Gautam Shrestha1, AnupBom2, Sulochana Shakya3
1Scientist, NARC, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Khajura
2BSc Ag. HICAST
3Associate Professor, HICAST, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kalanki, Kathmandu
Abstract
Commercial organic and conventional vegetable farming is expanding around peri-urban areas in Kathmandu valley to fulfill the demand of skyrocketing urban population. However,without provision of knowledge and inputs, not all the farmers are able to be in the business for sustainable production in long time. Documentation of production practices followed by commercial farmers can contribute to the sustainable expansion of commercial peri-urban horticulture. The questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on vegetable cultivation practices among sixty commercial organic and conventional commercial practices among sixty commercial organic and conventional commercial vegetable farmers in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts to know the status of commercial organic and conventional farming.Six vegetable crops namely tomato, cauliflower, cabbage,cucumber,bitter-gourd and chili were selected for this study. The results revealed that 50% farmers were following nursery bed preparation method for seedling growing whereas 10% were following poly bag method and 7% cell tray methods. Sole plastic tunnel cultivation was practiced by 16.7% conventional farmers in comparison with 3.3% organic farmers. Conventional farmers had significant high density vegetable crops planting compared to Organic farmers. Number of irrigations applied in tomato cultivation was significant higher in conventional farms (85 times) than organic farms (47 times). Application amount of bone meal for cabbage cultivation in organic farms (800 kg/ ha) was significant higher than conventional farms (40 kg/ ha). Cabbage yield was significant higher in conventional farms (37t/ha) than organic farms (25 t/ ha). Productivity of other five vegetables in concern was not significant different between organic and conventional farms. Sixty percentage conventional farmers were willing to convert to organic farmer acknowledging health and environmental hazards of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Hence, feasibility of inputs for standard organic production and satisfactory yields will stimulate spreading of organic farms around the peri-urban areas in Kathmandu valley.
Keywords: farming systems, off season vegetable production, peri-urban agriculture, plastic
tunnel horticulture