Jagriti

Policies on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nepal: A Review of the Agricultural Sector

Udit Prakash Sigdel — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into agriculture is increasingly recognized as a means to improve productivity, facilitate knowledge dissemination, and enhance rural livelihoods. In Nepal, various policy initiatives have been formulated to promote ICT in the agricultural sector. Despite these initiatives, issues related to coordination, digital literacy, infrastructure, and financing have posed significant implementation challenges.
Areas Covered: This paper critically reviews key ICT policies and strategies in Nepal, particularly in relation to agriculture focusing to their effectiveness, challenges, and future directions for enhancing digital integration. Policies analyzed include the National Communication Policy (1992), Information Technology Policy (2000), Telecommunication Policy (2004), and National ICT Policy (2015), along with agriculture-specific policies such as the Agriculture Development Strategy (2014). It explores how these policies align with digital integration in agriculture and identifies major gaps and overlaps in policy execution.
Expert Opinion: A coherent national ICT-agriculture strategy is critical. Nepal must adopt a unified governance framework, enhance rural connectivity, invest in digital literacy, and promote public-private partnerships. Strengthening these areas would foster inclusive agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development.

Growth and Production Performance of Ring-Necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus L.) in Nuwakot District of Nepal

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: The main purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of various non-genetic factors on growth and production parameters of Ring-necked pheasant.
Methods: This research was done in three different pheasant farms in Nuwakot district during May 2022 to June 2023. The factors included in the research were farm management practices, the sex of the bird, and their interactions. The pheasant farms selected have intensive and extensive system of rearing and were fed with commercial feed, home-made feed and supplementation of mineral mixtures. The data were analyzed using Least Squares Analysis Techniques based on the Henderson Fixed Effect Model.
Results: Both farming practices and sex differences significantly influenced body weight at various time periods. The overall mean body weight of bird at one, three, five, eight, and ten months were 159.5, 492.0, 677.0, 909.0, and 1385.0 g, respectively. Male were heavier than female at all ages. The market age of Ring-necked pheasants was determined to be 40 weeks, with an average weight of 1385.3±0.26 g.
Conclusion: The findings suggested that Ring-necked pheasants can be successfully raised in the subtropical regions of Nepal with an improved package of practices for better growth and production traits. Similarly, the factors such as production system and sex of birds had significant effect on overall production performance.

Unlocking the Potential of Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in Nepal: First-time Evaluation of Varietal Suitability for Herbage and Seed Production

Sunita Sanjyal, Ram Prasad Ghimire, Naba Raj Devkota — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the adaptability and comparative production performance of different Lucerne varieties, ultimately recommending the best-suited variety for herbage and seed yield for the mid-hill regions of Nepal.
Methods: The experiment was conducted from October 2022 to July 2023 at research field of the National Pasture and Fodder Research Program (NPFRP) of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Lalitpur, Nepal. A field trial was set up using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) design with five replications. Sowing was carried out on the 1st of October, and the three varieties tested were Stamina 5, Kaituna, and Torlesse.
Results: The results showed that plant height and leaf area index (LAI) were significant (p < 0.001) among the varieties, while all the yield attributes (plant height, LAI, stem number, and leaf numbers) were significant (p < 0.01) for cutting management. Among the evaluated varieties, Stamina 5 exhibited the highest productivity (39.98) t/ha herbage, 11.41 t/ha dry matter (DMY), and 34.8 kg/ha seed yield.
Conclusion: The preliminary findings indicated that all three Lucerne varieties adapted well to mid-hill conditions with the Stamina 5 variety showing the best suitability and performance in the mid-hill regions of Nepal.

