Drivers of environmental conservation agriculture and women farmer empowerment in Namobuddha municipality, Nepal

Abstract

In 2045, Nepal aims to be carbon neutral by reducing its net emissions in various sectors, most especially in agriculture. Environmental conservation agriculture (ECA) is proven to mitigate climate change effects; however, more efforts are needed to increase its uptake in Nepal. This study, therefore, identified factors that influence ECA continuation among farmers in Namobuddha municipality–one of Nepal's central hubs for organic farming. Using binary logistic regression, seven ECA drivers were identified, with the rise of sea temperature or extremely hot days (under perceived climate change effects) and incentives or subsidies from the government decreasing the odds of ECA continuation among Namobuddha farmers. Meanwhile, the five positive ECA drivers arranged in decreasing odds ratio are: 1) ECA interest; 2) local market/hat bazar (periodical open-market) (under selling place of ECA products); 3) resource-use decision-making (under women decision-making in ECA); 4) ameliorating pests/diseases (under climate change adaptation); and 5) perception that ECA is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. This study also reaffirms the knowledge gap between farmers' understanding of ECA and its actual climate change mitigation capabilities, which was also observed in previous studies that identified ECA drivers. The strategic dissemination of information about ECA is thus recommended to further increase farmers' interest in ECA, which was identified as the number one factor driving ECA continuation. Communication of ECA's economic, environmental, and social sustainability is also critical, as farmers are still mostly unaware of this matter. In terms of women empowerment, this study suggests engaging women more in resource-use decision-making (i.e., technology, labor, energy usage, etc.), which could also increase women's ECA continuation. Lastly, this research also found that the lack of knowledge, training, and opportunities remains the primary obstacle to women's engagement in ECA, whereas profitability, better livelihood, and resource availability serve as the main motivators.