehabilitation and expansion of FMIS focusing improvement in head-water infrastructures and revitalizing AMIS canal system • Construction of small to large surface irrigation projects • Implementation of river basin transfer and multipurpose storage projects for increasing water availability in winter and spring • Maximize groundwater development in the private sector with the provision of subsidy, power supply and physical & biological enhancement in Siwaliks • Irrigation and agriculture agencies should work together for managing irrigation water and its efficiency

  31. The Way Forward -Cont • Agriculture • Develop and implement appropriate policy for land consolidation and increasing farm size for input application and mechanization • Robust cereal production programme: substantial yield improvement through irrigation and other farm inputs • Identify best cash crop including vegetables opportunities for private and public sector investment • Support market-led cash crop and vegetable development adopting value-chain approach • Encourage educated and trained persons in agriculture sector with financial support; Promote commercial farming and expand agriculture commercialization programme in Tarai

  32. The Way Forward -Cont • Provision of technical assistance to improved seed producers with subsidy • Promote agro-processing industries at local level with incentives and subsidy • Encourage agro-based industries with incentives • Promote high value tropical fruit cultivation on commercial basis which could also be linked to environmental programme • Develop local level milk collection, chilling, storage and semi-processing facilities in Strata III and IV areas with technical assistance and incentives • Upgrade and develop wholesale agriculture market infrastructures

  33. The Way Forward -Cont • Invest on age-old Hulaki Sadak to increase all-the-year-round connectivity from east to west in Strata III and IV areas. • Establishment of fertilizer factory • Environment and Climate Change • Develop and implement land rehabilitation, riverbank erosion control, embankment and soil fertility enhancement programme – a long-term programme requiring appropriate participatory planning and a large investment • Revisit GON /Development partners/INGOs climate change adaptation framework and programme; develop appropriate activities for implementation; including research and extension on crop species adapted to moisture stress, temperature stress and floods.

  34. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME

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