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What Prompts Agricultural Innovation in Rural Nepal: A Study Using the Example of Macadamia and Walnut Trees as Novel Cash Crops

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  • Andrea Karin Barrueto

    (Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
    HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Jhamshikhel, Dhobi Ghat, Lalitpur, GPO Box 688, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal)

  • Juerg Merz

    (HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Av. Julius Nyerere No. 1213, 1100 Maputo, Mozambique)

  • Thomas Kohler

    (Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Thomas Hammer

    (Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

Agricultural innovations are important, especially as climatic conditions around the world have been subject to increasing change over the past decades. Through innovation, farmers can adapt to the changing conditions and secure their livelihoods. In Nepal, 75% of the population depends upon agriculture, which is impacted by climate change, migration, and feminisation. In this context, it is important to understand what drives a household to start agricultural innovation to increase its economic benefits and resilience in the face of multiple pressures. We sought a comprehensive understanding of these drivers by investigating the determinants of rural innovation, using macadamia and walnut trees as examples of novel, potentially commercialised cash crops. After conducting an in-depth household survey that divided farmers into those who cultivate nuts and those who do not, we analysed the socio-economic and cultural characteristics of each category using statistical tests and a multiple logistic regression. Our results show that the individual variables of ethnicity, wealth and “years of experience with fruit trees” correlate significantly with nut cultivation. The results of the multiple regression suggest that “years of experience with tree cultivation” and “having an income through fruit trees” most influence nut cultivation. Overall, we conclude that nut cultivation is an accepted and promising cash crop mostly grown by wealthier households, and that, for poor, landless, or female-headed households to benefit, alternative business models and new policies must be explored and developed. We further suggest that this is also true for other nut or other cash crop trees that have gained recent attention in Nepal such as almond, hazelnut, or pecan farming.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Karin Barrueto & Juerg Merz & Thomas Kohler & Thomas Hammer, 2018. "What Prompts Agricultural Innovation in Rural Nepal: A Study Using the Example of Macadamia and Walnut Trees as Novel Cash Crops," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:8:y:2018:i:2:p:21-:d:129887
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Andrea Karin Barrueto & Juerg Merz & Nicole Clot & Thomas Hammer, 2017. "Climate Changes and Their Impact on Agricultural Market Systems: Examples from Nepal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Bhattarai, Basundhara & Beilin, Ruth & Ford, Rebecca, 2015. "Gender, Agrobiodiversity, and Climate Change: A Study of Adaptation Practices in the Nepal Himalayas," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 122-132.
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    Cited by:

    1. Prashamsa Thapa & Brijesh Mainali & Shobhakar Dhakal, 2023. "Focus on Climate Action: What Level of Synergy and Trade-Off Is There between SDG 13; Climate Action and Other SDGs in Nepal?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-32, January.
    2. So Young Lee & José M. Díaz-Puente & Pablo Vidueira, 2020. "Enhancing Rural Innovation and Sustainability Through Impact Assessment: A Review of Methods and Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Bijay Regmi & Samir Kunwar & Tri Dev Acharya & Purushottam Gyawali, 2023. "Potential of Underutilized Grain Crops in the Western Mountains of Nepal for Food and Nutrient Security," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Shigaeva, Jyldyz & Darr, Dietrich, 2020. "On the socio-economic importance of natural and planted walnut (Juglans regia L.) forests in the Silk Road countries: A systematic review," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    5. Elsie Lewison, 2022. "‘Plant, Sleep, Pick’: Ambivalent Smallholder Market Engagement and Inclusive Value Chains in Northwest Nepal," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(4), pages 860-887, July.

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