Pattern of crop diversification in Nepal

K.C. Sharma, Ministry of Agriculture

Nepal is a land locked country bordered by India in the east, south and west, and China in the north, with a total of area of 147181 km2. The average length (east to west) is 885 km, while the breadth (north to south) is 193 km. The country is broadly divided from east to west into three agro-ecological zones of approximately equal area. The Southwest zone is the Terai or plains, which are the northern extension of the Gangetic Plains of alluvial soils and have an elevation of 100-300 meters above mean sea level (mmsl). The middle zone comprises the less densely populated hills, which are cut by a series of valleys. Attitude ranges from 250-4,000 mmsl, and the zone is characterized by steep valleys that are often terraced for extensive agriculture. The topography of the hill zone results in different microclimates that can be suited to specific crops. To the north is the mountain zone which extends to over 8,000 mmsl. The mountain zone is the least populated and has the lowest intensity of agricultural activity.

Accordingly, if we try to see the country from the climatic point of view, in the plains or Terai there is hot and humid or subtropical to tropical climate, while in the hills both subtropical climate in the foothills and temperate climate on the top of the hills prevail. The mountains have very cold climate. Based on the prevailing climatic conditions, different types of crops can be grown. Primarily, rice, wheat, legumes and oilseeds are the major commodities of the Terai, rice, maize, wheat, pulses and oilseed are major commodities in the hills and potato, barley, buckwheat and amaranthus are the commodities suitable for the mountains. Potato and vegetables can be grown in every ecological zone. Among the fruits, mango, litchi, banana, pineapple and guava are major commodities, while in the hills citrus is the main fruit. Banana, guava, pears, and peaches can also be grown in this belt. In the high hills or mountains temperate fruits such as apple, apricot, walnut etc., are appropriately cultivated.[ Continue reading at http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6906e/x69… ]