Agricultural Biodiversity and its Contribution to Food Security: A Case Study in Tharu Community, Chitwan, Nepal

This study aims to study the contribution of household agricultural diversity on food security in ethnic Tharu community of Terai, Nepal. Household (HH) surveys including field observations, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in four Village Development Committees (VDCs) (Khairahani, Meghauli, Gardi and Baghauda) to study agricultural biodiversity and its contribution to food security at HH levels. Out of 160 HHs, 40 HHs from each VDCs were surveyed by random sampling method. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to conduct HH survey. The percentages of HHs involved in the study were 84% (Khairahani), 85% (Meghauli), 81% (Gardi) and 84% (Baghauda). Agriculture was the main occupation and 85% (Khairahani), 75.5 % (Meghauli), 80% (Gardi) and 82% (Baghauda) had kitchen garden in their HHs. The number of diverse crops (crop biodiversity) per year in Tharu communities on-farm were the highest in Khairahani (54) followed by Baghauda (52), Gardi (50) and Meghauli (47). Positive linear correlation was observed between the number of months fulfilled by own production and the agricultural biodiversity observed on farm and in the kitchen garden. The percentages of HHs that could feed for 12 months were 43% (Khairahani), 28% (Meghauli), 35% (Gardi) and 38% (Baghauda). Likewise, the percentage of HHs that could feed for >12 months were 50% (Khairahani), 45% (Meghauli) and 53% each in Gardi and Baghauda. The highest (70%) of the HHs consumed food thrice a day in Khairahani with the highest percentage of satisfaction (90%). The percentage of hunger satisfaction then decreased in the order; Baghauda (86%), Gardi (80%) and Meghauli (73%). More than 80% of the HHs in Khairahani, Gardi and Baghauda and more than 70% of HHs in Meghauli had food sufficiency. Hence, all the Tharu communities in the study areas were food secured. The HHs that were familiar to food security in Khairahani, Meghauli, Gardi and Baghauda were 58%, 33%, 44% and 53% respectively