Agricultural System of Nepal

Agriculture refers to the occupation related to food production, animal husbandry, and fruit and vegetable farming. Nepal is an agriculture-based country. 

About two-thirds of the population here is dependent on agriculture. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of the total gross domestic product. Nepal's agricultural system is traditional and subsistence-oriented. There is a lack of commercialization and modernization in agriculture. It is necessary to formulate long-term plans and modernize agriculture. 

The development of the agricultural sector provides the basis for the overall development of the country and raising the living standards of the people. For this, it is necessary to improve the current traditional and subsistence-oriented agricultural system and make it commercial and modern. 

National policies and programs should also be directed towards this goal.

Characteristics of Nepal's Agricultural System

Agriculture is the backbone of Nepal's economy. It has its own characteristics. The characteristics of Nepal's agricultural system can be summarized in the following points:

(a) Subsistence Agriculture: The majority of people in Nepal are engaged in agriculture for subsistence. Although efforts have been made to commercialize agriculture in some places here, the agricultural system has not been able to rise above the traditional methods. Due to the lack of use of modern agricultural inputs, production is low. Production is not according to the labor, so people's attraction to this occupation is not seen to be increasing.

(b) Small Size of Agricultural Land: The size of agricultural land used in Nepal is small and fragmented. The practice of farming in small fields and terraces is prevalent. This has also led to low production. While agricultural land needs to be increased in size, the work of further reducing its size in the process of inheritance and land division is increasing.

(c) Unequal Distribution of Land: The distribution of agricultural land is unequal in Nepal. Some farmers in Nepal are landless or have limited land, while some have occupied large tracts of land.

(d) Dominance of Food Crops: Food crops dominate agricultural production in Nepal. Food crops include paddy, maize, wheat, millet, and buckwheat. Compared to food crops, the production of cash crops, industrial crops, and spice crops is low.

(e) Dual Ownership of Land: Dual ownership still exists in agricultural land in Nepal. This has made it difficult to commercialize and modernize agriculture. The situation where the landlord gives only a small portion of the production to the tenant and the tenant does not take interest in agricultural production due to not owning the land is prevalent.

(f) Geographical Diversity: Nepal is a country with geographical diversity, so its agricultural system is also similar. The Terai is a suitable region for agriculture. Therefore, the Terai region is also known as the granary of our country. Most of the country's land area is in the hills and mountains, where there is more diversity in land. Therefore, diversity is also found in agricultural production according to geographical diversity.

Importance of Agriculture

Agriculture is the means of fulfilling the basic needs of most people in Nepal. With about two-thirds of the country's total population engaged in agriculture and agriculture accounting for about one-third of the total gross domestic product, agriculture can be considered the backbone of Nepal's economy. The importance of agriculture in Nepal's economic development can be mentioned as follows:

(a) Main Source of Livelihood: Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for people. About two-thirds of the country's total population is dependent on this occupation. This includes engagement in crops, animal husbandry, poultry farming, pig farming, goat farming, fish farming, and fruit and vegetable farming.

(b) Major Sector of Employment: Since about 66% of the population of Nepal is involved in agriculture, agriculture has provided a basis for employment. Therefore, without the development of the agricultural sector, the living standards of the people here cannot be raised. This also shows the importance of agriculture.

(c) Supply of Food: The main food crops, animal husbandry, vegetables, and fruits produced here have made the country's food supply system easy. Some food items are also exported.

(d) Source of Industrial Raw Materials: Raw materials required for industries such as rice mills, jute, tobacco, flour, cotton, oil, tea, and sugar are supplied from the agricultural sector. This helps in the development of industries.

(e) Basis of National Income: Agriculture accounts for about 31.7% of Nepal's total gross domestic product. Agriculture is the main source of income here. The production of food and cash crops, animal husbandry, fruits, and vegetables contributes to the national income.

(f) Basis of Rural Development: The basis of employment for people living in rural areas is the agricultural sector. The production of this sector also helps other sectors such as industry, trade, and business, thereby creating employment opportunities in rural areas. Since the agricultural sector is the basis for increasing the income of the rural population, it also leads to an increase in their consumption and improvement in the standard of living.

(g) Basis for Domestic and Foreign Trade: Agricultural products have played an important role in the country's domestic and foreign trade. The main items bought and sold in the country's domestic trade are agricultural, while most of the exported items are also agricultural products. Therefore, agricultural production has provided the basis for the country's domestic and foreign trade.

(h) Basis for Animal Husbandry: Along with farming, animal husbandry is also practiced under agriculture in Nepal. The necessary fodder for rearing cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, etc., is also obtained from the agricultural sector.