Deepak Lochan Adhikari, Technical Advisor, Development Inn Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal
Chiranjibi Rijal
Managing Director, Development Inn Pvt. Ltd,
Kathmandu, Nepal
ABSTRACT
Agriculture
is the backbone for sustaining rural livelihoods in Nepal. Such an important
sector is
predominantly based on natural rainfall. Although Nepal is blessed with
abundant rainfall on annual basis, most of it occurs during four monsoon months
leaving other months almost dry. The hill and mountain slopes are the most
water scarce areas. Climate change effects have further aggravated the
reliability of rainfall as seen from past years. Poorest have been the hardest hit due to their low
adaptive capacity. To cope with the seasonal water scarcity local community
have built varieties of water storage structures since historical times. Over
years improved modern structures have also been adopted by them with or without
agency support. These water storage systems have made significant improvement in
the agricultural livelihoods of the rural hill community through easier access
to water for micro-irrigation to grow high value crops, livestock watering and
domestic water needs. Especially, small water tanks at household level such as
modified thai-jars have profound positive effect among rural women who take the
prime role to manage water for multiple uses. This paper presents a description
of various types of water tank technologies being used by the hill communities of
Nepal. Some international experiences have also been cited. Basic impacts of
the tank users in their livelihoods are presented. Constraints and
opportunities at local and national levels for tank dissemination are
identified. On the basis of findings some recommendations are proposed for
future course of actions including policy issues. Year-round irrigation is available, farmers grow irrigated crops – wheat, potatoes and vegetables in winter; and spring paddy, mungbean and irrigated maize in spring. Crop production in the dry season has been made possible largely by irrigation, though rainfed winter cropping is feasible in areas of high rainfall (in central and eastern regions) and also through using residual soil moisture following the wet season rice crop. The
methodologies used were review of secondary information, field observation, and
interviews. Finally potential for its expansion is projected and institutional implementation
framework is recommended.
