Nepalese Agrarian System

Nepal is an agricultural country having 74 percent people directly engaged in farming. Farming is subsistent in nature and crop is mostly integrated with livestock. Since the formulation of the Fifth
Five-Year Plan (1975–80), agriculture has been the highest priority because economic growth was dependent on both increasing the productivity of existing crops and diversifying the agricultural base for use as industrial inputs.
Nepal is richly endowed with agro-biodiversity. Rice, maize, millet, wheat, barley and buckwheat are the major staple food crops. Similarly, oilseeds, potato, tobacco, sugarcane, jute and cotton are the important cash crops whereas lentil, gram, pigeon pea, blackgram, horsegram and soyben are the important pulse crops. Nepal is also famous for orthodox tea, large cardamom, turmeric and zinger too. Most Nepalese farmers grow diversified crops in order to hedge against erratic and uncertain weather and other unfavourable agronomic conditions.
Livestock is one of the important sources of cash income of the farm households. Livestock products which are sold for cash. The cash needs of the farm families are mainly met through the sale of milk, yoghurt, cheese, ghee, Chhurpi, meat, egg and live animals and poultry. Generally, farm families in mountains raise Yak or Chauri (Himalayan breed of cow) and sheep, in hills cow, sheep, goat and rural poultry and in Terai buffalo, cow, goat and poultry. Poultry husbandry is emerging enterprise in Terai and hills. Human and animal labours are major sources of farm power.
In addition, Nepal grows a number of fruit and vegetable crops. Some important ones are Apple, peach, pear, plum, walnut, orange, lime, lemon, mango, lichi, banana, pineapple, papaya, cucumber, lady’s finger, brinjal, pumpkin and several leafy vegetables.
Fresh water fish culture is another emerging enterprise in Terai whereas rainbow trout in the hills and in the lower mountains.
On April 25th 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, with a series of strong aftershocks including one of 6.7 magnitude, and triggering avalanches in the mountains. It was the worst earthquake to hit Nepal in 80 years. Estimates indicated more than 8000 people died and many more were injured. On May 12th 2015 , a second, 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, again with strong aftershocks. The United Nations estimated that approximately eight million people had been affected by the earthquakes. Destruction of buildings, roads and other infrastructure will make re-building a long-term challenge. In addition, the seeds, food grains, agricultural tools, implements and machineries were also buried into the debris of the housed which has severely disrupted the food production system and livelihoods in the 40 most affected districts.

About 40% national income comes from agriculture . People's living standards improves by its development. Its development increases the national income. The agriculture sector has provided most employment in Nepal. Agriculture has been the primary means of livelihood for the Nepalese people. Most of the raw materials needed for industrt have come from the agriculture. So development of industries and trades are also dependent on agriculture. This is also the main source of foodstuffs. Not only the human beings but animals and poultries also get their foods from agriculture. 50% of export products come from agriculture . More than 40% of the total national production is generated by agriculture.