ABSTRACT

Change in crop choice is a common adaptation strategy for global change. However, its drivers are not well understood. We investigate the multilevel determinants of smallholders’ crop choice in irrigated agriculture of Central Nepal. We build upon previous studies and consider four levels of determinants: households, irrigation systems, local and regional market systems, and climatic conditions. Using primary survey data of 316 farmers from 9 farmer-managed irrigation systems in the Trishuli-Narayani sub-basin of Central Nepal, among other results, we document that smallholder farmers are likely to choose rice during the monsoon season if they are experienced and farm in the irrigation systems fed by large rivers. Water stress affects the crop choice mainly in two ways. In irrigation systems fed by large rivers, farmers located towards the tail-end of the canal are less likely to plant rice due to water stress. Farmers living in the irrigation systems that are fed by small and medium-size rivers are more likely to choose less water-demanding crops. Market integration is also a key determinant of crop choice. We discuss the implications of our findings for climate-resilient adaptation strategies in Central Nepal.

摘要

作物选择的变化是全球变化的常见适应策略。然而，它的驱动因素还不是很清楚。我们调查了尼泊尔中部灌溉农业中小农作物选择的多层次决定因素。我们以先前的研究为基础，考虑四个层面的决定因素：家庭、灌溉系统、地方和区域市场系统以及气候条件。使用来自尼泊尔中部 Trishuli-Narayani 子流域 9 个农民管理的灌溉系统的 316 名农民的初步调查数据，除其他结果外，我们记录了小农如果有经验并在雨季种植水稻，他们很可能在季风季节选择水稻。在大河灌溉的灌溉系统中。水分胁迫主要通过两种方式影响作物选择。在大河灌溉的灌溉系统中，由于缺水，位于运河尾端的农民不太可能种植水稻。生活在由中小河流灌溉的灌溉系统中的农民更有可能选择需水量较低的作物。市场一体化也是作物选择的关键决定因素。我们讨论了我们的发现对尼泊尔中部气候弹性适应战略的影响。