Sustainable Agricultural Intensification for Livelihood and Food Security in Nepal

With increased market access and road links to urban centres, settled agriculture in Nepal is becoming transformed into intensified cropping, especially in peri- and semi-urban areas. On a global scale, major driving factors for intensification are: population growth, lack of alternate employment, profit motive, market access, road links, availability of agricultural inputs and organizational cooperation. However, in Nepal the main driving factor is necessity due to lack of other income opportunities. The outcomes of agricultural intensification, namely, improved economic condition of farmers with higher production and good market price are intended to address the developmental challenges of high population growth, food deficit, agricultural trade modalities, fragile ecology, and national policies. In spite of soil fertility loss, erosion, workload and pollution, agricultural intensification is found to be a viable option for better livelihood in developing countries. This review paper discusses the global driving factors of intensification in the local context highlighting their positive and negative impacts.