Concepts on agro-environmental initiatives in Nepal Madhu Subedi Sohan Ghimire

Physiographic map of Nepal

Problems High slope  high soil & water erosion – low soil fertility  High run off – low ground water recharge – low soil moisture low crop production Degraded environment (vegetation, water sources, soil qualities) Subsistent farming – low market awareness – poor income generation Poverty

Project conceptualised Income generation through innovative farming practices and natural resources management

Approach adopted to tackle this problem Increase water availability through rain water and waste water taping Improve soil fertility through increasing compost production and plant materials Reducing run-off and soil-water erosion through the use of hedgerows Improve income generation through cash crops production and goat rearing

Treatment effects Rain water harvest: Provides drinking and irrigation water; reduce runoff - reduce soil-water erosion – reduce eutrophication of rivers and lakes; reduce soil fertility losses; Improves crop production Hedgerows: Offers barrier to run off water - reduce runoff - improves infiltration – increase ground water recharge; Reduce soil-water erosion – reduce eutrophication of rivers and lakes; Improves soil fertility; Improves crop production; produce fodder for farm animal – mulch for crops – firewood for household use – materials for composting – reduce drudgery. Compost: Improves soil quality; improves infiltration – increase ground water recharge – reduce runoff; Reduce soil-water erosion; Improves crop production. Cash crops: Improves family health; improves farm production; improves household income. Goat rearing: Improves family health; improves farm production; improves household income; improves manure production – soil fertility.

Treatment effects EffectsRain water harvest HedgerowsCompostingCash crop farming Goat rearing Provisioning water √ Reducing water losses √√√ Improve soil fertility √√√ √ Improve crop production √√ √√ Improve farm outputs (fodder, mulch & composting materials, firewood) √ Improves soil moisture holding√√√√ Improve family health√√ Improve family income√√ Reduce drudgery√√

Inter-relationship and complementarities of the proposed activities

Plan To implement in remote hilly areas of Nepal  Gulmi district of western region  Bajura district of far western region Collaborators  SAHAS, Nepal.  LI-BIRD, Nepal.  USC-Canada in Nepal.  James Hutton Institute, UK Duration: 3 years

Physiographic map of Nepal

Plan To implement in remote hilly areas of Nepal  Gulmi district of western region  Bajura district of far western region Collaborators  SAHAS, Nepal.  LI-BIRD, Nepal.  USC-Canada in Nepal.  James Hutton Institute, UK Duration: 3 years

Inspiration Intrigued by the idea of rain water harvest, we are conceptualising a project entitled - ‘Rainwater harvesting to provide safe drinking water to school children’

Water: availability and problems Most hilly remote areas in Nepal suffer from water shortage. People use water from open sources (springs, wells, rivers) These sources dry out during dry season and remain turbid and polluted in rainy season. Despite this, people are bound to use them in the absence of appropriate alternatives. School children are even more affected:  either they have to travel long distance for water, or  drink polluted/contaminated water (if available) Water borne diseases pose serious public health problem in Nepal.

Rainwater harvesting Worm J. and Hattum T., 2006 Three basic components of a rainwater harvesting system: catchment (1), delivery system (2), storage (3).

Rain water storage structure: a local design

Concepts Rain water harvesting (RWH) system for 5 primary schools. In order to maximise the benefit of infrastructure development following other activities will be conducted simultaneously; Awareness creation about water-borne diseases and importance of safe drinking water Inter-project visit for management committee members to enhance mutual learning Training on management and maintenance of RWH system Evaluation and learning for future.

The James Hutton Institute Vision “We will be a world leader in research and engagement to deliver evidence-based solutions to the global challenges facing land and natural resource use both now and in the future”.

The James Hutton Institute Mission “ To deliver the highest quality integrated and innovative science that contributes knowledge, products and services to meet the multiple demands on land and natural resources ”.