Socio-Economic Impact of Junar on Farmers (A study of 'Junar Pocket Zone' in Sindhuli District)

Abstract

The project work report entitled “Socio-economic Impact ofJunaron Farmers:A study of 'Junar Pocket Zone' in Sindhuli” has been prepared to be submitted to the Central Department of Rural Development, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science,Tribhuvan University in the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the master's degreeof arts in Rural development with the following objectives: i) To analyze the present status ofJunarcultivation in the study area.ii) To show the importance ofJunarcultivation as an indicator to progress the socio- economic condition of farmers.iii) To find out the problems faced byJunarfarmers and suggest the measures. Junar is a cash crop and it is also one of the profitable and favorable occupationsfor the farmers dependent on agriculture. Thus, the study on this topic is significant fromthe view of transformation of traditional agriculture in the context of hilly countries likeNepal. Specifically, this research has been carried out in three VDCs viz Ratanchura,Tinkanya and Bhasheshor of Sindhuli district and it can be the study of the entire 'JunarPocket Zone'. Seventy five households have been taken as sample and twenty fivehouseholds familiar to the Junar farming have been picked up from each VDC byapplying purposive sampling method. These VDCs are regarded as core area forJunarproduction where the domination ofJunarfarming is found. Primary data have been collected using structured as well as unstructuredquestionnaire and FGD. Various information like religion, caste/ethnicity, family size,income sources etc. have been obtained from set up questionnaire and face to faceinterview. Various resource persons, such as member of Sindhuli JunarVikash Sanghhave also been visited to seek the additional information. Secondary data have beenobtained from different published and unpublished literatures. Using the descriptivemethod, the acquired data and information have been analyzed and presented in tabularform. Majority of the households (60%) said that higher production in comparison toother cereal crops has the main reason forJunarcultivation and the government agency(Agriculture Office) encouraged them to cultivateJunar. 52% of the respondents havebeen growingJunarfor 15 years ago. Most of the households (84%) have used their upland (Bari) forJunar farming.Dalit respondents have used 0-10ropanisof their land for it. Maize and millet were themajor corps beforeJunar. 83.34% of households reported that agriculture is the mainincome source of them on whichJunarshares the highest amount. The farmers were found interested to increaseJunarcultivation because of higherproduction and cash crop.Junarproduction has helped to boost up the socio-economicstatus of farmers of the study area. Their income has increased, which helped them tosave surplus money. After Junarcultivation, 82.67% of selected households are able tosave surplus money in different financial institutions for the purpose of future uses. Theaverage income of the farmers byJunaris 24500. They have been selling theirJunarforRs. 5 per kg for the last three years. Their fooding, clothing, housing, health and hygiene,education status etc. have changed after Junar farming. This scenario shows theimprovement of socio-economiccondition of the farmers in relation with their statusprior to adopting it. TheJunarfarmers are facing a lot of problems such as transportation to market,different diseases ofJunaretc. Most of the farmers (54.67%) have got training in regardtoJunarfarming but they have not applied the knowledge in a proper manner. Similarly,64% of the farmers have got loan from the Agriculture Development Bank. Differentagricultural inputs forJunarfarming are not available in time. Nepal, as an agro-based country, agriculture sector is very important factor touplift the socio-economic condition of rural people. Agriculture is the major source oflivelihood for the people and backbone of the country. So, the hilly part of the country issuitable for the highvalue crops like citrus fruit (Junar). Only then, it is possible toexploit the agricultural potentiality of the country. That generates good income to therural farmers and is helpful in positive and sustainable change in the quality of life ofrural people.