Nepal is still an agricultural country. It find its economy depending on agriculture. But the changing climate has had a severe negative impact in the sector. Especially it is huge deal for Nepal, where 66% of the population are involved in Agriculture and more than 1/3rd of the GDP comes from it.
In Nepal, climate change is causing an increase in food insecurity. Climate-related disasters and a lack of adaptive effort are responsible for almost 10% of the reduction in production.
Climate change refers to the deviance of general atmospheric condition from its original state. It means something is different with the environment that we have been living so far. It is disturbing the balance of nature adversely affecting agriculture, health, tourism, forest and wildlife and as a whole the economy depending on nature.
Food is one of the basic needs of survival. And it is the agriculture sector that supports food supplies. Impacts in agriculture is not only an economic concern but a concern of human's survival. Climate Change has affected agriculture sector the most, leading to the risk of food crisis and food hunger.
In 2020, food grain production will drop by 5.3 percent (NAP, 2016).
Firstly, we have more than 50 % rainfall dependent farming in Nepal. And the responsible factor for change in rainfall timing and pattern is Climate Change. This has led to increased barren land. Facts suggests that in the last 10 years 30,845 hectar of land became uncultivable due to climate related impacts in Nepal.
Secondly, the fertility status of soil is degrading due to intense rainfall. And obviously, less fertility means less production. The story behind this is short and intense rainfall. Increased temperature has increased the water holding capacity of the air. So, we have been receiving intense rainfall these days. Due to which top and arable soil layer is separarated and swept away by the force of rainfall.
Thirdly, the balance between Green Water and Blue water is reduced. Green Water refers to the amount of water retained by the soil or absorbed by plants before joining to the water streams. Blue water refers to the water we see in rivers, lakes, ponds or any other water resources. This disturbed balance is followed by increased evapo-transpiration. Thus resulting drought.
Rice yields were down 11% and wheat yields were down 7% in 2006 due to drought.Drought in the eastern region reduced rice production by 30%, and significant flooding in the mid-western and far-western regions reduced rice production by 30% between 2006 and 2008.
Then, we have temperature rise altering the agro-climate zones and crop life cycle. Crops that were suggested for a lower domain or terai region can be grown in hilly region as well. This seems somewhat positive but if we look at the local-indigineous resources of high hills and mountains, they are unable to find their place here on Earth. Actually, they are getting extinct.
Similarly, we can observe the difference in timing of flower bloom, crop maturity and harvesting. This has a direct impact in crop yield. Our cropping system is all messed up.
Then, there is problem with the availability of water resources and uniform distributuion. As discussed earlier, unpredicted rainfall is increasing number of barren lands. Also the underground water table drying up. This will have direct effect in human health along with the agriculture.
Furthermore, frequency of natural calamities like flood, landslide, drought, etc. are increasing. We can hear news of landslide and flood more frequent nowadays. Along with the human property and lives this has destroyed standing crops, wildlives, forest resources, etc. Plus the cultivable land of future is no more or no more cultivable.
One of the most important impacts of climate change is increased diseases and pests infestation. The is a significant yield reduce in agro-produce. Also the chemical control in reducing the effects of pests and diseases attack used in farm has adversely affected human health.Fruit drop is more common due to increased temperature.
Glacier lake Outbrust and reduced Snowfall in mountains are also affecting Agriculture. How? In short run, precipitation as rainfall in mountains rather than snowfall and increased glacier lake outbrust has positive effect. It supports the increased downstream flow and water quantity.
But if we are talking about the long run, there would be no water moving from mountains, resulting reduced water flow, reduced under-ground water table and water crisis. If humans will struggle in thrist, there is no way plants would get adequate water for agriculture.
169.8, 188.7 and 87.6 hectares of agriculture land is in direct risk of Glacier Lake Outbrust in 100km from Tsho Rolpa, Thulagi Lake and Imja Tsho respectively.
In the same way, parts of agriculture, livestock rearing and fisheries is also affected by Climate Change.
We can observe problems with the breeding and fertilization in livestock due to rise in temperature. Similarly, Climate change has reduced pasture land in high hills and mountains. Life in the far north, which was already very bad is now getting worse.
The other problems in animal husbandry include increased disease outbreak. Farmers of Nepal who have a huge investment in Livestock are bering huge loss. They are unable to invest in buying fodder and the forest resources where they have been depending for ages is depleted or completely destroyed.
Similarly, tropical fishes are migrating to temperate due to increased temperature. When temperatures rise, fish populations decline; as water quality deteriorates, diseases emerge, resulting in widespread mortality.
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