Assessment of Fertilizer Policy, Farmers’ Perceptions and Implications for Future Agricultural Development in Nepal

Abstract

<p>This paper assesses the origins of and changes to fertilizer policy in Nepal over a period of time. It assesses farmers’ awareness of the recent changes to the subsidy policy and examines their perceptions of the extension services. This paper looks at the environmental implications of the concentrated application of chemical fertilizer, particularly as far as food security is concerned. Questionnaire surveys, group discussions, a workshop, soil analyses and archival materials were used to collect data for this study. Changes in fertilizer policy have occurred in four different phases: (i) without subsidy; (ii) with subsidy; (iii) with deregulation of fertilizer trade; and (iv) the current phase of subsidies for fertilizer. However, timely and effective fertilizer distribution by the government has always been a problem. Only few farmers (12 %) know about recent changes in the fertilizer policy; most of them (44 %) were satisfied with the new subsidy scheme. Valid proof of land ownership is a requirement for qualifying for subsidized fertilizer, and this makes it difficult for some small farmers who are tenant. The soil analysis indicated a significant decrease in the soil pH as a result of intensified agriculture. One reason is due to the intensive use of chemical fertilizers and the declining use of farmyard manure. The ineffectiveness of the extension services also influences farmers’ use of fertilizer as they are not aware of which fertilizer and how much to use. The use of fertilizer may increase yields in the short term, but in the longer term, it may worsen the food insecurity in the country.</p>

Changing Trends in Cultivation Practices and Adoption of Climate Adaptive Farming in Eastern Nepal

“…While few other crops were found not cultivated in those areas due to the lack of manpower, market and economic benefit. In contrast, the adoption of various crops and use of agro-inputs in farming were influenced by infrastructural development together with adoption of GR in other studies (Brown and Shrestha, 2000;Brown and Kennedy, 2005;Raut et al, 2011;Raut et al, 2012). With introduction of higher yielding varieties of crops and vegetables, the traditional varieties of rice and maize are in process of disappearing with few of the varieties already non-existent from these regions.…”

Knowing and Doing: The Perception of Subsidy Policy and Farmland Transfer

“…Several studies also revealed that knowing the policy affects the practice of farmland transfer, which is in accordance with our results. For example, Raut and Sitaula [48] found that, when 12% of the farmers knew about a change in the fertilizer policy, 44% of those with that knowledge were willing to adjust their modes of agricultural production and operations. As Meng [47] observed, some farmers who received subsidies abandoned the opportunity to immigrate to cities.…”

“…Meng stated that the grain subsidy policy prevents farmers from leaving rural areas; therefore, more farmers are reluctant to conduct farmland outflow. Raut and Sitaula [48] examined the perception of fertilizer subsidy policy in Nepal based on data from a survey conducted in 1038 households. They stated that, although only a few farmers are aware of the changes in the subsidy policy, most of them are satisfied and would take action to expand production to make the policy effective.…”

The Local Environmental, Economic and Social Tragedies of International Interventions on Community Based Forest Management for Global Environmental Conservation: A Critical Evaluation

“…Traditionally, many varieties of local vegetables, herbs, spices and other food crops and breeds of livestock were sustained on the forest resources and livestock compost. Some of the plant species are chemical fertilizer intolerant (Raut et al, 2012).…”

“…Crop varieties suitable in less productive and rain-fed land are disappearing from communities as farm manure production or availability decreased with the restrictions on forest use for livestock production and mobility. The land is either abandoned for cropping or put to other uses because of decreasing farm manure supplies and increasing fertilizer prices (Raut et al, 2012). Loss of vegetable species susceptible to fertilizer is natural in the shortage of farm manure as it happened in England in 1960s (Robinson & Sutherland, 2002).…”