Promotion Of Organic Agriculture

Agriculture in Nepal is predominantly characterised by traditional subsistence farming. Nearly one fourth of agricultural land is cultivated without external inputs. The average landholding is small, and farming in the hills and upland areas is mostly rain-fed, making it more complex and risk-prone. Most farmers practice integrated farming, combining various crops and livestock, which appears to be a more sustainable approach. The amount of organic matter available from forests, agriculture, livestock, and urban waste is sufficient to produce organic manure and fertilisers.

 In recent years, government interventions and private sector engagement have led to increased commercialisation of agriculture in Nepal. The mass adoption of high-yielding crop varieties, however, requires high nutrient inputs and often leads to pest problems, resulting in greater use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. This trend has contributed to a decline in soil organic matter and growing dependency on external agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and feed. The widespread use of exotic crop varieties has also led to the loss of indigenous germplasm.

The harmful effects of chemicals on both the environment and human health have raised significant concerns. As awareness about these issues grows, consumers are increasingly demanding safer and organic products. In response, the government has adopted a two-pronged policy approach, promoting both organic farming and intensive agriculture.

The rise in consumer awareness about food safety, environmental, and health impacts, along with geographical advantage for certain niche products, has made organic farming a vital focus. The demand for organic products continues to grow, both nationally and internationally. Despite the recognition of organic farming in policy documents, it has yet to receive adequate priority in programmes and budgets. 

The government has initiated several programmes aimed at promoting safe food production, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), organic farming, pesticide management, organic fertiliser promotion, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Among these, the IPM programme, introduced during the Ninth Plan, has been a priority at both central and district levels. Nepal became part of the FAO’s Community Integrated Pest Management Program (CIPM), and the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) approach was adopted in 1998, continuing until 2012 under various project names.

The FFS model introduced ecological agro-system analysis to agricultural technicians and farmers, fostering ecological farming practices. This approach was widely embraced by the government, non-governmental organisations, and academic institutions, raising awareness about the hazards of pesticide use and promoting alternative pest management strategies. It emphasised the conservation of natural enemies, the use of biological and botanical pesticides, and the importance of ecological agriculture.

Despite its success in raising awareness and changing pesticide practices, the programme did not succeed in developing viable alternatives to chemical pesticides. Nevertheless, it played a significant role in advancing the understanding and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Promotion of organic farming was included in the 10th FY plan (2059/60-2063/64 BS). During that period, the awareness of consumers on pesticides and other chemicals was increasing. During the period, National Agriculture Policy 2061 was promulgated. This policy has clearly mentioned in the objective itself the conservation, promotion, and utilisation of natural resources, the environment, and biodiversity. This is a very important direction towards organic and ecological agriculture.

Policies have emphasised the reduction of the use of the harmful pesticides to the soil and water, along with the use of hormones and veterinary medicines, and promotion of the production and use of organic fertiliser. Similarly, the Agro-biodiversity Policy 2063 was also promulgated with the objectives of conservation, promotion, and sustainable utilisation of agrobiodiversity for agricultural development and supporting food and nutrition security of the country. This policy has also focused on the conservation and practice of indigenous knowledge, skills, innovations, and technologies for sustainable development.

In 2064 BS, Jumla District declared an organic district and banned all chemicals importing from outside. This was the pioneering action at that time. Although the implementation was not easy, it gave a message that in the area like Jumla organic practice can be a good option. In FY 2071/72, the government announced the 25 per cent addition of the budget to the local body promoting organic farming. This policy had acquired appreciation from the general public; however, the implementation was very poor. 

Several organic fertiliser factories were established with the capital subsidies, and many of them are efficiently running till now. Price subsidies were given to the use of organic and biofertiliser. The subsidies in organic fertiliser are still continuing in many of the provincial organisations, and many farmers' specially growing apples and vegetables are benefitted. After the implementing framework is prepared, many organic fertiliser factories and biopesticide production laboratories are established, and the organic fertiliser production has increased. 

Karnali Province announced its intention to become an organic agriculture hub in 2075, setting a strong example for other regions of Nepal. This decision has had a ripple effect across the country, encouraging similar initiatives. To support this vision, Karnali Province has implemented various programs and activities to promote organic farming. In 2076, the province enacted the Organic Agriculture Act to regulate and encourage organic agriculture.

The federal government, in its Policy and Programme documents for 2075/76 and beyond, has also prioritised organic production as part of its broader vision for an "Organic Nepal." These documents emphasise the conservation of indigenous germplasm and the promotion of biological-based technologies for farmers. Both the 15th and 16th Five-Year Plans have given significant attention to organic farming, recognising its importance for sustainable agriculture in the country.

The Department of Agriculture initiated the Organic Production Mission Programme in 2075/76 in Bagmati and Gandaki Province. An ambitious programme was initiated focusing on fresh vegetables in Peri-urban areas and indigenous crop production and promotion, but due to financial transaction problems from the federal to provincial governments, the programme was lately implemented. This programme has increased the awareness of the product and also promoted the production of the indigenous commodities and their consumption, as well as marketing in domestic as well as international markets.

The government has promulgated the Food Right and Food Sovereignty Act, 2075, which focuses on the right to safe food. The government has banned additional harmful pesticides; the Rapid Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratories have been established in major vegetable wholesale markets and Food Inspection Offices at the Indian border. Indian vegetables must undergo residue testing during their import, and vegetables and fruits in the domestic markets are also regularly monitored. This has created great awareness in the producer community and also among general consumers.

In view of all these policies and concerns raised from the community, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) had formed a High-Level Taskforce on Promotion of Organic Agriculture in 2076 BS. The task force has done desktop studies and conducted a series of discussions and workshops involving national and international experts and campaigners. 

The task force submitted the report to the ministry with its strong recommendation and pathways to move towards organic Nepal in 10 years. The report has emphasised the policy restructuring, programme restructuring, and organisational restructuring in all three tiers of the government. It has also recommended focusing the research on organic agriculture technology generation and validation, including their extension to the farming community, increasing access to the inputs to organic farming and output marketing, capacity development of the governmental and nongovernmental sectors, and preparing capacitated farmers and aware consumers.

The report has emphasised the declaration of the organic zones in the potential areas, certification, and promotion in the market, among others. For these to be achieved, the report has recommended several policy and programme points to be implemented in the short run and in the long run. Beyond the recommendations, the discussions and workshops conducted nationwide have created a high level of awareness on the importance of organic and ecological agriculture at the ground level. Many local levels are now committed to move towards organic agriculture.

Even though many policies and programmes are implemented and there is high importance of organic farming and ecological agriculture in the Nepali context, it is not getting the momentum as expected. Till date, no dedicated organisation has been established at the federal and provincial levels to design and execute the programmes. The awareness level is still insufficient. The alternative technologies of chemical fertilisers and pesticides are insufficient and not in the access of the general farming community. The policy structure, organisation structure, and programme structure are not enough to promote organic agriculture. The frontline technicians in organic and ecological agriculture are not trained adequately. 

In general, the federal government is more of a policy-making body; the policies prepared by the federal government are normally adopted by the provincial and local governments. Thus, in the case of organic agriculture promotion too, MoALD is responsible for policy and standards preparation, and local level and provincial ministries and their allied organisations are responsible for the designing and implementation of the programmes. Co-ordination among three tiers of government in agriculture is utmost important to get the efficiency of implementation and results at the field level. Moreover, the coordinated efforts from all non-governmental sectors in planning and implementation are also vital for the overall development of the sector.

(The author is a Joint Secretary and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.)