Papers by Mukunda Bhusal
Nepalese Horticulture, Dec 28, 2023
Agronomy Journal of Nepal, Jul 10, 2023
Agronomy society of Nepal, 2024
The study focuses on the slow growth of rice production in Nepal and the country's heavy reliance... more The study focuses on the slow growth of rice production in Nepal and the country's heavy reliance on rice imports to meet its food demand. The government has been spending a significant portion of its budget on imports, and it aims to reduce this dependence by increasing domestic production and achieving food security goals. To understand the dynamics of this issue, system dynamics modelling steps were employed. The key variables considered in the model testing were domestic production, imports, per capita consumption, productivity per hectare, and average area expansion rate. The study utilized time series data from 1991 to 2020 and projected the analysis up to 2050 using Stella Architect, a computer-based software program. The findings reveal that both the population and imports have exhibited exponential growth over the years. The model also indicates goal-seeking behaviour, with the government setting targets for yield increment based on available harvest areas. However, the policies implemented thus far have mostly been quick-fix approaches focusing input subsidized programs. According to the model, an increase of 70-100% in rice production will be required by 2050 to meet the growing population's demand. The study presents three policy options for achieving rice self-sufficiency: 1) a 2% annual increase in average area expansion, 2) raising productivity from 3700 kg ha-1 to 5000 kg ha-1 and 3) increasing productivity to 3900 kg ha-1 while reducing per capita rice consumption from 200 kg to 130 kg. The study suggests that adopting the recommended policy implications can help increase rice production in Nepal. Decision-makers should adopt a dynamic approach to the rice production system to address the issue of slow growth and achieve national self-sufficiency and food security goals.
Nepalese Horticulture, 2023
Sweet orange is one of the major citrus fruits of Nepal which is widely cultivated in mid-hills. ... more Sweet orange is one of the major citrus fruits of Nepal which is widely cultivated in mid-hills. This paper assesses the value chain of sweet oranges cultivated in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, considering its economic significance for farmers. The study adopts a qualitative research approach, utilizing key informant interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders. Participants were selected based on a list of producers collected from the Prime-Minister Agricultural Modernization Project (PMAMP) Ramechhap district, and the snowball method was employed to identify other actors. This study revealed that the value chain of sweet oranges in the Ramechhap district involves growers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers as the main actors, while federal, provincial, and local agricultural service centres serve as enablers. Additionally, findings show vendors play a dominant role, in determining the per unit price and pressuring farmers to sell immediately after harvest due to limited storage capacity. Vendors are enjoying increased profit margins because they have greater bargaining power over farmers, who have inadequate storage facilities. The study suggests areas for improvement: using quality seedlings, managing nutrients effectively, and employing proper storage techniques like cold stores to prolong shelf-life and enhance quality, taste, and colour. Enhancing productivity via trifoliate rootstock, optimizing fruit quality, and extending shelf-life through improved storage facilities can substantially boost revenue for producers. Understanding the entire value chain provides insights into enhancing the overall performance of value chain actors. Further studies can explore additional dimensions of the chain in more depth.
Tribhuvan university central library, 2012
In Nepal most of the micro-enterprises established so far are agro-based, forest-based and livest... more In Nepal most of the micro-enterprises established so far are agro-based, forest-based and livestock-based. The practice of such enterprises has successful entrepreneurship. The major objective of this study was to access the micro-enterprise to cope with food insecurity in Humla district of Nepal. Food insecurity was major problem of Humla. Food sufficiency from own production in the district ranged from 3-9 months. This study helps to point out the relationship between food insecurity condition and role of the microenterprise. Forty households from each Village Development Committee (VDC), Khagalgaun and Simikot were interviewed. This study concluded that loan borrowed for micro-enterprise, food sufficiency of households, experience year in enterprise, female members in family and cropping area of household are considered the significant factors for income generation from micro-enterprise. Best possible micro-enterprise in the study area was non timber forest products related enterprise followed by fruits/vegetable/honey and handicrafts. The major problems of micro-enterprise were technological and marketing. To cope with food insecurity people of Humla were engaged in honey production followed by Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) production and collection, dropping children from school and some were engaged in fruits and vegetable production and few migrated from their settlements. Most products were sold in local market at low price demanding commercialization and diversification of products.
Conference Presentations by Mukunda Bhusal
NAGRC, LI-BIRD and Bioversity International, 2018
The Government of Nepal started implementing Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in the fiscal year 2008... more The Government of Nepal started implementing Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in the fiscal year 2008/09. The program covered nine Districts with one CSB in each. Most of the CSBs produced improve seed of major crops; they also conserved local landraces. Two CSBs became nonfunctional, in Sindhupalchowk due to the mega earthquake and in Jumla, due to inefficient leadership. Some of the challenges faced by the CSBs are proper legal provision for registration, misuse of seed money, inefficient leadership and lack of long-term strategic plan. Each CSB requires a sound sustainability plan to address these challenges. A CSB can achieve sustainability through promoting linkages between the national genebank, regional and international genebanks and community seed banks for
the exchange of seeds and related information about biodiversity conservation. Other factors that contribute to sustainability include strong social networks, an effective institutional mechanism, dedicated leadership, social inclusion and a strategic long-term work plan.
Uploads
Papers by Mukunda Bhusal
Conference Presentations by Mukunda Bhusal
the exchange of seeds and related information about biodiversity conservation. Other factors that contribute to sustainability include strong social networks, an effective institutional mechanism, dedicated leadership, social inclusion and a strategic long-term work plan.
the exchange of seeds and related information about biodiversity conservation. Other factors that contribute to sustainability include strong social networks, an effective institutional mechanism, dedicated leadership, social inclusion and a strategic long-term work plan.