Abstract

Author:
Anzoo Sharma, Poonam Bhatt, Prashant Raj Giri

Doi: 10.26480/efcc.02.2024.37.42

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

This study unravels the effects of the change in climate on Nepal’s national and regional trends. It discusses the alarming rise in global temperature, evidenced by data from 1850 to 2020. It underscores the undeniable warming trend and unprecedented changes observed across various climate indicators, including atmospheric and oceanic warming, diminishing snow and ice reserves, rising sea levels, and the resulting surge in natural calamities—the narrative shifts to the national context, highlighting Nepal’s geographical vulnerability due to its diverse topography. The country’s susceptibility to climate change is demonstrated by its high ranking in global climate risk indices. The country’s Second National Communication (SNC) identifies sectors like energy, agriculture, water resources, forestry, and biodiversity as particularly at risk. The implications for the agriculture sector are profound, as changing precipitation and temperature patterns disrupt crop cycles, trigger pest outbreaks, and jeopardize food security. A 1°C temperature increase is estimated to lead to a 4.2-ton reduction in rice production. To combat these challenges, Nepal has established plans and policies to adapt to the changing climate. The 2019 Climate Change Policy places a strong emphasis on social inclusion, gender equality, and sustainable farming methods. Ambitious goals of climate resilience and zero net emissions by 2045 are outlined in the Long Term Strategy (LTS) and the Second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) provides a comprehensive framework for sector-specific adaptation measures, focusing on programs that enhance agricultural productivity, genetic resource conservation, water management, and climate services. The Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA) extends these efforts to grassroots levels, integrating climate adaptation into local planning and development. The paper underscores the “triple-win” approach of climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) – enhancing productivity, building resilience, and sequestering carbon. Various CRA practices, including soil health improvement, crop variety adaptation, water management, agroforestry, and pest control, are discussed in the context of Nepal’s climatic challenges. These strategies paves a path for the agricultural sector to mitigate climate risks and contribute to climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals. The paper focuses the urgent need for adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices to secure food systems and safeguard livelihoods against the escalating impacts of climate variability.