Why is agricultural productivity low in Nepal?

Agricultural productivity in Nepal remains low due to a combination of technological, environmental, and infrastructural challenges. Key factors contributing to these low yields include:

• Resource Shortages: Farmers face significant shortages of essential inputs, such as fertilizers and improved seeds, which are necessary to enhance crop output.1
• Inefficient Techniques: The reliance on inefficient farming methods limits overall productivity.1
• Lack of Irrigation: Only a tiny percentage of Nepal’s cultivated land is irrigated, making agricultural output highly susceptible to the vagaries of the weather.1
• Geographic and Environmental Constraints: In the mid-mountain region, high population density has led to the cultivation of nearly all available land. Attempts to expand farmland by clearing forests often result in soil erosion and landslides, which further reduce yields.1
• Inadequate Infrastructure: A lack of sufficient transportation infrastructure prevents the efficient movement of surplus food grains from productive areas, such as the Tarai, to food-deficit regions in the mountains.1

These challenges are compounded by the risks associated with subsistence farming, where farmers may be hesitant to adopt new methods that could expose them to the threat of crop failure and starvation.2