Livestock in hill farming systems : a case study of Gerkhu Khola Watershed in Nepal | |
| Author | Khanal, Ram Chandra |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-98-18 |
| Subject(s) | Livestock systems--Nepal--Gerkhu Khola Watershed Hill farming--Nepal--Gerkhu Khola Watershed |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The declining crop productivity was caused by low nutrients recycling, intensive farming and soil erosion in the hill farming systems of Nepal. The rate of nutrients mining were in increasing trend. This had an adverse negative impact on agriculture. This study made an attempt to analyze the interaction and interrelationship between crop and livestock with giving due consideration of socioeconomic and natural environmental condition in hill farming, systems. A comparative study of the lowland and upland including north and south aspects was carried out. The sample size was taken about equal from both north and south aspect. Contribution of cropland to livestock tlu·ough concentrate, fodder and forage, straw and pasture were assessed. The importance of livestock were analyzed in terms of Farm Yard Manure (FYM), draft and income. The nutrients balance of the farming systems was also carried out. Animal feed deficit was found as 25% in general. The upland was found contributing higher amount of concentrate, fodder and forage. However, the quantity of straw was higher from lowland. About tlu·ee fourth of the total TDN was contributed by upland. About 9.8, 5.8, 7.2 and 5.0 metric ton FYM were used per hectare in north upland and lowland, south upland and lowland areas respectively. Draft power use per hectare per year was significantly high in lowland compared to upland. The relation inferred that resource allocation in the upland was negatively affected over time. It was found that N and K was in deficit in general by 15 and 35 kg per hectare per year. The study revealed that nutrients extraction in south aspect was serious. Local resources use efficiency and conservation is needed for sustainable farming systems. Improved feeding condition of the livestock and increasing the efficiency of the local resources particularly FYM are vital. Improvement of fodder and forage condition by planting more fodder and forage in marginal land and improvement of FYM condition along with other soil fertility improvement measures are recommended for sustainable agricultural development in the study area and similar agro-climatic regions. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Hansen, Gunner Kjer; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thapa, G. B. ;Boonjit Titapiwatanakun; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DAAD; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |