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Food production and rural livelihoods' food security in Nepal face numerous threats for various reasons. Similar to global trends, the country contends with unpredictable weather patterns, including heat and drought stress on plants, as well as heavy precipitation. Around 80% of Nepal’s population is dependent on subsistence farming for their livelihood, while only 24% of all arable land is irrigated (Suhardiman et al., 2015).
The high dependence on monsoon rainfall due to a lack of irrigation is among the main reasons for low agricultural productivity. Additionally, the unpredictable climate is exacerbated by the country's diverse topographical features. The elevation levels, ranging from 64 meters above sea level to 8,850 meters at the peak of Mount Everest, all within a span of less than 200 kilometers, contribute to distinct agroclimatic zones, encompassing sub-tropical climates to Alpine-type climates.
In the mid-hill region of West Nepal, the significant variation in altitude is the most pronounced in the country. This variation poses a major challenge for agriculture, with water availability and management emerging as a key concern. Excess water during the monsoon season and water scarcity during dry seasons are particularly recognized as primary issues in this region.
Earlier studies have indicated that implementing sustainable intensification interventions for farmers in this region is challenging without first tackling the issues of water availability and management. Consequently, the primary emphasis of this thesis was to assess the potential enhancement of irrigation practices for staple crops in the mid-hill region of West Nepal. The study focused on evaluating the influence of irrigation on five crucial crops, namely maize, wheat, rice, lentil, and potato. The objective was to identify opportunities and trade-offs at the farm level associated with changes in farm management related to water use.
