Abstract
Agriculture is the backbone of Nepalese economy. Commercialization of agriculture sector is deemed necessary for economic growth. However, its negative repercussions on environment and health of farmers stimulated organic movement in the country. Nonetheless this movement is still in its initial phase and lacks research based activities especially when it comes to assessing its impact on households. This study intends to analyze farmer’s perception on yield and income from organic vegetable farming in Kathmandu valley and Chitwan district of Nepal. Study shows less than half of respondent perceived increased yield in organic vegetables. It also indicates their perception is positively related to experience of practicing organic farming and negatively to having large-sized farms. Thus, support should be provided during initial years as yield improves only in later years. Access to premium market assures increased income and compensates for decreased yield of organic vegetables. In this regard, consumer awareness on appearance of organic vegetables should be emphasized which could help establish and boost local organic vegetable market.
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Notes
- 1.
LSU is aggregate of different types of livestock kept at household in standard unit which is calculated as: 1 adult buffalo = 1 LSU, 1 immature buffalo = 0.5 LSU, 1 cow = 0.8 LSU, 1 calf = 0.4 LSU, 1 pig = 0.3 LSU, 1 sheep or goat = 0.2 LSU and 1 poultry = 0.1 LSU (CBS 2003).
- 2.
This rather huge difference between livestock holding in these two areas can be explained by the fact that one of the farmers in Kathmandu valley is practicing livestock farming on a commercial scale with 133 LSUs. Excluding this, the average livestock holding for farmers in Kathmandu valley would still be higher (3.9) compared to Chitwan district (2.22).
- 3.
An access to exporting cereal crops such as rice, wheat, buckwheat, paddy, beans and lentils has contributed to increase in farmers’ income after certification in Chitwan district. These are sold in other cities from where farmers can get 20 % premium. Although the demand was, according to farmers, quiet low and unstable. Late payment through such medium was also one of the concern farmers shared during the survey.
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Singh, M., Maharjan, K.L. (2014). Farmers’ Perception on Impact of Organic Farming on Yield and Income of Vegetables: A Case Study in Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan District of Nepal. In: Maharjan, K. (eds) Communities and Livelihood Strategies in Developing Countries. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54774-7_6
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