Dynamics of rural economy

A strong role of practitioners, consumers and actors is necessary to make ecological agriculture successful, with a consensus that the benefits of policy and the exercise of sovereignty should be available to farmers. This requires a joint initiative, integrating learning.

फाल्गुन १४, २०८१

केदार कोइराला

Dynamics of rural economy

Agriculture is the backbone of Nepal's economy. Agriculture is the basis of the food system as well as the prosperity of the country. However, agricultural production is continuously decreasing day by day. Agriculture is becoming increasingly dependent on imported inputs and technology and is becoming beyond our reach.

Increasing use of unbalanced chemical fertilizers and pesticides has added more challenges to agriculture. The Nepal Health Research Council conducted a study in 2014 on commercial vegetable growing areas. According to which, the use of pesticides and chemicals is increasing at the rate of 10 percent every year. Likewise, 51 percent of farmers have health problems due to unsafe use and contact with pesticides. 

Agricultural production and environmental imbalances are having a direct impact on the easy availability of safe and nutritious food. Some of the ecological agriculture promotion provisions in existing agricultural policies in Nepal have not been implemented. Pragmatic and institutional commitment are the defects of policy implementation.

As a result, the sustainable food system could not catch up. As agriculture was neglected, production-based food security collapsed. Since food security and food sovereignty are issues related to the country's independence, it is adding a challenge to the implementation of the fundamental rights of the constitution. 

Facing the current challenge, local level farmers are contributing to food security based on production. This has strengthened the self-esteem of the producer. From which they have contributed to ecological balance, respect for coexistence, and promotion of the nutritional cycle according to nature.  Like a

– Ram Bahadur Chaudhary of Kailali is currently engaged in his own agricultural practice. He makes jhol fertilizer by mixing ingredients like neem, gud, jahkanil, titale in bangur's urine. They use homemade pesticides. His insecticide does not kill the insect but it escapes. At first, he had to roll a lot of papads to convince them that his vegetables were pesticide-free. Even now, people have started coming to buy at his house. 

Growing, selling, and earning vegetables is not a big deal, but this kind of farming done by protecting the environment is really exemplary. The experience of Amar Bahadur Kami of Creative Dalit Farmers Group, Lekbensi-3, Ratatar, Surkhet says that the biggest lesson in understanding ecological farming systems is the direct observation of farmers' farm sheds.

The desire for eco-friendly agriculture is not limited to Amar Bahadur Kami. Prakash Vick, a young farmer who promotes ecological agriculture in Surkhet, is also feeling this. He is a community volunteer farmer of the National Farmers Group Federation. 

Farming groups working to save the environment have started to cooperate with the local government. They can now raise their voices at local events, advocate for resources and policies. This coordination with local authorities has led to small grants, access to farming tools and technical assistance that have further strengthened their green enterprise efforts. They understand that ecological farming is not possible with a single effort. 

Analyzing the above three farming practices, it is confirmed that agriculture is an interrelated subject of humans and nature. The mobilization of local resources to produce biofertilizers and pesticides is essential in an effort to transform today's declining agriculture. which improves soil health and reduces costs associated with chemical resources/inputs. It is possible to establish vermicomposting enterprises to produce organic manure for local use and sale. It contributes to the promotion of green enterprise. Makes the rural economy dynamic. 

Food Right and Food Sovereignty Act 2075 aims to ensure equitable food distribution, reduce hunger, ensure food security and promote sustainability of agriculture, especially for marginalized and small farmers. It emphasizes the need for inclusive agricultural policies that recognize the rights of vulnerable communities, contributing to national food sovereignty.

Localization emphasizes not only the theoretical concept of right to food but also the practicalization of production, procurement or social protection mechanisms to meet the food security and nutrition needs of people in a particular region. Regenerative agricultural production is the foundation of a sustainable and resilient agro-food system.  A strong role of practitioners, consumers and actors is necessary to make ecological agriculture successful with a consensus that farmers should be able to use the benefits and sovereignty of

policies. This requires a joint initiative, integrating learning.

It is necessary to establish a common understanding between the government, civil society and farmers for food security based on community system as well as sovereign production for the transformation of clean product into an enterprise with identity. 

केदार कोइराला कोइराला राष्ट्रिय कृषक समूह महासंघका कार्यकारी निर्देशक हुन्।

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