Browsing by Author "Thapa, Keshab"

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    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:
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    Effect of conservation agriculture (on crop yields and system productivity) in maize-based farming system in the mid-hills of Nepal
    Paudel, Bikash (2014)
    This presentation introduces the concept of using CAPS as a way to improve food security in the Mid-hills region of Nepal.
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    Effect of conservation agriculture on maize-based farming system in the mid-hills of Nepal
    Paudel, 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.
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    LIBIRD 2012 Calander, LI-BIRDko Chautari
    LI-BIRD (Pokhara, Nepal: Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LIBIRD), 2012)
    Features SMARTS Program in Nepal.
  • 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 Nepal
    Crow, 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.
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    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 Nepal
    Paudel, 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.