Browsing by Author "Paudel, Bikash"
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- Economic analysis of conservation agriculture in maize-based farming system in NepalPaudel, Bikash; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Norton, George W.; Nguema, Abigail M.; Limbu, P.; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Crow, Susan; Halbrendt, Jacqueline (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)A linear programming technique was used to estimate the revenue maximizing allocation of land for a representative household using conservation agriculture production system (CAPS) and farmers’ traditional practices. The model was optimized in five different scenarios. Scenario 1, 2, 3 and 4 were build by allowing annual soil loss to 1, 2, 3 and 4 t ha-1 yr-1 respectively, whereas scenario 5 was build with unconstrained soil loss. Scenario suggested that unless soil loss is considered, conservation tillage does not appear in the profit maximizing allocation of land. Practice with strip tillage appeared in the profit optimized model of all scenarios where soil loss was constrained. Scenario 1 and 2 had about 71 and 66 % of land allotted to maize followed by millet+cowpea intercrop with strip tillage practice. Result also suggested that the representative farm have to sacrifice about $88.6 for about 7 years and $50.1 ha-1 yr-1 (-7.6% and -4.1% revenue) if they aim to reduce the soil loss to 1 and 2 t ha-1 yr-1 respectively. An analysis of the total change in economic surplus associated with adopting the revenue maximizing crop mix was completed. The analysis suggests that conservation agriculture will eventually pay off because total change in economic surplus for 12 years is estimated to be $3,735 million (net present value) if only 1% of the total area adopts the revenue maximization crop mix with a 2 t ha-1 yr-1 soil loss constraint.
- Economic analysis of conservation agriculture in maize-based farming systems in NepalPaudel, Bikash; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Norton, George W.; Nguema, Abigail M.; Sharma, G. B. (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)A linear programming technique was used to estimate the revenue maximizing allocation of land for a representative household using conservation agriculture production system (CAPS) and farmers’ traditional practices. Four practices with conventional tillage taken for model were maize followed by millet i.e. CT[M-Mi], black gram i.e. CT[M-Bg], cowpea i.e. CT[M-C] and followed by millet+cowpea intercrop i.e. CT[M-Mi+C]. One strip tillage practice included in model was maize followed by millet+cowpea intercrop i.e. ST[M-Mi+C]. The model was optimized in five different scenarios. Scenario 1, 2, 3 and 4 were build by allowing annual soil loss to 1, 2, 3 and 4t ha-1yr-1 respectively, whereas scenario 5 was build with unconstrained soil loss. The results of scenario 1 suggest that unless soil loss is considered, conservation tillage does not appear in the profit maximizing allocation of land. Practice with strip tillage appeared in the profit-optimized model of all scenarios where soil loss was constrained in base year. Scenario 1 and 2 had about 71 and 66 % of cultivated land covered with ST [M-Mi+C] practice. But, CT [M-Bg] covered about 65% of the land under soil loss unconstrained model. Result also suggested that the representative farm have to sacrifice about $88.6 ha-1yr-1 for about 7 years (-7.6% revenue) if they aim to reduce the soil loss to 1 t ha-1 yr-1, $50.1 ha-1yr-1 for about 6 years (-4.2% revenue) if they target to reduce soil loss to 2 t ha-1yr-1, and about 27.13 (-2.3% revenue) t ha-1yr-1 to target soil loss of 3 t ha-1yr-1. An analysis of the total change in economic surplus associated with adopting the revenue maximizing crop mix was completed. The analysis suggests that conservation agriculture will eventually pay off because total change in economic surplus for 12 years is estimated to be $3,735 million (net present value) if only 1% of the total area adopts the revenue maximization crop mix with a 2 t ha-1yr-1 soil loss constraint.
- Economic feasibility of conservation agriculture production system (CAPS) for smallholder tribal farmers in Nepal.Paudel, Bikash; Chan, C.; Norton, George W.; Thapa, Keshab; Tamang, Bishal B. (2013)This presentation examines the following research questions:
- Effect of conservation agriculture (on crop yields and system productivity) in maize-based farming system in the mid-hills of NepalPaudel, Bikash (2014)This presentation introduces the concept of using CAPS as a way to improve food security in the Mid-hills region of Nepal.
