Crop Diversification in the Asia-Pacific region - United Nations in ...

We know hill farmers face many problems and constraints. They are simply on asubsistence level and hence they cannot talk of commercialization as such. They have tohave a group attitude, production pocket approach, commercial outlook, and innovativeideas. Similarly, Terai farmers have also several constraints of different nature. They have tochange the existing agricultural system drastically. Before they change the system theyshould be changed mentally, meaning that they should develop the mentality ofentrepreneurship and learn a trading mechanism, so that their agricultural system is guidedby commercialization.In this context, it seems we have a lot of choices or options in selecting agriculturalcommodities. Because of different climatic conditions, we can grow a lot of crop species inthe country. At the same time we have different commodities at our disposal. The only thingwe need is to develop innovative ideas towards commercialization.Considering this, crop diversification is defined as an instrument by which thefarmers can grow the best profitable commodities on their land and earn money from it. Forthis, they should know which commodities are suited to their locality and earn more profit.They should also know how these commodities can efficiently be produced for the marketand how these commodities can be efficiently sold on the market- both internal and external.2. CROP PRODUCTION AND ECONOMICS SCENARIOThe productivity of cereal crops is very low. Rice is the most important cereal cropand its productivity in the mountains averages 1.7 to 2.0 t/ha while in the hills it ranges from1.6 to 2.3 t/ha. The yields are higher in the Terai, being 2.6-2.9 t/ha, but are still lower thanthose of other countries in South and Southeast Asia.Maize being the second most important staple food commodity in Nepaleseagriculture and economy, covers nearly 80 percent of the hill area. It is totally grown underrainfed conditions and mostly on marginal land with very little use of commercial fertilizers.Maize is commonly grown with millet, mostly in a relay system. Other important croppingsystems are maize associated with soybeans, legumes, radish, potatoes and upland rice. TheTerai region, which has high potential for winter and spring maize, accounts for 20 percentof the maize area and this is increasing, particularly in the winter due to accessible markets.Under rainfed conditions, pulses can play an important role in crop diversification. Lentil isthe most important pulse crop in the western part of the country. Soybean accounted forabout 7 percent of the area and 7 percent of the production of legumes in Nepal, with thehills accounting for 80 percent of area and production. The average yield is about 0.7 t/ha.Intercropping with maize gives good yields. Oilseed crops such as rapeseed, mustard, toria,groundnut, sesame and sunflower have potential in the country particularly in westernregions. They are both oil producing and income generating crops. Millet is predominantlyplanted with minimal inputs other than household labour, and is often grown under stressfulconditions and on marginal lands where other crops do not succeed. Despite these constraintsthe average yield is surprisingly high at around 1.1-1.2 t/ha.The area, production and yield of maize has improved marginally over the last 25years in the Terai, whereas in mid and high hills the area has increased by 200 percent, butyields have declined by 17 percent. In the case of grain legumes, there is a big yield gapbetween research stations and farmers' fields. This may indicate that the generated83