Papers by Krishna Timsina
Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Dec 30, 2023
This paper compares the existing Nepalese agricultural extension system with other selected agric... more This paper compares the existing Nepalese agricultural extension system with other selected agriculture-led countries to explore the needs and opportunities of introducing an innovative agricultural extension system in Nepal. A review of various documents including journals, reports, and policy papers was carried out. The status of financial and human resources in agricultural extension of Nepal was assessed from 753 municipalities and 7 provinces through survey interviews and, additionally, expert consultations were done with 15 key personnel working in the field of agricultural extension in Nepal. We examined the major changes in the agricultural extension made before and after the federalization in Nepal and examined institutional arrangements and activities for agricultural sector governance after federalization. Further, three cases were selected from selected agriculture-led countries based on the working modality of research and extension either solely or jointly or in hybrid mode. The study found insufficient human resources for agriculture sector governance especially in provinces and municipalities with 37.4% and 29% of vacant positions, respectively. The recruited agriculture technicians were mostly engaged in administrative management and handout distribution rather than agricultural technology transfer. Most technicians were freshly recruited without any on-the-job training. The paper discussed about the agriculture extension approaches, service mechanisms and structure across the countries, and its relevancy in Nepal. Irrespective of operational modality of research and extension, technological advancement and application of Information Communication Technology plays an important role for the effectiveness of the extension services.
Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Dec 30, 2023
The productivity of potato production in Nepal is low compared to neighbouring countries because ... more The productivity of potato production in Nepal is low compared to neighbouring countries because of a range of production constraints. Potatoes are an important staple crop and commodity for many communities throughout Nepal, thus imperative to improve their performance for the benefit of smallholder producers and consumers. This study aims to identify the technical efficiency and yield gap of potato farmers. Farm-level data from 300 potato farmers randomly selected from three districts of Nepal is used to estimate a stochastic frontier model. The model allows us to estimate the production elasticity coefficients of inputs, determinants of efficiency and technical efficiency of potato farmers. Results showed that among the production variables, seed rate and labour used were positive towards potato production, whereas seed source, extension contact, variety type, and irrigation used were negatively significant factors that influences the technical inefficiency. The mean technical efficiency value of potato farmers was 68%, and there was clear scope to increase potato production by 32% with the better use of available resources. The potential yield gap can be reduced if the adoption of proper agricultural practices such as the use of improved potato varieties with formal seed sources with recommended seed rates along with irrigation application. Such efforts from policymakers and other concerned stakeholders would help improve domestic production and reduce the dependency on potato imports.
Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Dec 30, 2023
There is a huge opportunity for acid lime farming in Nepal. The demand is much higher than domest... more There is a huge opportunity for acid lime farming in Nepal. The demand is much higher than domestic production resulting voluminous import from abroad. This research aimed to assess the economics of production of Sunkagati-1 variety of acid lime in Nepal. Morang, Sunsari, Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts were selected for this study after consultation with the concerned agricultural experts and nursery entrepreneurs producing Sunkagati-1 saplings. The primary information was collected through the field survey whereas secondary information was obtained reviewing the relevant literatures. All total 70 farmers were selected as the samples through simple random sampling for the field survey. Financial analysis of farms with plant age between 3 to 7 years, was carried out which estimated the NPV (12% discount rate) NRs.4,48,672/ha, BCR 1.09, IRR 19% and the Pay-back period of 5 years, 5 months and 26 days. The value of BCR being greater than one, IRR higher than discount rate, positive NPV and short payback period indicated that commercial acid lime farming cultivating Sunkagati-1 variety is a profitable enterprise in Nepal. The unpaired t-test showed that there is no significant difference in productivity of Sunkagati-1 across eastern (Sunsari and Morang) and central (Chitwan and Nawalpur) regions; however, the price of acid lime in central region (NRs.102/kg) was significantly higher (1 % level of significance) than that of in eastern (NRs.93.8/kg). Moreover, this study revealed that porous border and unorganized market (I= 0.81) was the most severe problem followed by infestation of disease and insect pests (I= 0.76), inadequate quality seedlings (I= 0.68), inadequate technical knowledge and trainings (I=0.41) and inadequate storage and processing facilities (0.34). There is need of government intervention which would assure access to quality inputs & technology, marketing & value chain development and appropriate plant protection measures for the promotion of commercial acid lime farming in Nepal.
Slow adoption of mechanical rice transplanters in Nepal’s cereal-based cropping systems: reasons and recommendations for change
Journal of agriculture and natural resources, Dec 27, 2022
This study was conducted to understand the challenges and prospects of rice marketing by taking c... more This study was conducted to understand the challenges and prospects of rice marketing by taking case of central Nepal. Two focus group discussions along with eight key informants' interviews were conducted in Bara and Parsa districts of Nepal. Also, secondary information was collected by reviewing the related literatures. The study revealed that the consumer price of rice is almost double than the farm gate price, possibly due to the presence of several intermediaries in different nodes of the supply chain. Key market actors like large collectors, millers and wholesalers have a dominating role in price negotiation and supply of rice in the market. The rice value chain is not strong enough, which might be due to poor vertical and horizontal as well as backward and forward linkages among the key players. The demand of fine and aromatic rice is gradually increasing due to changing food habits of the consumers and their access to purchasing capacity as well. The high yielding short duration varieties of fine and aromatic rice need to be identified and developed to meet the growing demand of consumers. In addition, to boost productivity and profitability of rice, a better investment climate, risk sharing mechanism and strengthened value chain with efficient research and extension services are required.
