Factors influencing a conversion to organic farming in Nepalese tea farms

Organic agriculture in developing countries has increased in past decades especially due to the high demand of organic products in developed countries. The rate of conversion to organic production in Nepal, however, is observed much slower than expected. This study investigates factors that determine the conversion to organic production using Nepalese tea producers as a case study. A survey of 181 farmers was conducted in the Ilam and Panchthar district of Nepal, among which 86 were organic farmers and 95 were conventional farmers. A discriminant analysis was used to identify socio-economic characteristics that distinguish conventional and organic farmers. Results from the estimated discriminant function suggest that farmers located in a distance from regional markets, older in age, better trained, affiliated with institutions and having larger farms are more likely to adopt organic production. Similarly, a factor analysis shows that environmental awareness, bright market prospects, observable economic benefit and health consciousness are the major factors influencing farmers’ decisions on the conversion to organic production. While planning programs for the development of the organic tea sector in Nepal, policy makers should consider the support of farmers’ institutions, provision of training to farmers and raise farmers’ awareness about the environmental, economic and health benefits of organic farming

Adaptation to climate change in agriculture: a multi-level analysis of climate change adaptation among farming communities in Nepal

EMBARGOED - expected end date 02.08.202

Understanding social drivers of adaptation to climate change among indigenous farmers of Nepal

No description supplie

Understanding livelihood dynamics amidst climate change among indigenous mountain farmers of Nepal

No description supplie

Risk assessment of heavy metals in the major surface water system of Nepal with potential remediation technologies

This paper presents an analytical risk assessment of heavy metals (HMs) in twenty-three rivers and two typical lakes across five different provinces of Nepal. The study examines their effects on humans of varying age groups and ecological systems using different indexes such as Hazard Index (HI), Cancer Index (CI), and Hazard Quotient (HQ). The human health risk assessment reveals that female children are the most vulnerable to heavy metal risks, followed by male children, female adults, and male adults. Notably, Co, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, and Cu present substantially high non-carcinogenic health risks for all adults and children with HI values ranging from 1 to more than 100. However, this risk is confined to only children (both male and female) for the metals Mn and Ni. HMs such as Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb have a very high carcinogenic risk in some rivers for all adults and children (CI > 1.00E-3). Concerning ecological risk, the HQ values are found to be significantly above the permissible limit with the order Cu > Cd > Pb > Fe > Zn > Co > Ni > Mn. Furthermore, the integration of various treatment technologies would enhance effectiveness in eliminating HMs from polluted river water, ensuring that the water becomes suitable for irrigation and other purposes. The heavy metals identified as priority controlling factors with potential remediation technologies can provide valuable insights for policymakers in making informed decisions concerning the safety of human health and the ecological system

Potentials and barriers to land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs)—a review

Land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) are critical for achieving the Paris Agreement’s aim of avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting the rise in average global surface temperatures. We developed a detailed two-level classification and analysis of the barriers to the adoption and scaling up of LMTs. The review suggests that afforestation/reforestation and forest management are LMTs with wide application and high potential across all continents. BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) and biochar have a higher potential in higher-income countries in the short term, due to the availability of technology, funding, and low-cost biomass value chains. Although most LMTs can be cost-effective across multiple world regions, limited knowledge concerning their implementation and insufficient financing appear to be the main barriers to their large-scale deployment. Without considering gender and the rights of marginalised and Indigenous Peoples, the large-scale deployment of LMTs can further aggravate existing inequalities. Therefore, the social and institutional implications of LMTs need to be better understood to improve their public acceptance and reduce negative impacts. An integrated system approach is necessary to strike a balance between ambitious land-based mitigation targets and socioeconomic and environmental goals.Learning & Autonomous ControlOrganisation & Governanc

Potentials and barriers to land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs)—a review

Land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) are critical for achieving the Paris Agreement’s aim of avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting the rise in average global surface temperatures. We developed a detailed two-level classification and analysis of the barriers to the adoption and scaling up of LMTs. The review suggests that afforestation/reforestation and forest management are LMTs with wide application and high potential across all continents. BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) and biochar have a higher potential in higher-income countries in the short term, due to the availability of technology, funding, and low-cost biomass value chains. Although most LMTs can be cost-effective across multiple world regions, limited knowledge concerning their implementation and insufficient financing appear to be the main barriers to their large-scale deployment. Without considering gender and the rights of marginalised and Indigenous Peoples, the large-scale deployment of LMTs can further aggravate existing inequalities. Therefore, the social and institutional implications of LMTs need to be better understood to improve their public acceptance and reduce negative impacts. An integrated system approach is necessary to strike a balance between ambitious land-based mitigation targets and socioeconomic and environmental goals

Potentials and barriers to land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs)—a review

Land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) are critical for achieving the Paris Agreement’s aim of avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting the rise in average global surface temperatures. We developed a detailed two-level classification and analysis of the barriers to the adoption and scaling up of LMTs. The review suggests that afforestation/reforestation and forest management are LMTs with wide application and high potential across all continents. BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) and biochar have a higher potential in higher-income countries in the short term, due to the availability of technology, funding, and low-cost biomass value chains. Although most LMTs can be cost-effective across multiple world regions, limited knowledge concerning their implementation and insufficient financing appear to be the main barriers to their large-scale deployment. Without considering gender and the rights of marginalised and Indigenous Peoples, the large-scale deployment of LMTs can further aggravate existing inequalities. Therefore, the social and institutional implications of LMTs need to be better understood to improve their public acceptance and reduce negative impacts. An integrated system approach is necessary to strike a balance between ambitious land-based mitigation targets and socioeconomic and environmental goals