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Agricultural Research and Extension Stations in Pokhara

and Lumle, Kaski district, Nepal

(Field Visit, observation and survey)Presentation By:Maheshwar Giri

National College,Center for Development Studies,

KathmanduEmail: maheshwar.giri@gmail.com

28th November 2011

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Introduction about Field Trip

Field Visit: 5 – 8th November 2011Field Area: Malepatan Agricultural Research Station, District livestock research centre, Kaski Regional Agriculture Research Centre, Lumle Kabita Gaun locality, Lumle

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Objectives of Field Visit

General Objective: To understand the status, structure and functions of governmental agricultural research and extension structures of Nepal.

Specific Objectives:• To observe and collect information about the

working mechanism of agriculture related government organization.

• To know the effectiveness, efficiency as well as constraints in service delivery.

• To recommend for effective service delivery.

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MethodologyPrimary Data collection: • Field Observation• Resource Person briefing• Questionnaire survey

Secondary Data Collection:References from books, magizines, internet

materials, CBS report, MoF annual economic survey, etc

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Technology

The technology of farming = " the way the farming is done”

• Increased agricultural production comes from new techniques or methods put into practice on farms

Technology

Technology Generation Technology Dissemination

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Technology Generation and NARCNepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) was established

in 1991 as an autonomous organization under "Nepal Agricultural Research Council Act - 1991" to conduct agricultural research in the country to uplift the economic level of the people.

Major Functions:• Conduct qualitative agricultural research required for

national agricultural policies,• Prioritize studies and researches to be conducted,• Provide research and consultancy services to the clients,• Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the agricultural research

activities in Nepal,• Document the research activities

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Organization chart of MoA extensions

Source: Ministry of Agriculture Nepal’s website

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Technology Generation Stations:

A. Malepatan Horticulture Research Stations:• Established in 1991 under NARC• Previously working as citrius research centre (2018) • Focuses on horticulture research and development.• Generation of Technology & few dissemination (on farm and

on site research)• Trainings to farmers• Special technical services to farmers regarding in-house

plastic farming of tomato, potato farming and production of organic coffee.

• In outreach research site-provide framework to work together for farmers;research extension;identify problems; village level workshop(VLW)

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Regional Agriculuture Research Station, Lumle

1111

• Technology generation focusing on livelihood

• Research prioritization,Coordination of NARS

• Policy advice to GON

Mandate

NARC Established in 1991

(Under NARC Act BS 2048) (Amendment of NARC Act BS 2053)

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NARC Research PriorityGuiding Principles

Agriculture Perspective Plan

Poverty Reduction Strategy/3Yr Int. Plan

NARC Vision 2021

National Agriculture Policy 2061

MDGs/WTO/SAFTA…

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Regional Directorates

(4)

CommodityPrograms (11+3=14)

Agricultural Research Stations(13)

Council (16)

Executive Board (8)

NARC HQ Executive Director• Dir., Planning & Coord.• Dir., Crops & Hort. Res.• Dir., Liv. & Fish. Res.• Dir., Admin.• Dir., Financial Admin.

NARI & NASRIDisciplinary Divisions

(8+5=13)

Organogram of Nepal Agricultural Research Council

Cross CuttingDivision/Units

(3+3)

Research on:

Crop rice, wheat, maize

Horticulture citrus, commercial vegetables, potato

Livestock bovine, small ruminant, livestock feed and agro-forestry

Cross cutting plant pathology, entomology, soil science, socio-economic, seed lab and biotechnology/tissue culture

Action research non-mandated commodities

Research on:

Crop rice, wheat, maize

Horticulture citrus, commercial vegetables, potato

Livestock bovine, small ruminant, livestock feed and agro-forestry

Cross cutting plant pathology, entomology, soil science, socio-economic, seed lab and biotechnology/tissue culture

Action research non-mandated commodities

Mandate and Research StrategyMandate and Research Strategy

Beside these issues this research station also works for food security and minimizing the negative impact of climate change.

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Major Works and achievement of station

• Research on breeding technology. Has been successful in providing breeding technology to the farmers through extension.

• Breeding technique for different agro climatic condition of Nepal identified and recommended

• Rearing technology of improved cattle and buffalo developed and handed over to the DLS in regular basis.

