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What does the future hold?: intensive mountain agriculture in Nepal
Sandra Brown |
| Within the Middle Mountains of Nepal, a shift from
dominantly subsistence based staple crop agriculture to
more intensive rotations and a market based focus over a
short time frame prompted the concern to examine the
sustainability of these farming systems. The increased
demands for nutrients, water and labour prompted the
research team to quantify these changes using GIS and
nutrient balance modelling, and to look for management
options. Historic land use indicates significant
deforestation from 1950-1970, afforestation in the
1980s, and limited net change in 1996-2004, but recent
land use intensification. Nutrient balance modelling
highlights the ability of Nepalese mountain farmers to
adapt with the changing market system, but nutrient
depletion under expanded market crop production must be
addressed if production is to be maintained. Initiatives
combining water harvesting, drip irrigation and
off-season vegetable production have demonstrated water
savings, labour reduction and a livelihood option for
small scale, low-income farmers.
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