Baseline survey report for the knowledge-based integrated sustainable agriculture in Nepal II (KISAN II) project

The survey collected quantitative information in KISAN II project?s catchment areas to capture the baseline value of performance indicators. It also included a Resilience Module to track indicators related to market access, household exposure to shocks and stressors, social capital, and coping strategies.

The baseline survey team used a two-stage cluster sampling design with a systematic selection of participants. It collected data from 1,860 households across 21 districts using tablets with a structured questionnaire. The survey took place from September 3-27, 2018.

The surveyed households had an average of 0.55 hectares each (owned or leased), and no households had more than 5 hectares. Average yield (10.7 MT/Ha) and average annual sales ($335) per household was highest for vegetables. Yield for vegetables in ZOI 2 (12.7 MT/Ha) was higher compared to ZOI 1 (9.4 MT/Ha). HHs in ZOI 2 had highest average sales value for vegetables whereas in ZOI 1 highest average sales value was for rice. Less than 5 percent of households that produced rice, maize, lentils, and goats had received support from the government, a project or the private sector in the previous 12 months about achieving increased yields or sales. Support was highest for vegetables (17%) and support received by HHs for vegetables in ZOI 1 (19%) was higher compared to ZOI 2 (15%). Only 12.7 percent of the households accessed formal agriculture finance. Lack of access to irrigation and limited knowledge of ?how to achieve higher yields and sales? were found to be the major constraints in increasing yield and sales. Less than 10 percent of households accessed information on crop MPTs, market prices, and animal health and less than 20 percent of households accessed information on financial services, fertilizer, and seeds. The sampled households applied an average of 11.5 improved management practices and technologies (MPTs) from among 64 potential ones. There was no difference in use of average number of MPT across two ZOIs.

Almost all the households (97?100 percent) owned agricultural land, buildings (barns or storage) and hand tools (hoe, spade/shovel, rake, sickle, pickaxe, axe, pruning shears, etc.). Seventy four percent of households participated in at least one local group, with mothers? groups, savings and credit groups, and cooperatives being the most common ones (26?34 percent). Nearly two-thirds of households (63 percent) had been exposed to at least one shock or stressor (such as landslide, drought, illness, and flood) in the past 12 months. Severe impact on income (72 percent) and food consumption (51 percent) was reported by those exposed. The most commonly reported coping strategies (eight of the top ten) were either neutral or positive. Only 24 percent of households had used a negative coping strategy with the most common being selling livestock. Social capital was lower than expected, based on the relatively small percentage of households receiving or providing support during shocks or stressors. Such support was mostly from relatives living inside and outside of their community.

Conclusively, the survey delivered the baseline values of 20 KISAN II performance indicators including the findings that portray the current resilience capacities of the selected households.