| Abstract | Research objectives and hypotheses are geared to apply the eco-restructuring method (ERM), for the
appraisal of ecosystem capabilities and the conceptualization of ecosystem governance. The study area
straddles across all ecological zones of the Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal. Eight distinct
agro-ecosystems represent the salient features of this cross-section or continuum, along which 280
farm households were sampled in rural settlements, at altitudes ranging from 200 to 2,800 meters
above sealevel. Analytical tools employed include statistical tests; cost, return, cost-benefit ratio, and
production function analyses; linear programming; and index constrnction; all these facilitated wholefarm planning. The eight are the Terai, Siwalik dun, Middle Mountain South Facing, Middle Mountain
North Facing, Middle Mountain Valley, Mountain South Facing, Mountain North Facing and High
Mountain agro-ecosystems. Fanning is the main source of livelihood of all sampled households.
Significant variations in household income, crop production and productivity were mainly caused by
farm size, soil characteristics, altitude, availability of inigation water, technology adopted and
management practices. The small-size farm category represented the majority of farm households,
unable to meet their kilo calorie requirements from their farm production alone. Only the Terai and
Siwalik dun agro-ecosystems were producing a surplus of agricultural commodities, on an average
though. By farm size category, small farmers who constituted 60 percent of the total farm households
in the Terai and 68 percent in the Siwalik dun were found unable to meet their kilo calorie
requirements, indicating that the majority of fa1mers had inadequate access to resources and food.
Under the systems of major crops, all were receiving insufficient nutrients. The canying capacity of
livestock was exceeded to the degree where feed requirements could not be fulfilled. Therefore, not
only people but also crops and livestock were found underfed in all agro-ecological zones and agroecosystems. The main constraints were sh011age of irrigation water, diseases, insects, pests, wildlife
damage, weak agricultural supp011 systems, small landholding size, land fragmentation, and sho11age
of fodder. However, conditions could be improved through eco-governance for the enhancement of
eco-system capabilities. Each agro-ecological zone has its own development potentials that need to be
harnessed through eco-restructuring. The Teraiagro-ecosystem has potential for production of cereals
and legumes; the Siwalik dun for legumes, cereals, and vegetables; the Middle Mountains for fruit,
vegetable seeds and cereals; and the Mountains and High Mountains for fiuits, cole crops, and herbs.
Each agro-ecosystem under study has potential for livestock rearing as well. Agro-forestry in the
Middle Mountain agro-ecosystem was contributing significantly higher amounts of fodder than natural
forests. People in each study locale were fully aware of the importance of forests for their agriculture.
There was great need to establish forward and backward as well as upstream and downstream linkages
within each agro-ecosystem, among adjacent agro-ecosystems, and between agro-ecological zones. In
support of building such linkages, coordination and cooperation among field-level development
agencies, organizations, institutions and people at large ought to be strengthened. The ultimate goal
should be to enhance both agro-ecosystem capabilities and eco-governance, which are two
fundamentals of eco-restructuring. To achieve this, the creation of representative, consultative bodies
is proposed: at the micro level, Agro-ecosystem Councils, and at the macro level, an Agro-ecological
Zone Cons01tium, to ensure the effective implementation of strategies developed for eco-restructuring
and sustainable rural development. In this vein, detailed strategy and policy recommendations are
presented, supplemented by research requirements to further advance the eco-restructuring method
(ERM). |