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

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

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3. PATTERN OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIONNepal is a land locked country bordered by India <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> east, south and west, andCh<strong>in</strong>a <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> north, with a total of area of 147181 km 2 . The average length (east to west) is885 km, while <strong>the</strong> breadth (north to south) is 193 km. The country is broadly divided fromeast to west <strong>in</strong>to three agro-ecological zones of approximately equal area. The Southwestzone is <strong>the</strong> Terai or pla<strong>in</strong>s, which are <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn extension of <strong>the</strong> Gangetic Pla<strong>in</strong>s of alluvialsoils and have an elevation of 100-300 meters above mean sea level (mmsl). The middlezone comprises <strong>the</strong> less densely populated hills, which are cut by a series of valleys. Attituderanges from 250-4,000 mmsl, and <strong>the</strong> zone is characterized by steep valleys that are oftenterraced for extensive agriculture. The topography of <strong>the</strong> hill zone results <strong>in</strong> differentmicroclimates that can be suited to specific crops. To <strong>the</strong> north is <strong>the</strong> mounta<strong>in</strong> zone whichextends to over 8,000 mmsl. The mounta<strong>in</strong> zone is <strong>the</strong> least populated and has <strong>the</strong> lowest<strong>in</strong>tensity of agricultural activity.Accord<strong>in</strong>gly, if we try to see <strong>the</strong> country from <strong>the</strong> climatic po<strong>in</strong>t of view, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> pla<strong>in</strong>sor Terai <strong>the</strong>re is hot and humid or subtropical to tropical climate, while <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hills bothsubtropical climate <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> foothills and temperate climate on <strong>the</strong> top of <strong>the</strong> hills prevail. Themounta<strong>in</strong>s have very cold climate. Based on <strong>the</strong> prevail<strong>in</strong>g climatic conditions, differenttypes of crops can be grown. Primarily, rice, wheat, legumes and oilseeds are <strong>the</strong> majorcommodities of <strong>the</strong> Terai, rice, maize, wheat, pulses and oilseed are major commodities <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> hills and potato, barley, buckwheat and amaranthus are <strong>the</strong> commodities suitable for <strong>the</strong>mounta<strong>in</strong>s. Potato and vegetables can be grown <strong>in</strong> every ecological zone. Among <strong>the</strong> fruits,mango, litchi, banana, p<strong>in</strong>eapple and guava are major commodities, while <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hills citrus is<strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> fruit. Banana, guava, pears, and peaches can also be grown <strong>in</strong> this belt. In <strong>the</strong> highhills or mounta<strong>in</strong>s temperate fruits such as apple, apricot, walnut etc., are appropriatelycultivated. Based on <strong>the</strong> above conditions <strong>the</strong> cropp<strong>in</strong>g patterns are as follows:a) Terai (Pla<strong>in</strong>s)Irrigated LowlandRice - Wheat - MaizeRice - Potato - VegetablesRice - Peas - RiceRice - Lentil - VegetablesRice - Mustard/Peas - VegetablesUnirrigated LowlandRice - Wheat - FallowRice - Mustard/Peas- FallowRice - Lentils - FallowSugar cane87

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