Climate Change and Its Impact
The demand for large cardamom has been increasing in the global market but cardamom farming difficulty has also increased due to the climate change and its impact (Mishra & Gurung, 2023). Climate change is the long-term shift in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities, resulting in significant environmental impacts. Lamjung district is recognized as one of the nine districts deemed highly vulnerable to climate change, according to the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) report from 2010 by the Government of Nepal.
One of the major impacts of climate change can be seen in the rainfall pattern and also temperature. In Nepal, temperature trends indicate a significant warming pattern, particularly in higher latitudes such as the middle mountains and the Himalayan region, where increases range from 0.6°C to 1.2°C per decade. In contrast, the Shivalik and Terai regions have experienced a more modest warming rate of less than 0.3°C per decade. Since the late 1970s, maximum temperatures in Nepal have shown a consistent upward trend. Notably, the variation in minimum temperatures has been greater than that of maximum temperatures (Mitra, 2002).
The average precipitation in Nepal is rising by 13 mm each year, while the number of rainy days is declining by 0.8 days annually. This significant increase in summer river flow indicates that higher summer temperatures are causing glaciers to melt and retreat at an accelerated pace (Devkota, 2014). Prolong drought during the critical period of large cardamom also contributes to the lower production. There is absence of winter rainfall and the region receives higher intensity of rain during a period of 4 months (May -July).Lack of irrigation facilities in most of the cardamom growing region aid to the problem .Drought conditions create an environment conducive to the spread of diseases and pests. For instance, common diseases like chirkey (mosaic streak) and furkey (bushy dwarf) have been reported to increase under stress conditions, leading to significant crop losses. The combination of drought and disease has been identified as a major factor in declining large cardamom production (Sharma et al., 2016). The increase in temperature of the region due to global warming has caused shift in the flora towards higher elevation. Phenotypic trait of the plant is determined by the genetic and environmental factors. Elevation in turn determines the environmental factors and microclimatic condition of region. Thus, climate change has caused increase in the temperature, shift in flora and impact on the phenotypic traits of large cardamom.
To better understand the impact of climate change on large cardamom farming in Lamjung district a survey was carried out among 120 large cardamom farmers using stratified random sampling method. A semi-structured interview schedule was designed and used for the survey.
Perception on Climate Change
Majority of the farmers (110) have noticed change in the climate and majorly changes were seen on rainfall and temperature.
Figure: Farmers Perception on Climate Change
Perception on Rainfall
The production of large cardamom has been influenced by both the intensity and duration of rainfall. According to farmers’ perceptions, 91.7% reported an increase in rainfall intensity, while 1.7% noted a decrease, and the remaining 6.7% indicated that there had been no change. Moreover, 92.5% reported decrease in rainfall duration and majority of them (58%) responded with no change in overall rainfall.
Farmers have reported that a reduction in the duration of rainfall has exacerbated the severity of drought conditions. They added lack of irrigation facilities and complete reliance on rainfall had created difficulties to cope with increasing drought problems. Additionally, the occurrence of intense rainfall during the monsoon season has resulted in excessive moisture, ultimately contributing to the prevalence of rhizome rot disease.
Table 1: Perception On Rainfall Intensity, Rainfall Duration And Total Rainfall
| Respondents Number | ||||
| Rainfall | Increasing | Decreasing | Constant | Don’t Know |
| Intensity | 110(91.7) | 2(1.7) | 8(6.7) | 0 |
| Duration | 0 | 111(92.5) | 8(6.7) | 1(0.8) |
| Overall | 10(8.3) | 42(35) | 58(48.3) | 10(8.3) |
| Note: Figures in Parenthesis includes percentage | ||||
Perception on Temperature
Farmers perceive increased temperatures as a clear indicator of climate change, identifying elevated winter temperatures as a significant climatic hazard that signals winter drought.91.7% of the farmer’s perceived increase in summer temperature and rest 8.3% felt no increase or decrease in summer temperature. Similarly, 62.5% of the respondent’s perceived increase in winter temperature and 93% of the respondents felt that there has been increase in overall temperature. A study conducted to know about climate change impacts in Lamjung district has shown similar outcome after assessing 30 years of temperature data from meteorological station (Joshi et al., 2019).
