Bhandari B S, Grant M
Department of Geography, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4.
J Environ Manage. 2007 Oct;85(1):17-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.07.010. Epub 2006 Oct 6.
This paper examines household livelihoods in highland and lowland communities of the Kali-Khola agricultural watershed in western Nepal on the basis of economic, ecological and social security indicators. Significant differences were found in soil fertility status, pests and diseases management, risk and uncertainties, use of agrochemicals and access to social services. No remarkable variations were found in crop diversification, annual agricultural income and food sufficiency. However, uncertainty and risk in agricultural production is relatively low in highland communities. The findings reveal that agriculture production alone is not a viable livelihood option for agricultural watershed communities in Nepal. The households growing crops with hired labour have relatively sustainable livelihoods in Nepal's agricultural watersheds. Insufficient agricultural land, insufficient working manpower within a family, and lack of access to ecological agricultural services are prime factors in being livelihood insecure in agricultural watershed communities. Therefore, long-term policies and plans need to be developed for the empowerment of local farmers and to support rural livelihoods with adaptable and flexible income-generating strategies, resilient resource management institutions and enhancement of knowledge, skills and social capital.
本文基于经济、生态和社会保障指标，对尼泊尔西部卡利 - 霍拉农业流域的高地和低地社区的家庭生计进行了研究。研究发现，在土壤肥力状况、病虫害管理、风险与不确定性、农用化学品的使用以及社会服务的获取方面存在显著差异。在作物多样化、年度农业收入和粮食自给方面未发现明显差异。然而，高地社区农业生产中的不确定性和风险相对较低。研究结果表明，仅靠农业生产并非尼泊尔农业流域社区可行的生计选择。在尼泊尔的农业流域，雇佣劳动力种植作物的家庭生计相对可持续。农业用地不足、家庭内部劳动力不足以及无法获得生态农业服务是农业流域社区生计不安全的主要因素。因此，需要制定长期政策和计划，以增强当地农民的权能，并通过适应性强且灵活的创收策略、有韧性的资源管理机构以及知识、技能和社会资本的提升来支持农村生计。
