Nepalese agriculture is characterized by subsistence farming and the concentration of most lands in the hands of a few people. Even though more than 66% of people here are involved in agriculture, Nepal is a food deficit country importing both cereals and high-value agricultural commodities. In addition, this occupation is not considered a fine line of work where food insecurity and malnutrition are very common. Nepalese farmers have developed traditional practices and indigenous technologies over generations of trial and local adaptation. In the past, these practices have been in harmony with the ecosystem and hence are sustainable. The rapid increase in population, high food demand, and cropping intensities, as well as changes in food habits and land use, have led to exploitation and imbalance in the agroecosystem. Thus, an integrated approach involving various modern and traditional practices is required to ensure the sustainability of farming.
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the basic principle of sustainability. When it comes to sustainable agriculture, Nepalese farmers think it is organic farming, which is, of course, a major strategy. Agriculture sustainability is not just organic agriculture, in contrast, it is a broader concept which encompasses various approaches like permaculture, precision agriculture, natural farming, crop rotation, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, etc. In addition to preserving the earth’s natural resources, sustainable farming benefits the environment by helping to maintain soil quality, reducing erosion, preserving water, protecting human and animal health, and creation of sustainable communities through the production of healthy food. It enables farmers to grow crops using less land while also preserving the environment. It also can significantly reduce water pollution by eliminating harmful fertilizers that seep into the water. Further, it encourages the resurgence of small farms along with the production of healthy foods thus resulting in sustainable communities.
In Nepal, sustainability in farming is still constrained by population pressure, ignorance, and inadequate priority of the government. Today’s basic needs of survival are forcing them to sacrifice tomorrow’s ecological sustainability. In the present context, the majority of farmers are poor who can’t afford the capital expenditure or the risk of modification and intensification of their farming practices. Further, indigenous knowledge is overlooked in research and extension programs which could have been used to cope up with climate change and unsustainable agricultural practices. In addition to this, market assurance of organic products, poor implementation of plans and policies, and lack of coordination among the stakeholders demotivate the farmers from engaging in sustainable farming.
Despite all these challenges, we can still move towards the path of sustainability which requires the proper coordination from both private and public sectors. Government should start planning big to bring innovative technologies and their implementation focusing on sustainability. Further, combining traditional knowledge with modern technology, emphasis on improved varieties, appropriate crop selection, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, and implementation of conservation practices is of greater requirement. Present-day agriculture is demanding innovation. Until and unless investment is increased in research, innovation, and capital, today’s agriculture cannot be sustainable.