Table 2: Perception On Summer, Winter and Overall Temperature
| Respondents Number | ||||
| Temperature | Increasing | Decreasing | Constant | Don’t Know |
| Summer | 110(91.7) | 0 | 10(8.3) | 0 |
| Winter | 62(51.7) | 40(33.3) | 14(11.7) | 4(3.3) |
| Overall | 93(77.5) | 1(0.8) | 18(15.0) | 8(6.7) |
| Note: Figures in Parenthesis includes percentage | ||||
Measures Taken by the Farmers
1) Adaptive measures
The present status of large cardamom production and the condition of plantation area has led farmers in discontentment and despair regarding the rehabilitation of large cardamom in Lamjung.Therefore, they have started to diversify their economic activity. They are shifting to the alternative farming practices and the crops once considered minor and farmed at subsistence level are now increasing in both productive area and production. The farmers have also started increasing their livestock population.
2) Mitigative Measures
One of the severe impact of climate change is seen on the rainfall pattern and drought has found its way. Farmers now have started to irrigate the plantation area with their own initiative or with the support of government to protect the cardamom plants from drying and dying. Furthermore, rehabilitation of old plantation areas and virgin land are being carried out by the farmers with the help of Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project (PMAMP),PIU Lamjung.
3) Support From the Government
Large cardamom being the second largest export commodity of Nepal, government of Nepal has implemented various stratigies and program for the increased production and ultimately increased export to the foreign countries. Through various project the government has provided farmers with subsidy on irrigation facilities, machinery, improved drying technology, saplings, insect pest and disease management and training to the farmers regarding plantation area management. However, climate resilient straregies have not been practiced specifically for large cardamom farming.
Climate Resilient Strategies For Large Cardamom Farming
1) Agronomic Practices:
Diversification: Intercrop with shade-tolerant crops like coffee or tea to reduce risk and increase income.
Improved Varieties: Select varieties resistant to pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions.
Soil Health: Maintain soil fertility through organic practices like composting and green manuring.
Water Management:Implement efficient irrigation systems to conserve water during dry spells.
2) Agroforestry:
Shade Trees: Plant shade-tolerant trees to regulate temperature and soil moisture.
3) Technological Innovations:
Early Warning Systems:Use weather forecasting tools to anticipate extreme events and take preventive measures.
Climate-Smart Agriculture:Adopt technologies like precision agriculture for optimized resource use.
4) Policy and Institutional Support:
Extension Services:Provide farmers with training and technical assistance on climate-resilient practices.
Market Diversification:Explore new markets and value-added products to reduce reliance on a single crop.
Insurance Programs:Implement crop insurance schemes to protect farmers from losses due to extreme weather.
5) Community-Based Adaptation:
Knowledge Sharing:Foster knowledge exchange among farmers to share successful adaptation strategies.
Community Resilience:Strengthen community resilience through disaster preparedness and response plans.
As the activities of human beings have led climate to change and its impact now is what cannot go unnoticed. The climate change impacts can be seen widespread and agrobiodiversity is at verge. Its high time we shift our focus on environment and ecology and adapt climate resilient practice for the food security of today and tomorrow .By adopting above mentioned strategies, large cardamom farmers can enhance their resilience to climate change and ensure sustainable production in the face of increasing challenges.
REFERENCES
Devkota, R. P. (2014). Climate Change: Trends and People’s Perception in Nepal. Journal of
Environmental Protection, 5(4), 255-265. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.4236/jep.2014.54029
Mishra, U., & Gurung, B. R. (2023). Reviving and sustaining large cardamom production in Nepal.
Mitra, A. (2002). Climate change in South Asia and water resources (South Asia Regional Background).In Water resources in South Asia: An assessment of climate change associated vulnerabilities and coping mechanism (A cooperative program, Bangladesh,India,Nepal and Pakistan. Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research.
Sharma, G., Partap, U., Dahal, D. R., Sharma, D. P., & Sharma, E. (2016). Declining Large-
Cardamom Production Systems in the Sikkim Himalayas: Climate Change Impacts,
Agroeconomic Potential and Revival Strategies. Mountain Research and Development,
36(3), 286-298. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-14-00122.1
Joshi, A., Farquhar, S., Assareh, N., Dahlet, L., & Landhal, E. (2019). Climate change in Lamjung District, Nepal: meteorological evidence, community perceptions, and responses. Environmental Research Communications, 1(13). https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ab1762
