Introduction
Nepal, a country rich in cultural and biological diversity, faces significant challenges due to climate change. With its varied topography, ranging from the lowland Terai plains to the towering Himalayas, Nepal’s agricultural systems are diverse but highly vulnerable to climatic shifts. Agrobiodiversity—the variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms that contribute to agricultural production—is crucial for food security, resilience, and sustainable development in Nepal. However, climate change threatens this vital resource, impacting agricultural practices and food systems.
About 80% of the Nepalese population depends on agriculture for their livelihood and follow traditional cultivation practices. The projected changes in climatic conditions of Nepal will adversely affect agriculture production. Climate change is expected to lead to increasing dryness in drought-prone areas and to wetter conditions in wet areas. The plant varieties currently available in different regions in Nepal may not be adapted to new production conditions. There have already been alarming signs of sharp and sustained decline in food security in Nepal; for instance, winter food crop harvests for 2009 in all regions have declined sharply. The extreme weather phenomenon, including droughts and floods, is expected to induce food vulnerability to the already food insecure 3.4 million people in Nepal and this increases the cost of coping dramatically (WFP, 2009).
National policy responses to climate change
Nepal ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 1994 and signed the Kyoto Protocol in September 1995. The Government of Nepal identified the Ministry of Environment (MoE2) as the Designated National Authority (DNA) as part of its commitment to the effective implementation of climate change policies. The Government of Nepal prepared a National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report and an Initial National Communication Report (2004). A second National Communication Report is currently being prepared and MoE is developing a national climate change policy. In 2008, the Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) began work on the preparation and implementation of the NAPA. There are other national initiatives like the Pilot Programme on Climate Resilience (PPCR) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD).
Impact of Climate Change on Agrobiodiversity
- Changing Climate Patterns
Nepal has experienced increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. These changes lead to unpredictable weather events such as floods, droughts, and landslides, which disrupt agricultural cycles and threaten crop yields. For instance, traditional crops like rice, maize, and millet are becoming less reliable due to shifting growing seasons. - Loss of Traditional Varieties
Many local varieties of crops and livestock, which have evolved to adapt to specific local conditions, are at risk. As farmers face the pressures of climate change, there is a tendency to favor high-yielding varieties that may not be well-suited to the local environment. This shift can lead to a decline in traditional agrobiodiversity, diminishing resilience against pests, diseases, and extreme weather. - Ecosystem Disruption
Climate change affects ecosystems that support agricultural biodiversity. Changes in temperature and precipitation alter habitats, impacting pollinators and other beneficial organisms essential for crop production. A decline in pollinator populations, for example, can directly affect yields of fruits and vegetables.
Importance of Agrobiodiversity
Agrobiodiversity plays a crucial role in enhancing food security and nutrition, particularly in a country like Nepal, where agriculture employs over 60% of the population. Diverse agricultural systems:
- Increase Resilience: Diverse crop varieties can better withstand pests and diseases, ensuring a stable food supply even in adverse conditions.
- Enhance Nutrition: A wide range of crops contributes to dietary diversity, improving nutritional outcomes for local populations.
- Support Livelihoods: Agrobiodiversity provides a safety net for farmers, allowing them to adapt to changing market demands and environmental conditions.
Strategies for Enhancing Agrobiodiversity
- Promoting Indigenous Knowledge
Integrating traditional agricultural practices and local knowledge into modern farming can enhance resilience. Programs that document and promote the use of indigenous crop varieties can help preserve agrobiodiversity. - Climate-Resilient Farming Practices
Encouraging sustainable farming techniques, such as agroforestry, intercropping, and organic farming, can help farmers adapt to climate impacts while maintaining biodiversity. - Policy Support and Research
Government policies should prioritize the conservation of agrobiodiversity and support research on climate-resilient crop varieties. Collaboration between agricultural scientists, policymakers, and local communities is essential for developing effective strategies. - Community-Based Initiatives
Involving local communities in conservation efforts fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that initiatives are culturally appropriate and sustainable. Community seed banks, for example, can help preserve traditional varieties.
Supporting farmer adaptation strategies
Some practices have already been identified as likely to support adaptation to climate change. These can be included in the NAPA and supported at farm level. Examples include in situ conservation of crop and livestock genetic resources, maintenance of local seed systems, improved farmer access to genebanks, promotion of a wider portfolio of varieties and crops (particularly a number of neglected and underutilised crops), and identification of adaptive traits and inclusion in crop and livestock improvement programmes, including grassroots and participatory breeding. Adaptation activities should take account of local and indigenous knowledge and participation and of the importance of some resilient and diversity rich production systems such as home gardens. The Community-based Biodiversity Management (CBM) approach supported by LI-BIRD and other organisations is a holistic way to integrate crops, forestry, fish and livestock to mitigate negative effects of climate change at the local level.
Conclusion
Addressing the challenges posed by climate change to agrobiodiversity in Nepal is vital for the country’s agricultural sustainability and food security. By valuing and protecting agrobiodiversity, Nepal can enhance the resilience of its agricultural systems, supporting both the livelihoods of its farmers and the nutritional needs of its population. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders, from local farmers to national policymakers, will be crucial in safeguarding this invaluable resource for future generations.
In Nepal, the development of the NAPA has started and the government plans to complete it in 18 months. Currently there is an ongoing debate and discussion amongst government and civil society, mostly in agriculture sector, about the national adaptation strategies and actions on agriculture and food security. The participation of all those involved in the agriculture sector is also central to this discussion. 13There is clear evidence and an increasing recognition among a number of sectors for the importance of agrobiodiversity to build adaptability and resilience of rural communities and agroecosystems and, thus, supporting adaptation to changing conditions under climate change. The conservation of local crop and livestock landraces and traditional practices can help farmers cope with many different types of adversity. There are number of good practices in agrobiodiversity management that can enhance the adaptation capacity of farmers to adverse impact of climate change (http://www.agrobiodiversityplatform.org/climate_change). Farmers and rural communities in Nepal and around the world are already adapting to climate change and developing new practices to meet changing circumstances. This needs to be supported with new materials and relevant new practices provided in appropriate ways.
