| Abstract | There has been a renewed interest in the role of small towns on different aspects of linkages between urban centers and their rural hinterlands. This study aims to address the contribution of urban centers to agricultural commercialization. It analyses the farming practices, cropping intensity, crop diversification, volume of agricultural products sold and retained for household consumption, factors influencing crop commercialization and application of farm machinery, especially with reference to a plain district in Nepal. The analysis has been based on the data and information collected through the household survey in three Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Morang, where 120 farm households were interviewed and, likewise observation and discussions with the key informants were conducted. The major finding shows that the adjacent zone is diverse towards high value crops and has substituted paddy over vegetables. The two crop paddy is cultivated by most of the farmers due to suitable soil condition and availability of water from the small river (temporary). Although the crop diversification index in outer zone is highest among the zones, the diversification is merely oriented towards crop production for food security. The small and marginal holdings, adverse topography and soil condition, lack of irrigation, inaccessibility can be considered some of the major factors for subsistence farming. Substantial income in adjacent and intermediate zone derives from crops; where as income from livestock is higher in outer zone. The income from the sales of vegetable has spurred agricultural commercialization in adjacent zone. The pump water irrigation has helped to diversify the cropping pattern towards intensive vegetable farming in adjacent zone. The income from the sales of pig and goat is highest in outer zone, due to its favorable bio-physical condition for small ruminants. The cropping pattern, viable land holding size, affordability and topography can be considered major factors for the application of farm machinery in adjacent zone. The results indicate that households closer to the markets are more likely to participate in non-food production (commercial crops) activities than their counterparts in remote areas. Majority of the farmers in Nepal are small holders having less than a hectare. High value crops are particularly critical to future rapid growth in incomes. In order to increase agricultural commercialization, the government should be able to deal through the research, infrastructure (irrigation, electricity and roads), extension services, crop insurance and credit programs. Urban centers are essential in order to tap the unmet agricultural potential in their productive hinterlands. However, the mere presence of urban center does not to which households can take advantage of this proximity depends on their bio-physical condition, infrastructures, socio-economic condition and their access to markets as well. |