Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
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NEPAL is a sm<strong>al</strong>l (141,000 km 2 ) country in <strong>the</strong> centr<strong>al</strong> Him<strong>al</strong>ayan mountains b<strong>et</strong>ween India<br />
and China. It consists of low tropic<strong>al</strong> plains and centr<strong>al</strong> plateaus that rise up to <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />
highest peaks. The population in 1999 was 23.4 million. Agriculture provides a livelihood <strong>for</strong><br />
80% of <strong>the</strong> population and accounts <strong>for</strong> 41% of <strong>the</strong> GDP.<br />
Gener<strong>al</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 1,370<br />
• Intern<strong>al</strong> renewable water re<strong>source</strong>s: 170 km 3<br />
• Main food consumed: rice, maize, wheat, oil<br />
and fat, mill<strong>et</strong> and sorghum<br />
• <strong>Rice</strong> consumption, 1999: 93.4 kg milled rice<br />
per person per year<br />
Production constraints<br />
Yields in 2000 remained low. There are sever<strong>al</strong><br />
constraints to sustainable rice production in<br />
Nep<strong>al</strong>:<br />
• Blast and bacteri<strong>al</strong> blight<br />
• Stem borers, hispa, leaf roller, and<br />
planthoppers<br />
• Prolonged drought or prolonged submergence<br />
because of excess rain; unpredictable<br />
and erratic rainf<strong>al</strong>l<br />
• Adverse topography, declining soil fertility,<br />
and Zn deficiency<br />
• D<strong>et</strong>erioration of irrigation facilities<br />
• Cold injury, strong wind, and hail storms<br />
• Ineffective and inadequate input/credit<br />
supplies<br />
• Weak research and extension support<br />
• Popular use of rice straw as feed <strong>for</strong> livestock.<br />
Farmers often sacrifice grain yields<br />
and grow t<strong>al</strong>l vari<strong>et</strong>ies with high straw<br />
yields to me<strong>et</strong> feed requirements of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
livestock<br />
Production season<br />
Planting Harvesting<br />
Main season Jun-Aug Sep-Nov<br />
198 <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>al</strong>manac