- Effect of conservation agriculture on maize-based farming system in the mid-hills of NepalPaudel, Bikash; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Crow, Susan; Tamang, Bishal B.; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Thapa, Keshab (2014)Conservation agriculture (CA) systems composed of intercropping and strip tillage practices were evaluated on marginalized maize-based farming system in hill region of Nepal. On-farm experimental trials were conducted on the field of 25 smallholder farmers in three villages of central mid-hill region. Results indicated that although CA systems did not increase crop yields; higher return and revenue were generated due to increased number of crop harvests and higher price of the cash crops used in intercropping. Therefore, it was concluded that smallholder farmers should adopt CA system for increasing return and improving sustainability of the farming system.
- Maintenance of soil quality and sustainable production through implementation of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) in rainfed, sloping land farming of the mid-hill region of NepalCrow, S. E.; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Paudyal, P.; Paudel, Bikash; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Tamage, B. B.; Thapa, Keshab (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)A challenge that central mid-hills communities in Nepal face is maintaining soil fertility and health in upland terraced systems while simultaneously achieving increased productivity and avoiding soil degradation. To determine the effect of conservation agricultural production systems (CAPS) on soil quality and productivity, replicated on-farm experimental plots with a control, legume sole crop, legume intercrop, and reduced tillage treatments were established in three villages of the Trishuli River watershed area. Soil physical and chemical properties were assessed to examine inherent differences among villages that will contribute to success/failure of CAPS. The villages differed in characteristics: high %silt, Mg2+ saturation, and Mn concentration (Thumka); high Ca2+ saturation and bulk density, low porosity and %clay (Hyakrang); stoniness, high %sand, %OM, %N, and effective cation exchange capacity (Khola Gaun). Although no significant differences in yield after two years of cultivation under CAPS were present, significant differences among villages occurred, suggesting the importance of variability in soil, microclimate (e.g., PAR and rainfall), and other socio-economic factors. We expect 1) increases in available N from legume inclusion and 2) improvement in soil quality and structure from organic matter accumulation under reduced tillage; although CAPS may take several years to have direct benefits on production. Further, we expect that CAPS will work indirectly through increased household wealth (via diversification of marketable crops) leading to more livestock and compost for soil amendment. For sustainability, these practices should be paired with agroforestry to improve access to fodder, reduce erosion, and reinforce traditional linkages of communities to forest resources.
- Maximizing revenue for conservation agriculture practice system in maize-based hill farming system of Nepal and estimating change in total economic surplusPaudel, Bikash (2013)The presentation explores the following questions: How can farmers maximize their benefits adopting CAPS in maize based hill farming systems in Nepal,and what would be the projected impacts of adoption of conservation agriculture on economic surplus ?
- On-farm performance evaluation of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) in the central mid-hills of Nepal.Paudel, Bikash; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Crow, Susan; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Tamang, Bishal B.; Reed, Brinton F.; Thapa, Keshab (Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)This abstract presents the first year results of trial plots in each of three Nepali tribal villages. Yield results are presented in terms of protein and household revenue. The results of an analytic hierarchy process conducted in each village to ascertain farmer preferences for CAPS is also presented.
- Potential of conservation agriculture practices (CAPs) in enhancing food security of tribal people in central mid-hills of NepalPaudel, Bikash; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Thapa, Keshab (Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2012)Traditional agriculture in central mid hills of Nepal is characterized by cultivation of steep sloping lands, resulting lower productivity, degradation of soil health and reduction of livelihood options. The Sustainable Management of Agro-ecological Resources in Tribal Societies (SMARTS) project applied a participatory agro-ecological framework to develop improved conservation practices (CAPs) to contribute to sustainable livelihood of Chepang tribal people in central Nepal. CAPs were identified by a multidisciplinary research and extension team in collaboration with farmers. Selected CAPs included: Legume cover crop (cowpea), legume millet intercrop with full tillage and same intercrop with strip tillage. Data on crop yields was collected through systematically designed randomized-block design established in 24 farmers’ fields at three villages. Land equivalency ratio (LER), total protein yield, total carbohydrate yield and farm revenue was compared among different treatments. LER for yield in the millet-cowpea intercrop with full tillage was significantly higher (20%) than sole crops. The major gain is attributed to cowpea, which produced 75 percent of its sole crop yield even in intercropping. The CAPs were found to significantly increase protein yield per square meter, but not carbohydrate yield and revenue generation. However, the seasonal revenue generated from winter crops by all CAPs were significantly higher than millet sole crop. While the long-term effects of CAPs on soil and environmental health remains to be analyzed, these results provide evidence on potential of CAPs to increase yield and contribute to food security while sustaining agro-ecosystem function long-term.
