Concepts on agro-environmental initiatives in Nepal

1. Concepts on agro-environmental initiatives in Nepal Madhu Subedi Sohan Ghimire

2. Physiographic map of Nepal http://newworldatlas.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/nepal-physiography.html

4. Problems • High slope • high soil & water erosion – low soil fertility • High run off – low ground water recharge – low soil moisture low crop production • Degraded environment (vegetation, water sources, soil qualities) • Subsistent farming – low market awareness – poor income generation • Poverty

5. Project conceptualised Income generation through innovative farming practices and natural resources management

6. Approach adopted to tackle this problem • Increase water availability through rain water and waste water taping • Improve soil fertility through increasing compost production and plant materials • Reducing run-off and soil-water erosion through the use of hedgerows • Improve income generation through cash crops production and goat rearing

7. Treatment effects • Rain water harvest: Provides drinking and irrigation water; reduce runoff - reduce soil-water erosion – reduce eutrophication of rivers and lakes; reduce soil fertility losses; Improves crop production • Hedgerows: Offers barrier to run off water - reduce runoff - improves infiltration – increase ground water recharge; Reduce soil-water erosion – reduce eutrophication of rivers and lakes; Improves soil fertility; Improves crop production; produce fodder for farm animal – mulch for crops – firewood for household use – materials for composting – reduce drudgery. • Compost: Improves soil quality; improves infiltration – increase ground water recharge – reduce runoff; Reduce soil-water erosion; Improves crop production. • Cash crops: Improves family health; improves farm production; improves household income. • Goat rearing: Improves family health; improves farm production; improves household income; improves manure production – soil fertility.

8. Treatment effects

9. Inter-relationship and complementarities of the proposed activities

10. Plan • To implement in remote hilly areas of Nepal • Gulmi district of western region • Bajura district of far western region • Collaborators • SAHAS, Nepal. • LI-BIRD, Nepal. • USC-Canada in Nepal. • James Hutton Institute, UK • Duration: 3 years

11. Physiographic map of Nepal http://newworldatlas.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/nepal-physiography.html

12. Plan • To implement in remote hilly areas of Nepal • Gulmi district of western region • Bajura district of far western region • Collaborators • SAHAS, Nepal. • LI-BIRD, Nepal. • USC-Canada in Nepal. • James Hutton Institute, UK • Duration: 3 years

13. Inspiration Intrigued by the idea of rain water harvest, we are conceptualising a project entitled - ‘Rainwater harvesting to provide safe drinking water to school children’

14. Water: availability and problems • Most hilly remote areas in Nepal suffer from water shortage. • People use water from open sources (springs, wells, rivers) • These sources dry out during dry season and remain turbid and polluted in rainy season. Despite this, people are bound to use them in the absence of appropriate alternatives. • School children are even more affected: • either they have to travel long distance for water, or • drink polluted/contaminated water (if available) • Water borne diseases pose serious public health problem in Nepal.

15. Rainwater harvesting Three basic components of a rainwater harvesting system: catchment (1), delivery system (2), storage (3). Worm J. and Hattum T., 2006

16. Rain water storage structure: a local design

17. Concepts Rain water harvesting (RWH) system for 5 primary schools. In order to maximise the benefit of infrastructure development following other activities will be conducted simultaneously; • Awareness creation about water-borne diseases and importance of safe drinking water • Inter-project visit for management committee members to enhance mutual learning • Training on management and maintenance of RWH system • Evaluation and learning for future.

18. The James Hutton Institute Vision “We will be a world leader in research and engagement to deliver evidence-based solutions to the global challenges facing land and natural resource use both now and in the future”.

19. The James Hutton Institute Mission “ To deliver the highest quality integrated and innovative science that contributes knowledge, products and services to meet the multiple demands on land and natural resources”.