Promoting sustainable agriculture in Devdaha Municipality, Nepal: leveraging agroforestry to address challenges and enhance food security

Ensuring food security through sustainable agriculture is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aimed to examine farming practices, assess the marketability of agricultural products, and propose interventions to promote sustainable agriculture in Devdaha Municipality, Nepal, with a focus on overcoming gender disparities. Utilizing purposive sampling, interviews, focus group discussions, expert consultations, and direct observations followed by mixed methods analysis, farming practices were examined, the marketability of agricultural products were assessed, and interventions for improvement were proposed. Analysis revealed a diverse range of farm products, identified key challenges limiting profitability (e.g., seasonal variations, market access), and highlighted the need for targeted interventions. Diversifying production towards high-profit crops like mango, banana, papaya, ginger, and turmeric integrated into agroforestry systems was identified as a potential strategy to increase farmer incomes and livelihoods. Findings revealed that cheaper imports contributed to a decline in local production, making efficient marketing systems and gender-sensitive interventions crucial to reverse this trend and empower women's participation in commercial agriculture. The study recommends establishing well-managed local farmers' markets, implementing agricultural subsidies, and launching campaigns to promote indigenous crops to reduce import dependency and boost incomes. Additionally, promoting suitable agroforestry combinations like mango-Moringa-vegetables intercropping can enhance sustainability. By informing on localized strategies aligned with SDG 2, this study offers policymakers potential pathways to strengthen sustainable agriculture, food security, and gender equity in Nepal's rural municipalities

Preliminary exploration of herbal tea products based on traditional knowledge and hypotheses concerning herbal tea selection: a case study in Southwest Guizhou, China

Background Herbal tea usually refers to “beverage plants that do not belong to the genus Camellia”, and it holds a significant historical legacy as a traditional beverage among specific regions and ethnic groups. In light of this, our research aims to investigate and analyze the traditional knowledge pertaining to herbal tea plants used by local peo- ple in the Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. We also initiated preliminary efforts to create tea products from herbal tea leaves using various processing techniques. Additionally, we attempted to test hypotheses to elucidate how local people select herbal tea plants. Methods Data related to the use of herbal tea plants in this study were collected through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations in four villages in Qianxinan. Quantitative indicators, including the relative frequency of citation (RFC) and the relative importance (RI) value, were calculated, and the availability of plants was also evalu- ated. General linear model was performed to examine the relationship between the frequency of citation and resource availability, as well as the correlation between the relative frequency of citation and the relative impor- tance, to test both the resource availability hypothesis and the versatility hypothesis. Centella asiatica tea was pro- cessed using techniques from green tea, black tea and white tea, with a preliminary sensory evaluation conducted. Results A total of 114 plant species were documented as being used for herbal teas by local residents, represent- ing 60 families and 104 genera. Of these, 61% of herbal tea plants were found growing in the wild, and 11 species were exotic plants. The family with the highest number of species was Asteraceae (20 species). The study identified 33 major medicinal functions of herbal tea, with clearing heat-toxin and diuresis being the most common func- tions. General linear model revealed a strong correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.72, p < 0.001) between the fre- quency of citation and plant availability, as well as a significant correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.63, p < 0.001) between RFC and RI. Under different processing conditions, the characteristics of Centella asiatica tea exhibited varia- tions and were found to be suitable for consumption

Building effective water governance in Asian highlands : living with risks and building resilience in water governance

The report examines water governance in the Asian Highlands towards awareness of, and preparedness for effective water resource management, and to encourage local adaptive capacities. It identifies highlights, unexpected discoveries and main challenges towards meeting the project goals. Ecological tipping points, community vulnerabilities, and transboundary water governance are complex influences that drive the direction of change in ecological/socio-economic systems and require interdisciplinary approaches. Climate change in the Asian Highlands poses known and predicted biophysical impacts affecting water resources. How the “Water Tower of Asia” is governed impacts the lives of almost 3 billion people living downstream

Traditional knowledge and its transmission of wild edibles used by the Naxi in Baidi Village, northwest Yunnan province

Abstract Background The collection and consumption of wild edibles is an important part in livelihood strategies throughout the world. There is an urgent need to document and safeguard the wild food knowledge, especially in remote areas. The aims of this study are to accomplish detailed investigation of wild edibles used by the Naxi in Baidi village and evaluate them to identify innovative organic food products. Also, we aim to explore the characteristics of distribution and transmission of the traditional knowledge (TK) on wild edibles among the Naxi. Methods Data was collected through a semi-structured interview of key informants above the age of 20 years, chosen carefully by a snowball sampling. The interviews were supplemented by free lists and participatory observation methods. Informants below 20 years were interviewed to test their knowledge of traditional practices. A quantitative index like Cultural Importance Index (CI) was used to evaluate the relative importance of the different wild edibles. Linear regression and t-test were performed to test variation in the TK among the informants of different age groups and genders. Results Altogether 173 wild edible plant species belonging to 76 families and 139 genera were recorded in the study. Cardamine macrophylla, C. tangutorum and Eutrema yunnanense, have traditionally been consumed as an important supplement to the diet, particularly during food shortages as wild vegetables. The age was found to have a significant effect on TK, but there was no significant difference between male and female informant in knowledge abundance. The traditional food knowledge was dynamic and affected by social factors. Also, it was descending partly among younger generations in Baidi. Conclusion Baidi village is a prime example of a rapidly changing community where local traditions compete with modern ways of life. Overall, this study provides a deeper understanding of the Naxi peoples’ knowledge on wild edibles. Some wild edibles might have an interesting dietary constituent, which need in-depth studies. Such detail studies can help to promote the market in one hand and protect TK in the other. Protecting TK from disappearing in succeeding generations is necessary, and understanding the dynamics of TK is one important solution to this dilemma. </jats:sec