• Suitable pasture for high hills and mountain identified• Pasture Research: Varieties of Oat, Berseem & Napier in pipeline Technology for year round green fodder production developed Technology of plastic bag silage for dry period • Developed technology against different diseases : Eg. zoonotic

diseases, animal vaccination against diseases, etc

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NARC’s FinanceNARC budget=1 arab 6corore this year

Expense:• Staff=70%• Admin=10%

• Operational=20%Malepatan Horitculture Research station’s annual Buget

: 1 lakhChallenges and problem:

• Low bugdet for research activities• Low incentives to the staffs and researchers• Lack of effective coordination with farmers and

extension structures of Government

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Constraints

• Low Budget• Lack of effective and efficient Manpower• Lack of proper incentives to the researchers• Lack of well developed labs and laboratories• Security problems due to wild animals

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Agricultural Extension:District Agricultural Office:• Handles the works related to Agriculture Development…It

works as an Extension Unit…conducts surveys in the village - identification of problems - problems put forward to Research Centre - receives ideas about solutions and new technologies from the research centre - disseminates it among the villagers.

• Provides Mini-kit to farmers: Small packets of New variety of crops distributed to farmers, if beneficial…varieties are distributed in large scale

• helps in Pest control and proper use of fertilizers, along with increment in production through various trainings to farmers

• Publishes magazines in monthly basis regularly that provides information related to agricultures.

• Provides framers group with cheaper fertilizers, seeds, small irrigations, and many other facilities.

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Field Survey

• Sample Size : 5 HH• Location: Lumle VDC, Kabita gaun• Limitations:1. Small sample size2. Limited time for field survey3. Lack of secondary information

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Agriculture in lumleAgriculture is the secondary occupation(about 11%)Major crops: • Food Crops:- Rice, wheat, maize, millet• Cash crops:- Ginger, potato, tomato, etc

Vegetables farming is becoming the major source of agricultural income in the recent years.

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Calculation of Income indexHouseh

oldNo:

YEARLY EARNING (RS.)Agricultur

e Livestock Salary/ Wages Others Total Yearly income

(1$ = Rs.72)

HH 1 7,000 8,000 10,000 * 12=120,000 - Rs. 135,000($1875)

HH 2 - - 32,000*12 = 384,000 - Rs. 384,000($5,333.33)

HH 3 22,000 5,000 7500*12 = 90,000 - Rs. 117,000($1625)

HH 4 60,000 10,000 2500* 12 = 30,000 20,000 Rs. 120,000($1,666.66)

HH 5 10,000 2000 - 150,000 Rs. 162,000($2,250)

Total: Rs. 99,000 Rs. 25,000 Rs. 624,000 Rs. 170,000 Rs.918,000($ 12,750)

Average Per Capita Income: $12,750/5 = $2550

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Income Index (II)= log (PC) – log (0) = log(2250) - log (0) log (40,000)- log (0) log (40,000) -log (0) = 3.35- 1 = 2.35 = 0.653 4.6 -1 3.6The average per capita income of Nepali is $1201 which is very low but

the per capita income calculated in the surveyed area is more than the double ($2250)compared with Nepal’s PCI. The economy of Lumle VDC is very strong compared with overall Nepalese income.

Sources of Income:11% 3%

68%

19% Agriculture

Livestock

Service

Others

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Major challenges in Agriculture

Lack of fertile agricultural land Problem of irrigation Lack of agricultural manpower Fragmented agricultural lands Uncertainty Subsistence farming (No commercialization)

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Nepal is basically a livestock based agrarian society. Thus, highest level organizational identity of Livestock and agricultural sector could contribute substantially in national economy and prosperity.

Such identity would strengthen both research and extension network for food security, crop variety,animal production and health for sustainability of animal industry, environment and peace.

CONCLUSION

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Conclusion (cont’d)

a. Field trip was Fascinating, Informative, energetic.

b. Youths are vital organ in Agriculture, their interest in this issue can change the scenario.

c. Nepal is indeed highly Agricultural Potential Country, with unexplored potential.

d. Agriculture is our past and if explored a bright future.

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Recommendation

• Youths need to be encouraged to engage in Agriculture with various Motivational factors and career security.

• Investment needs to be multiplied in agriculture.

• Fieldtrip should be more engaging.

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Thank You