Crop production & its economics in Nepal
K.C. Sharma, Ministry of AgricultureThe productivity of cereal crops is very low. Rice is the most important cereal crop and its productivity in the mountains averages 1.7 to 2.0 t/ha while in the hills it ranges from 1.6 to 2.3 t/ha. The yields are higher in the Terai, being 2.6-2.9 t/ha, but are still lower than those of other countries in South and Southeast Asia.
Maize being the second most important staple food commodity in Nepalese agriculture and economy, covers nearly 80 percent of the hill area. It is totally grown under rainfed 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 cropping systems are maize associated with soybeans, legumes, radish, potatoes and upland rice. The Terai region, which has high potential for winter and spring maize, accounts for 20 percent of 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 is the most important pulse crop in the western part of the country. Soybean accounted for about 7 percent of the area and 7 percent of the production of legumes in Nepal, with the hills 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 western regions. They are both oil producing and income generating crops. Millet is predominantly planted with minimal inputs other than household labour, and is often grown under stressful conditions and on marginal lands where other crops do not succeed. Despite these constraints the average yield is surprisingly high at around 1.1-1.2 t/ha. [ Continue reading at http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6906e/x69… ]