Assessment of Agricultural Land Conversion in Vegetable Pocket Areas of Dhading District, Nepal
The increasing trend of transformation of land at the expense of fertile agricultural land is bec... more The increasing trend of transformation of land at the expense of fertile agricultural land is becoming troublesome and threatens food security worldwide. The scenario is more severe at the rural-urban interface and the agrarian land on the outskirt of larger cities is at greater risk, however, the extensive literature is not readily available in the Nepalese context. This study focuses on the land use patterns and variables shaping farmers’ choices for the future use of land in Dhading, Nepal. The analysis of land use patterns showed that, between 2013 and 2022, productive agricultural land decreased by 60.28% while non-farm use of land increased by 93.14% in the study area of Dhunibeshi Municipality, Dhading. The cross-sectional survey data among vegetable farming households showed that 36% of the household were eager to switch from farming to non-farm use of their land in the near future. Based on binary logistic regression, land ownership, the share of family income from vegetabl...
Nepal Public Policy Review
This paper examines the policy, institutional and legal aspects of agriculture service delivery (... more This paper examines the policy, institutional and legal aspects of agriculture service delivery (ASD) of local government in federal Nepal. The aim of this study is to recommend an appropriate framework for improving ASD unit efficiency in delivering agricultural services to citizens. The paper seeks to answer the question of whether the ASD unit of municipalities facilitates a local government framework while discharging their agriculture services to the citizens. To achieve this, both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through structured interviews of agriculture service takers using stratified random sampling and were accompanied by participant observations, FGDs and KIIs. Secondary data were obtained from government documents. A convergent parallel mix method research design was adopted, which implied abductive reasoning with pragmatist research philosophy. The study found that despite poor facilities and structures at the local level, the client e...
Nepal Agriculture Research Journal
The present study analyses the gaps and issues in the production and distribution system of potat... more The present study analyses the gaps and issues in the production and distribution system of potato seeds in Nepal. Households’ survey combined with focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KII) were carried out to collect the information. Gross benefit and descriptive statistics were employed for the analysis of the data. Results revealed that National Potato Research Program (NPRP) and some private companies were responsible for the zero generation Pre-Basic Seeds (PBS) production. National Centre for Potato, Vegetables and Spice Crops Development Program (NCPVSCDP) collects the seed demand and helps in potato seed certification at the farmers’ level. The current production is inadequate to meet the demand. As the present potato productivity is 16.72 mt ha-1 which is less than projected by National Seed Vision (NSV), reducing the yield gap is one of the important ways to meet the demand. The Gross benefit per hectare of first-generation basic potato seed (BS1) w...
Journal of agriculture and natural resources, Dec 27, 2022
Organic farming is a production system that relies on ecosystem management rather than external a... more Organic farming is a production system that relies on ecosystem management rather than external agricultural inputs to sustain the health of soils, ecosystem and organisms. This needs enough organic plant protection measures and biological fertilizers by eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. An attempt was made to review current plant protection measures for organic farming in Nepal. Though some insect pests and diseases are very hard to control without the use of chemical pesticides, this is high time to produce agriculture products organically. There is ample prospect of organic production in Nepal utilizing traditional knowledge of Nepalese farmers and existing agri-biodiversity. The paper is focused on best utilization of local natural resources, indigenous knowledge and bio-control agents for plant protection in organic agriculture. The information related to organic plant protection measures are collected from various sources and are grouped. The authors have listed technologies on organic plant protection measures in Nepal and made some suggestions to improve the organic farming of the country.
International Journal of Social Sciences and Management
Research was conducted to assess the economics of commercial acid lime production and prospects o... more Research was conducted to assess the economics of commercial acid lime production and prospects of lime farming in Nepal. Morang, Sunsari, Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts of Nepal were selected as the study area after having consultation with concerned agricultural personnel. Altogether 70 farmers (19% of the sampling population) were randomly selected from the sampling frame to collect the primary information. The financial analysis of acid lime farming per hectare of land estimated NPV (12% discount rate) NRs. 4828734/ha, BCR 2.2, IRR 40% and the Pay-back period of 5 years, 5 months and 26 days. The BCR greater than one, IRR three times higher than discount rate, high NPV (return on investment more than cent percent) and payback period less than one-third of the total productive age of the lime orchard showed the financial feasibility of commercial acid lime farming in Nepal. The regression revealed that the import, production and productive area were found to be increased at t...
Agriculture Development Journal
The study was intended to find out the most profitable method between the relay and tillage growi... more The study was intended to find out the most profitable method between the relay and tillage growing method of lentil production. For primary data collection, a simple random sampling method was followed. Household survey was conducted in two districts Bardiya and Kailali in 2021 AD. A total of 107 lentil farmers (43 farmers following relay and 64 farmers following tillage practices) were randomly selected from two pockets area (relay and tillage method adopters) of each district. Benefit-Cost (BC) ratio analysis was done to find out the most profitable method of lentil cultivation. Multiple regression model was applied to estimate the factors determining the lentil production. The average BC ratio is 2.18 which indicates that lentil cultivation is profitable with average productivity of 0.64 mt/ha. The total cost incurred per ha in relay and tillage method was NRs. 24345 and NRs. 33549 respectively. Similarly, gross income from relay and tillage method was found NRs. 56160 and NRs 6...
Can Nepal be self-sufficient in rice production to meet future demand?
Returns to investment in Rice, Maize and Wheat Research in Nepal
Scaling-up conservation agriculture technologies in Eastern Terai region of Nepal through understanding farmers' decision making system
Effectiveness of on farm research: Evidence of wheat research in Nepal
Effect of Changes in Functional Strategies to the Horticultural Seed Value Chain in Nepal
Agriculture Insurance in Nepal: Case of Banana and Livestock Insurance
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Papers by Krishna Timsina