Challenges and Opportunities of Fisheries Sector Development in Nepal

Neeta Parajulee Karki — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This study was done to analyze the current status of fisheries production and discuss the opportunities and challenges of fisheries sector development in Nepal.
Methods: Published and gray literature including government documents, related reports and policies on fisheries and aquaculture were extensively reviewed; contents/findings were presented and discussed.
Results: The production and productivity of fisheries is Nepal is gradually increasing. However, this promising sector is facing several challenges, including low investment, inadequate legal tools/protocols, limited market access, increasing disease outbreaks, lack of skilled human resources, low productivity compared to neighboring countries. Additionally, the fisheries sector in Nepal is facing challenges from other emerging issues, including antimicrobial resistance. In order to systematically develop this sector, the Government of Nepal endorsed the National Fisheries Development Policy in September 2022 with the objective of commercializing the fisheries sector, achieving self-sufficiency in fisheries production, and eventually exporting fish. However, there is a lack of a dedicated action plan to turn this vision into reality.
Conclusion: A combination of an enabling policy environment, dedicated investments from both the public and private sectors, and an effective implementation of triad-research, extension, and education would be important to consider in achieving the vision outlined in the National Fisheries Development Policy.

Evaluation of Seasonal Variations and Water Quality Index at Seti River, Pokhara

Kisan Koirala, Ravi Bhandari — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This research investigates the seasonal variations of the Seti River during the dry and wet seasons.
Methods: Water samples were collected from two sample locations (n = 3) between April 2024 and July 2024 representing both wet and dry seasonal conditions. The physiochemical parameters analyzed were pH, Total Suspended Solids, Electric Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Phosphate, Nitrate, Ammonia, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, and Total Hardness using American Public Health Association (APHA) methods. Water Quality Index (WQI) was determined to evaluate the status of water quality during the dry and wet seasons.
Results: Concentration of various physiochemical parameters were analyzed and significant differences in all physiochemical parameters were observed. Five parameters (pH, Total suspended solids, Total hardness as CaCO3, Ammonia and Dissolved oxygen) showed their maximum level during wet season. Other parameters (Electric conductivity, Nitrate, Phosphates and Biochemical oxygen demand) showed their highest value during dry season. The calculated WQI for Hemja and Patneri during dry and wet seasons were 66.1, 44.9, 84.5 and 77.6, respectively.
Conclusion: The analysis of the results indicates a gradual decline in the quality of Seti river. It is worsened, mainly during the rainy season as the river receives increased loads of contaminants including agricultural and surface runoff.

Policy Actors, Role, and Gap in the Agricultural Policy Process of Nepal

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This study identifies the roles and limitations of key policy actors in Nepal’s agricultural policy process, aiming to understand how to develop more inclusive and effective policies.
Methods: A qualitative research approach was adopted, using a two-dimensional conceptual model that integrates policy actors with four key policy cycle phases: agenda-setting, formulation, implementation, and evaluation. This framework, grounded in policy network theory and new institutionalism, helped to assess the analytical, operational, institutional, systemic, and political capacities of actors. Data were collected through an extensive review of literature and fieldwork, including 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 18 key informant interviews (KIIs) conducted across all seven provinces of Nepal with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Results: Findings of this study revealed that the agricultural policy process in Nepal is highly centralized and dominated by state actors, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. While non-state actors such as farmers’ groups, academia, and civil society are present, but their engagement is limited and often symbolic. Donor agencies, however, exert significant influence by providing technical and financial support. Key gaps identified include weak coordination between different tiers of government, institutional fragmentation, and a pervasive lack of capacity among both state and non-state actors. We argue that these deficiencies contribute to policy failures, as evidenced by the underperformance of major national agricultural strategies.
Conclusion: Both state and non-state actors in Nepal have significant capacity gaps that hinder effective policy implementation. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening institutional structures, fostering collaboration, and investing in the policy capacities of all actors to create a more responsive and sustainable policy environment.

