Innovative measures for mitigating negative effects of climate change on hill agriculture in Nepal

Agriculture plays an important role in food and nutritional security of Nepal. Climate change is negatively affecting agriculture especially in hill agriculture of the country. Reviews showed that increase in temperature in Nepal is higher (1.7°C in 30 years, i.e. 0.06°C/year) than the global average. In Nepal, both positive and negative impacts of climate change have been observed on agriculture. Frequency of negative impacts especially hydrological drought has been increased in Hill region. Thus, to mitigate negative impacts of climate change and its threats; eco-friendly agricultural adaptation measures like adaptation of stress tolerant genotypes, integrated crop and livestock farming, agro forestry, soil and nutrition conservational practices, atmospheric nitrogen fixing practice, proper management of biomass and livestock waste, improving livestock and fisheries breeding and sloppy land improvement etc. should be enhanced. Similarly, climate change adaptation plans, National Agriculture Program of Action (NAPA), Local Agriculture Program of Action (LAPA) and other effective policies should be in place for the improvement of food security in the country.