An Evaluation of Agroforestry as a Viable Base for RuralDevelopment in Paanchkhaal VDC, Kabhre, Nepal

Abstract

Agriculture and forestry are closely related with the livelihood of rural households ofNepal. It has been estimated that for sustaining 1 ha of agricultural land, 2.8 to 18 ha of forestlandis required. Nepal is one of the few countries in the world where people to a large extent aredependent on agriculture and forest resources for their subsistence. Therefore, agroforestry isgreatly needed because of its potentiality of generating farm household income, drudgery removalof women in household chores, increase active decision making role of women and leadershipdevelopment in women,and reducing the pressure on community forests, thereby assisting ruraldevelopment in Nepal. This study on An Evaluation of Agroforestry as a Viable Base for RuralDevelopment in Paanchkhaal VDC of Kabhre, Nepal focuses on the objectives: (i) todocument therole of agroforestrysystems in community forestry managementof the study area,(ii) to identify the agroforestry system's major components that contribute to farm householdincome, (iii) to assess the impacts of agroforestry ondrudgery removal of women in householdchores, and (iv) to identify the role of agroforestry in active decision making of women, (v) tofind the role of agroforestry in leadership development of women. Whatever the definitions, agroforestry connotes using trees on farms. Rural developmentis a strategy to improve the economic and social life of specific group of people, the rural poor.The group includes small-scale farmer, tenants, and the landless. There are no legal aspects dealtwith specifically in the context of agroforestry. Therefore, they are often directed from generalforestry sector policy, act and regulation. The research is conducted in three wards (3, 4, and 7) of the Paanchkhaal VDC ofKabhre, a central mid-hills district of Nepal. A total of 49 households are surveyedsystematically. Household questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, direct observation andinformal interviews are carried out for obtaining the data and related information. The secondarydata and information are gathered from DDC, VDC, ISRSC and other organizations. Descriptivestatistical tools like frequencies, percentages, means and standard derivations are used to present iv 11April2013 the general findings of the study. Mostly tables, but graphical figures too, are used for describingthe information. The average household size is found slightly higher compared to the district and nationalaverage household sizes. The highest percentage of male and female population is found in 15-60years age group. In all the tree categories (upper/lower/other) of caste, the average percent ofdistribution of households in the wards seems to be higher compared to the national average. Theaverage total percent of literacy is slightly lower, compared to the national average percent. Theaverage number of cattle and buffalos (together) per household is slightly greater compared to thenational average. The major source of income is of regular type, followed by business and labor.Agricultural crops, followed by milk, contributed the highest percentage of household income. Asubstantial household income is allocated directly or indirectly for NRM and CFM. A tremendousdistance to be covered by the household to reach community forests seems to be reduced by theintroduction of agroforestry development and community forestry management. The majority ofthe households reported that agroforestryreduced the passive decision making role of women toactive decision making.Likewise, there is agroforestry directly proportional to the leadershipdevelopment of the women in the study area.