| Author | Dahal, Hari |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.HS-96-01 |
| Subject(s) | Sustainable agriculture--Nepal
|
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. HS-96-01 |
| Abstract | The low crop productivity of Nepalese Agriculture over two decades, U1ought to be among oiliers, a
function of low soil fertility due to intensive farming, poor nutrient recycling and inadequate supply of manure
and fertilizer in Ole farming system. This study, Ulerefore focused to understand the local plant nutrient resource
use practices under the existing socio-economic and natural environmental conditions in the eastern Tarai belt
of Nepal.
A farm survey was carried out to assess farmers' socio-economic profile and nutrient use practices
particularly Ulat of mineral fertilizers and farm manures use. Soil sample analysis was also done to estimate
the soil fertility levels in Ole study area. The soil test values obtained are calibrated to recommend the nutrient
doses for an optimum crop yield. Nutrient use efficiency and the economic returns from mineral fertilizer use
are assessed through production function analyses as derived in rice, wheat, and maize crops.
Although the quantity of available phosphorus and potassium are found high, organic matter and total
nitrogen are low indicating low soil fertility status of the soils. The major sources of nutrients in the farming
system is mineral fertilizer followed by farm yard manure (PYM) but Ole amount available in the system are
far inadequate to sustain an optimum crop yield. The gap between recommended dose and Ole actual use of
mineral fertilizer is surprisingly large. The finding indicates an inverse relationships between farm size and
nutrient use efficiency in terms of boili technical and allocative efficiencies. The economic returns of fertilizer
use is significantly high particularly in rice followed by wheat under Ole current fertilizer subsidy situation.
Farmer's perception about FYM use in relation to environmental quality found positive whereas negative for
mineral fertilizer. Despite their negative perception, fertilizer is regarded as an essential component of Ole
production inputs in the farming system. An effort is also made to explore whether the farming systems are
sustainable in their present form and the framework of existing socio-economic and environmental constraints.
The available system indicators revealed system unsustainability particularly when considered the negative
balance of nutrients in the system coupled with Ole moisture shortage in the soils, as common in most rainfed
agriculture.
With the system approach that combines socio-institutional, economic and agronomic analytical
frameworks, a more efficient and environmentally friendly integrated nutrient resource management (INREM)
is recommended to enhance soil fertility and improving crop productivity for a sustainable agricultural and rural
development in the study area and the regions with similar environment. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. HS-96-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant K; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, Karl E;Gupta, Chandra P; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Federal Chancetlery of Austria, Vienna ; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |