Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture in the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.2 Statement of problem

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.4 Research questions

1.5 Rationale of the study

1.6 Significance of the study

1.7 Delimitation of the study

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Climate Change

2.2 The Greenhouse effect

2.3 Greenhouse Gases

2.4 Sulphur-dioxide

2.5 Methane

2.6 Carbon-dioxide

2.7 Carbon-monoxide (CO)

2.8 Water vapor

2.9 Oxides of nitrogen

2.10 Risk of climate change in the context of south Asia

2.11 Risk of climate change in the context of Nepal

2.12 Nepal as agricultural country

2.13 Temperature status of Nepal

2.14 The rainfall status of Nepal

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research design

3.2 Selection of the study area

3.3 Description of the study area

3.4 Selection of samples

3.5 Sample size

3.6 Sources of data

3.7 Key informants

3.8 Methods of data collection

3.9 Key informants interview

3.10 Direct observation

3.11 Questionnaire Schedule

3.12 Group discussion

3.13 Formal and informal meetings

3.14 Procedures of data collection

4. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

4.1 Unknown Virus destroyed the whole farm

4.2 New kind of insect devouring the tomatoes

4.3 Green Caterpillar in the corn leaves

4.4 Holes in the leaves of lady’s figure plant

4.5 Strange moth makes hole in the Bitter gourd

4.6 Zero Cucumber harvest

4.7 Invasion of the new plants and wild grass species

4.8 Barren lands

4.9 Wheat, Barley and millet are planted no more

4.10 Shifting in the crop plantation period

4.11 Paddy plantation in the dry field

4.12 Epidemic disease in paddy

4.13 Cultivation of Corn in the rice fields

4.14 Amount of agricultural harvest reduced a lot

4.15 Mitigation measures of climate change on agriculture

5. RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Results

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendations

5.4 Area of further research

Research Objectives and Themes

This thesis examines the impact of climate change on agriculture in the PuranoNaikap village, located in the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. The research aims to understand how shifting weather patterns, such as altered rainfall and temperature fluctuations, affect crop production, agricultural practices, and local livelihoods, while also exploring potential mitigation and adaptation strategies for farmers.

• Impact of climate change on crop yield and production stability.
• Changes in traditional agricultural calendars and plantation periods.
• The emergence of new pests, diseases, and invasive plant species due to rising temperatures.
• Local farmer perceptions, adaptation strategies, and the need for policy interventions.

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Summary of Chapters

INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides the background of the study, the problem statement regarding the observed decline in agricultural productivity, and the specific objectives and research questions guiding the study.

LITERATURE REVIEW: This section reviews existing knowledge on climate change, greenhouse effects, and gases, while contextualizing the risks of climate change for South Asia, Nepal, and specifically the agricultural sector.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the qualitative and quantitative methods used, including site selection (PuranoNaikap), sampling techniques, and data collection tools such as interviews, observations, and questionnaires.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA: This chapter presents the empirical findings regarding the adverse effects of climate change, including viral diseases in crops, insect infestations, and shifts in cultivation patterns.

RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This final chapter synthesizes the study's findings, draws conclusions about the severe impact of climate change on local agriculture, and proposes recommendations for mitigation and future research.

Keywords

Climate Change, Agriculture, Kathmandu Valley, PuranoNaikap, Global Warming, Crop Production, Viral Diseases, Pest Infestation, Adaptation, Mitigation, Rainfall Patterns, Food Security, Sustainability, Subsistence Farming, Ropani.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research focuses on analyzing the detrimental impacts of climate change and global warming on agricultural productivity and practices in the peripheral areas of the Kathmandu Valley, specifically within the PuranoNaikap village.

What are the primary themes discussed in the work?

The study covers themes such as changing climate and weather patterns, the emergence of epidemic plant diseases, the impact on soil and water resources, the shift in agricultural planting calendars, and the socioeconomic challenges faced by local farmers.

What is the main objective of the thesis?

The primary objective is to identify and document the specific effects of climate change on crop production and agricultural patterns in the research area, as well as to suggest feasible mitigation and adaptation measures.

Which methodology was applied in this study?

The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data (yield statistics) and qualitative research (interviews, field observations, and formal/informal meetings with key stakeholders and farmers).

What topics are covered in the main body of the work?

The main body treats the identification of viral crop diseases, the arrival of invasive insect species, changes in crop viability (e.g., disappearance of certain crops), the problem of barren lands, and the adaptation of farmers to different crop varieties like corn.

Which keywords characterize this study?

The study is best described by keywords such as Climate Change, Agriculture, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, crop yield reduction, adaptation, mitigation, and food security.

How does the study explain the emergence of new plant species in Kathmandu?

The research notes that rising temperatures in the Kathmandu Valley, caused by climate change, have created conditions similar to those in the lower-altitude Terai region, allowing tropical fruits like mango and banana to flourish at higher altitudes than previously possible.

What specific impact did the researcher observe regarding rice and maize cultivation?

The study reveals a significant reduction in yields, with rice production decreasing by 65% and maize by 50% over the last decade, largely due to unseasonal rainfall, drought, and an increase in epidemic viral diseases.

What role does the local Village Development Committee (VDC) play according to the text?

The VDC serves as a source for regional demographic and land-use data, and the researcher suggests that local governance is critical for future policy-making, land-plotting regulations, and providing support for farmers facing these environmental crises.