The ability to produce food for oneself and others is a cornerstone of human survival. It is the most crucial factor in maintaining a healthy population. The food production industry operates worldwide. Different countries have varying amounts of arable land and resources, leading to differences in their ability to feed growing populations well. Food needs are significant, but it is hard to raise enough. Farmers are experimenting with new techniques, such as irrigation farming in Nepal.

Nepal and the Land

Nestled in the heart of South Asia, Nepal boasts a population of more than 30 million people. Within its borders, the vibrant capital city of Kathmandu accommodates 1.5 million residents, representing a significant portion of the 21.9% of the population dwelling in urban settings.

Nepal boasts a diverse geographical landscape, encompassing the towering heights of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. Despite its stunning natural features, Nepal is landlocked, without direct access to water bodies. Instead, the country relies on its intricate river system for water access, yet this reliance has translated into only 28.8% of its land being arable.

Despite the limited arable land available, agriculture is a cornerstone of Nepal’s economy, occupying a prominent position within the nation’s economic framework. Approximately two-thirds of Nepal’s workforce is engaged in agricultural activities, with maize, rice and wheat emerging as the primary crops cultivated. However, with the country’s population on the rise and urbanization expanding, the pressure on arable land intensifies, necessitating the adoption of farming practices that can adapt to these evolving conditions.

Irrigation Farming

Given these considerations, irrigation farming has emerged as a viable solution to Nepal’s challenges. Irrigation farming involves the artificial delivery of water to the soil using various methods such as pipes, sprays and tubes. This technique is invaluable in areas with insufficient rainfall or constrained water access. Typically, water is sourced from alternative reservoirs like groundwater, rivers or wells. It is then meticulously distributed across the land, ensuring uniform coverage.

Nepal tailors its approach to irrigation farming to fit its unique environmental conditions. It results in diverse methods across its varied geography. Among the prevalent techniques is using Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems (FMIS), where farmers independently construct, operate and maintain the irrigation infrastructure with minimal external intervention. Although Nepalese farmers have passed down this practice through generations, the government formally acknowledged its immense value in expanding irrigation farming nationwide in 1980. The system operates through a surface irrigation system, recognized globally as the most prevalent irrigation method. In this system, water is evenly dispersed across the land, relying on gravity to permeate the soil as it flows downhill.

The irrigation system has proven to be remarkably effective in bolstering food production in Nepal. Farmers manage approximately 70% of all irrigated farmland in the country through the FMIS. Furthermore, a substantial 40% of the domestically cultivated food in Nepal stems from the multitude of operational FMIS. Notably, the Terai region, renowned for its extensive arable land, hosts 1,700 irrigation systems managed by the organization’s farmers. Meanwhile, the hill regions boast a staggering 15,000 in operation.

Conclusion

While it serves as a remedy for the escalating food demand, Nepal faces mounting challenges amid population growth and dwindling natural water reservoirs due to rising temperatures and the changing climate. Nevertheless, irrigation farming in Nepal stands poised to mitigate food insecurity by introducing innovative cultivation methods. As farmers contend for water resources, it becomes imperative to sustainably manage FMIS systems, thereby facilitating the establishment of irrigation systems without depleting land resources.

– Alexandra Straumann
Photo: Flickr