November 2013 Vol. 1 No. 4

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating the changes in climate and its implications on peri-urban agriculture

*Anushiya Shrestha and Rajesh Sada

Nepal Engineering College-Center for Postgraduate Studies, Balkhu, Nepal

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: anushiyas@nec.edu.np; Tel: 00977-9841578432

Accepted October 07, 2013

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of changing climatic context in Kathmandu valley based on the analysis of temperature and rainfall data and perception of local people on key climatic variables. Perceived changes in climate, its impacts on peri-urban agriculture and adaptation strategies practiced by peri-urban farmers were assessed using participatory tools and household questionnaire survey at four peri-urban villages in Kathmandu valley. Temperature in Kathmandu showed an increasing trend while rainfall was erratic with no distinct pattern. The impacts of these changes on agriculture have been primarily negative with increase in crop pests and diseases and decline in the crop production. The adaptive strategies evolved include shifts in cropping dates, switch towards drought tolerant crop varieties and application of technological inputs to adapt against the increasing climatic stresses. The study found needs of communicating the knowledge and experiences, replicating the successful adaptive practices and intervening to control malpractices to strengthen the adaptive capacity and ensure resilient peri-urban agriculture.

Keywords: Peri-urban agriculture, rainfall, temperature, impacts, adaptation.