Organic Farming in Nepal Organic Farming in the Tropics and Subtropics ( ) Parshu Ram Rimal 02/06/2014

Introduction Area : 1,47,181 Sq. Km Population: 26.5 Million (CBS, 2011) Topography: 60 – 8848masl Agriculture GDP Share: 32 %, Employs: 65% of economically active Population Source: Source: FAO, /18

Average fertilizer and pesticide use in a country Average fertilizer use : 26 kg/ha and Average pesticide use: 142 gm/ha (Poudyal, 2010) Organic agriculture land, Producers, Sales Area (ha)share of agriculture landProducerSales 9, %247No data Source: FIBL & IFOAM, 2013

Brief History of Organic Farming Organized movement of OA started since 1986 Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Nepal (INSAN), a national NGO initiated first and gradually several NGO started professionally in organic agriculture OA first appeared as one of the priority sectors in the 10th five year plan ( ) Currently OA is a major subject of discussion among scientists, development workers, farmers, traders, researchers and policy makers Source: Poudyal, 2010

Policy towards OA Government adopted some acts like Pesticides Act (1991), Pesticides Regulation (1994), Environment Protection Act and Environmental Protection Regulation (1997) Government prioritized first “OA” in 10 th five year plan ( ) Recently Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative has developed a guideline for organic agriculture Source: Poudyal, 2010

Production, Certification and Marketing Kanchajanga Tea state Orthodox black and green tea, large cardamom, ginger, lemon grass 1997NASAA, Australia USA, Japan, Germany, Austria, Poland, Spain, Austria, India Guranse Tea State Orthodox tea2000NASAA, Australia Japan, Germany, USA Shambala Herbal Essential oil2000NASAA, Australia Germany Annapurna Organic Coffee, spices and honey 2004NASAA, Australia Canada, Japan Male FashionEssential oil2003ECOCERT, Belgium Belgium Gulmi Cooperative Coffee2004NASAA, Australia Japan Source: Poudyal, 2010

Opportunities Of OA OA is feasible throughout country without major adjustment Market development increasing consumers awareness towards willingness to pay Supermarket business of organic product is growing recently OF can be spot for ecotourism and can earn additional income Source: Poudyal, 2010

Challenges of OA Less ability of farmers to invest Knowledge gap of farmers No support from government Lack of extension services Costly certification for smallholders Source: Poudyal, 2010

Conclusion Organic agriculture in Nepal is still in juvenile stage but growing gradually OA is major issue on discussion among government, policy maker, scientist, development workers and civil societies Government is responsible to invest on research, extension and development of organic farming

Reference FAO, 2010: Forest Resource Assessment, Country Report, Nepal. FiBL & IFOAM (2013): The World of Organic Agriculture Frick and Bonn Poudyal, K.P 2010: Country Report Presented in ANSOFT Workshop held on November, 2010 in Suwon, Korea. Sharma, G Organic Agriculture in Nepal: An analysis in to Status, Policy, Technology and Psychology. Proceedings of National Workshop on Organic Agriculture and Food Security, organized by Nepal Permaculture Group, Dec , 2005, Kathmandu, Nepal