Summary of baseline household survey results: Rupandehi, Nepal

This report, prepared by Nepal's Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED), provides a summary of the main results of a household baseline survey carried out in early 2011in 7 villages, with 137 households, in the Rupandehi CCAFS site in Nepal. The survey was carried out using the standardized CCAFS household baseline tool. The results show that most households in Rupandehi produce a multitude of crops. The rice-wheat cropping pattern predominates in this area and many farmers integrate livestock such as cows and buffaloes with crops. Agricultural work on their own farms is shared by multiple members of the households, while men are more responsible for off-farm work. There are varied sources of income within the site, although almost one fifth of households do not have an off-farm source of cash. Many of the surveyed households in Rupandehi reported adopting new crops or varieties in the last 10 years and making cropping and soil related changes. Varietal changes could be observed mainly in rice and wheat, two very important crops for almost all farmers in this area. Changes in regards to livestock keeping practices, however, were not widespread. In terms of food security, many households in Rupandehi are food secure throughout the entire year. On-farm production provides the majority of the diet. Some households need to procure food from off-farm sources, particularly during the months of July, August and September. The area possesses highly productive soils for rice and wheat and it is considered a production bowl for Nepal, supplying large amounts of rice and wheat to the neighbouring districts. Land holdings in the site are small; almost 50% of the surveyed households were marginal farmers (<1 ha) followed by smallholders (1-2 ha) and medium holder farmers (2-5 ha). The area is characterized by having irrigation facilities in a substantial number of farm households (93%). Use of agricultural inputs was universal, with many households using more than one type of fertilizer on their crops. Households also place great value on their livestock and purchase veterinary medicines when necessary. The survey shows that radio, TV, bicycle and cell phones are very common assets in this area. A majority of households receive electricity from a grid. Based on the index we constructed, more than three quarters of the surveyed households fall in the high level of asset ownership.