Monday, May 20, 2013



Sometimes its difficult to categorize cause and effect like basic childhood question, chicken first or egg first? Here, my question is simple, research station first or pocket area (agriculture) first? But, I am sure it's not so complicated as it was for first question; at least for Nepal. I have heard many countries have established pocket area then research station in those areas where production was zero earlier. But most of the research station in Nepal is established based on the production trend of the area.
By testing this basic hypothesis, I was judging the production area and productivity of some major cereals (Maize, Wheat and Rice). Recently Ministry of Agricultural Development has published the preliminary forecast of production of all crops and livestock for year 2069/70 ( 2012/13). The result shows production of total cereals is lower by 7 lakh 19 thousand metric tonne this year compared to year 2011/12. Late monsoon in summer season is main reason to  lower the production of summer cereals like Rice and Maize. Winter crop was expected to componsate it, but could not in reality.
The major production hub is obviously Terai region.  But this year Terai region itself faced a decreased production in cereals. The production of wheat is found to have decreased in terai whereas increased in hill and mountain. On an average 2 percent of total wheat is increased compared to earlier year. The wheat production is higher in western terai compared to central and eastern Terai. That’s why my earlier question, Does the wheat research station in Bhairahawa plays any role?  is relevant here. The rice research station is in Hardinath and at same time rice production is higher in eastern and central part. Similarly Maize research station is in Rampur and maize production is found higher in that periphery. 
Should we praise those research station for doing better there  ? yes, if it was due to their role. But, if those research station are established based on pocket area, definitely no.


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Badri Khanal is An Agriculture Economist from Nepal
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