Socio-economic development of Nepal relies on harnessing the potentials of tourism, handicrafts, non-timber forests, and high-value low-volume agricultural products, and human resources. Tourism and agriculture in Nepal are major elements in this development, acting as revenue generating industries with multiplier effects on the economy and significant employment capacity, which significantly contributes to GDP and rural income generation. Among the mid hill districts of Nepal, Bhaktapur maintains a high potential to benefit from the synergism between tourism, agro-farming, and handicrafts, giving it the internal elements necessary for socio-cultural development. As Bhaktapur has already been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, protection and renovation of ancient artistic monuments is essential. For the sustainable development of tourism and agro-eco tourism in Bhaktapur, as well as an umbrella policy of guidelines accompanied by national laws are to be formulated and implemented through communitybased management. In this way Bhaktapur can contribute to the long standing Nepalese desire for a nation building process by utilizing the competitive and comparative advantages of tourism and agriculture opportunities available in the district. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:12, Jun.2011, Page 59-66 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v12i0.7564

Economics of a farming system is the key determinant of its sustainability. Organic and conventional farming systems are two distinct types of production systems having contrasting farm management practices and output price as well. Furthermore, organic farming system is promoted for environmental protection and conventional farming system is cursed for the environmental degradation. The present study was conducted to compare the economics of organic and conventional vegetable production in Kathmandu valley. Thirty farmers each involved in commercial organic and conventional vegetable farming were selected randomly for the study. Data were collected through survey method using semi-structured questionnaire. The estimated per ropani per year cost of cultivation of vegetables in the organic farm (NPR 69,170) was lesser than in conventional farm (NPR 1,00,562). The gross return per ropani in a year in the organic vegetable farm (NPR 1,01,536) was significantly lesser than from conventional farms (NPR 1,35,747). Benefit to cost ratio (BCR) was higher in organic farm (1.47:1) in comparison to conventional farm (1.35:1). This study revealed that organic vegetable farming was more profitable than conventional vegetable farming in Kathmandu valley. To expand commercial agriculture: quality inputs, input and output price stability, co-operative or corporative marketing should be promoted.

This paper explores the assessment of rice and maize base cropping system in agro-ecological regions for sustainable rural livelihood development in Nepal. Analysis of 1994-2007 data showed rice-dominated cropping systems in the Plain region, as opposed to maize-dominated cropping systems in the Mountain and the Hill regions. The production increase was achieved mainly through increases in area. The growth in the yield of crops was very minimal in all three regions. During the last fifteen years, the cropping pattern changed slightly from Maize-Wheat to Maize-Paddy in the Mountain region, but no significant change was observed in the other two regions. The current rate of fertilizer application is lower than the recommended rate. Improved access to and availability of agricultural inputs is key to improve the production and yield of major food crops to achieve sustainable rural livelihood in the country.