Merit Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Science

048-057

Authors: Anushiya Shrestha and Rajesh Sada

This paper provides an overview of changing climatic context in Kathmandu valley based on the analysis of temperature and rainfall data and perception of local people on key climatic variables. Perceived changes in climate, its impacts on peri-urban agriculture and adaptation strategies practiced by peri-urban farmers were assessed using participatory tools and household questionnaire survey at four peri-urban villages in Kathmandu valley. Temperature in Kathmandu showed an increasing trend while rainfall was erratic with no distinct pattern. The impacts of these changes on agriculture have been primarily negative with increase in crop pests and diseases and decline in the crop production. The adaptive strategies evolved include shifts in cropping dates, switch towards drought tolerant crop varieties and application of technological inputs to adapt against the increasing climatic stresses. The study found needs of communicating the knowledge and experiences, replicating the successful adaptive practices and intervening to control malpractices to strengthen the adaptive capacity and ensure resilient peri-urban agriculture. Keywords: Peri-urban agriculture, rainfall, temperature, impacts, adaptation.