- Projection of aggregate and farm benefits of conservation agriculture productions systems using economic surplus analysis and linear programing in NepalPaudel, Bikash; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Nguema, Abigail M.; Norton, George W.; Tamang, Bishal B.; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Crow, Susan; Halbrendt, Jacqueline (2013)Traditional agriculture in central mid hills of Nepal is characterized by cultivation of sloping lands, resulting in lower productivity and soil loss. The Sustainable Management of Agro-ecological Resources in Tribal Societies (SMARTS) project applied a participatory agro-ecological research framework to develop improved conservation agriculture practices system (CAPS) to contribute to sustainable livelihood of marginalized tribal farmers. This paper used economic surplus analysis at macro level to analyze the effect of adoption of adoption of different CAPS by farmers on aggregate benefits. The paper also used farm level linear programming model to estimate the revenue maximization allocation of the land for a representative households. The result indicated adoption of CAPS 2 (i.e. maize in first season followed by cowpea cover crop) increased the aggregate economic surplus but adoption of CAPS 3 and CAPS 4 did not increase the economic surplus. At farm level profit maximization model showed, when the soil loss is not considered, adoption of CAPS 1 on all land produced maximum revenue. Under the scenario build with maximum soil loss of 1 ton ha-1 year-1, adoption of CAPS 4 (maize followed by millet+cowpea intercrop with strip tillage) on 61% of land, CAPS 2 on 34% of land and CAPS 3 on 4% (maize followed by millet+cowpea intercrop with conventional tillage) was profit maximizing. Farmers can increase farm revenue and profit by adopting either of the scenarios.
- Sustainable Management of Agro-ecological Resources for Tribal Societies (SMARTS) in India & NepalChan, C.; Idol, Travis; Ray, Chittaranjan; Roul, P.; Tamang, Bishal B.; Pande, K.; Paudel, Bikash; Pradhan, Aliza; Halbrendt, Jacqueline (2014)This PowerPoint summarizes the research and training activities of SANREM’s regional project in India and Nepal. The presentation includes results from agronomic studies in both sites, as well as gender-related analysis, cognitive modeling, and impacts on health and nutrition.
- Using competition ratios and total revenue parameters to assess millet and legume intercropping under conservation agriculture production systems in NepalPaudel, Bikash; Radovich, Theodore J. K.; Crow, Susan; Halbrendt, Jacqueline; Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Tamang, Bishal B.; Reed, Brinton F. (Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2013)Intercropping ratios such as land equivalency ratio (LER), competition ratio (CR), monetary advantage index (MAI) and total revenue from millet+legume intercrop under different conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) designed for maize-based hill farming system of Nepal were compared using general linear model ANOVA. The data was collected through on-farm experimental plots from 28 farming households in central mid-hill of Nepal for two years. Maize was the only crop in first season (March-June), which was followed by four treatments, i.e. millet sole by conventional tillage (CT), legume sole by CT, millet+legume with CT and millet+legume with strip tillage (ST). Cowpea was planted as legume crop in first year, while was replaced by black gram in second year. The initial trend indicated ST had negative effect on yield of following season maize crop. The average LER of intercropping treatments was significantly higher than the sole crops indicating advantage of intercropping, but strip tillage was found to reduce the derived advantage. Although, LER of millet+legume intercrop increased from 1.16 to 1.31 in ST and 1.27 to 1.39 in CT in second year, total revenue decreased because of reduced contribution of high value legume to total LER. Millet+black gram intercrop in second year was found to have higher LER and monetary advantage index (MAI) than millet+cowpea intercrop in first year. It was found that there is economic incentive to farmers for adopting intercropping but there is no incentive adopt conservation tillage in short term. Considering the long-term sustainability and ecosystem benefits of conservation tillage, farmers need to be provided with initial supports for adoption of conservation agriculture.