Attitude of School Students Towards Their Sports Teacher: A Case of Kageshwori Manohara Municipality, Nepal

Sonam Buddha Lama — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: Sports can also have an impact on physical development, which includes muscular coordination and body growth. Students get motivated in school towards sports, mainly with the help of certified physical education (PE) teachers, but information on attitude of such teachers from students’ perspectives are largely not known. The main objective of this research was to learn what the students think of sports teacher in terms of their attitudinal reflection.
Methods: This research analysed students’ attitudes in Kageshwori Manohara Municipality, Nepal, using a quantitative method. Data were collected using randomly identified 324 students of grade 9 from 9 secondary private schools across 38 schools at the Municipality. The attitude of students towards their sports teacher was analysed through dependent variables such as cultural
background, sports facilities in schools and facilities for sports teachers to keep them motivated. Six statements to each variable were provided and the scoring was based on the Likert scale with five intensity categories. EpiData software and SPSS version 25 tools were used data analysis, transcription and interpretation. The correlation regression model, using the Karl Pearson Correlation Coefficient, was used for analysis of the relevant information.
Results: From the study, we found that sports like ball games, athletics and martial arts are popular among students of secondary level. For attitude of students towards their sports teacher, the total weighted score from six statements was 19.46 . A moderate positive correlation between students’ cultural setting and their attitude toward sports teachers was seen in this study. Conversely, both school infrastructure/facilities and facilities expected for sports teachers showed a moderate negative correlation with the attitude towards sports teachers. Facilities provided to sports teacher was identified as the most influential predictor. However, the model may require refinement due to only one predictor demonstrating marginal significance.
Conclusion: This study emphasized the importance of students’ participation in physical activities for motor development, recommending schools hire qualified sports teachers, prioritise sports facilities, and create positive cultures. Schools were recommended to provide sports like athletics, ball games and martial arts. Further research needs to be conducted to analyse the attitudes of students using various other variables. Policy, standards and practice of sports teachers are also suggested.

Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Level and Altitudinal Variation on Early Growth Stage of Pen-Raised Ring-Necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Surkhet, Nepal

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: Kalij meat is recognized as containing high levels of protein and low amounts of fat, which makes it a healthy dietary option. Broiler meat is quite popular in Nepal, along with Sakini and other indigenous local poultry. However, city dwellers and those who enjoy the special taste of indigenous poultry meat are increasingly inclined toward Kalij pheasant meat. Ring necked pheasant is called Kalij in Nepal. There are 8 different Kalij species in Nepal, but Ring-Necked Kalij are commercially popular although their growth performance is very poor. The main objective of this research was to assess early growth performance of Ring necked Kalij to varying protein levels in their diet by considering altitudinal variation, in Surkhet, Nepal.
Methods: Two altitudes (flat basin, of 658 and 1,498 mean above sea level) of Surkhet district were chosen for this research. Accordingly, four different crude protein (CP) levels, containing 24%, 25%, 26%, and 27% were provided along with required energy and minerals in their diet. Birds were reared under CRD with each treatment replicated four times. Feed intake and growth parameters were measured weekly.
Results: Findings revealed that altitude had a significant effect (p < 0.001) to both feed intake and growth resulting in higher growth rate at flat basin (lower altitude), but such effect was not significant (p < 0.05) for treatments combination until 3-6 weeks of initial growth stage.
Conclusion: The Early-stage body weight gain of Kalij pheasant in flat plain and also to the higher altitude with respect to varying protein content in diet are encouraging, but further detail and in-depth research is required to gauge out the effect of standard diet to the growth of Kalij birds that are appropriate from CP content and carcass quality perspective.

Machine Learning Approaches for Nepali News Categorization: Naive Bayes and Support Vector Machine

Saroj Giri, Rajesh Kamar, Shiva Ram Dam — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: This study explores performance of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Na¨ıve Bayes (NB) classification techniques for Nepali news classification.
Methods: To experiment the system, news were collected from different online social media news portals. We analyzed user interactions with news posts to identify patterns and preferences across different domains, specifically health and politics.
Results: Our study evaluates effectiveness of these classification models based on accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Results indicate that while SVM generally provide better classification performance with 91.5% accuracy, Na¨ıve Bayes with an accuracy of 85.3% remains a competitive alternative due to its simplicity and efficiency.
Conclusion: Our research work applies SVM and Na¨ıve Bayes models to classify Nepali news enabling automated categorization of news articles into predefined categories.