Author: Hari Dahal
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss no. HS-96-01
Year: 1996
Academic Program: Human Settlement (HS)
Type: Thesis (Ph.D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 1996
Examination Committee: Jayant Kumar Routray (Chairperson); Karl E. Weber, Chandra PÃ Gupta (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The low crop productivity of Nepalese Agriculture over two decades, U1ought to be among oiliers, a function of low soil fertility due to intensive farming, poor nutrient recycling and inadequate supply of manure and fertilizer in Ole farming system. This study, Ulerefore focused to understand the local plant nutrient resource use practices under the existing socio-economic and natural environmental conditions in the eastern Tarai belt of Nepal. A farm survey was carried out to assess farmers’ socio-economic profile and nutrient use practices particularly Ulat of mineral fertilizers and farm manures use. Soil sample analysis was also done to estimate the soil fertility levels in Ole study area. The soil test values obtained are calibrated to recommend the nutrient doses for an optimum crop yield. Nutrient use efficiency and the economic returns from mineral fertilizer use are assessed through production function analyses as derived in rice, wheat, and maize crops. Although the quantity of available phosphorus and potassium are found high, organic matter and total nitrogen are low indicating low soil fertility status of the soils. The major sources of nutrients in the farming system is mineral fertilizer followed by farm yard manure (PYM) but Ole amount available in the system are far inadequate to sustain an optimum crop yield. The gap between recommended dose and Ole actual use of mineral fertilizer is surprisingly large. The finding indicates an inverse relationships between farm size and nutrient use efficiency in terms of boili technical and allocative efficiencies. The economic returns of fertilizer use is significantly high particularly in rice followed by wheat under Ole current fertilizer subsidy situation. Farmer’s perception about FYM use in relation to environmental quality found positive whereas negative for mineral fertilizer. Despite their negative perception, fertilizer is regarded as an essential component of Ole production inputs in the farming system. An effort is also made to
Scholarship Donor(s): The Federal Chancetlery of Austria
Note: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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