@article{d624e20cfd894d2d881ee093db2c8ecf,
title = "Multi-level determinants of crop choice to water stress in smallholder irrigation system of Central Nepal",
abstract = "Change in crop choice is a common adaptation strategy for global change. However, its drivers are not well understood. We investigate the multilevel determinants of smallholders{\textquoteright} crop choice in irrigated agriculture of Central Nepal. We build upon previous studies and consider four levels of determinants: households, irrigation systems, local and regional market systems, and climatic conditions. Using primary survey data of 316 farmers from 9 farmer-managed irrigation systems in the Trishuli-Narayani sub-basin of Central Nepal, among other results, we document that smallholder farmers are likely to choose rice during the monsoon season if they are experienced and farm in the irrigation systems fed by large rivers. Water stress affects the crop choice mainly in two ways. In irrigation systems fed by large rivers, farmers located towards the tail-end of the canal are less likely to plant rice due to water stress. Farmers living in the irrigation systems that are fed by small and medium-size rivers are more likely to choose less water-demanding crops. Market integration is also a key determinant of crop choice. We discuss the implications of our findings for climate-resilient adaptation strategies in Central Nepal.",
keywords = "Farmer-managed irrigation systems, adaptation, crop choice, mountain, multilevel model, rice",
author = "Bhuwan Thapa and Tauhidur Rahman",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Himalayan Adaptation, Water and Resilience consortium under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia with financial support from the UK Government{\textquoteright}s Department for International Development and the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada. This work was also partially supported by core funds of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) contributed by the governments of Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The authors also acknowledge support from the International Water Security Network, funded by Lloyd{\textquoteright}s Register Foundation (LRF, London, UK), a charitable foundation in the United Kingdom helping to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research. The preliminary field survey was conducted with additional financial support from Climate & Society Graduate Fellowship provided by the Climate Assessment for the Southwest at the University of Arizona. Special thanks to Ram Hari Sharma, Basanta Raj Pariyar, Purushottam Lamichhane, Sanjib Thapaliya, Aman Shrestha, and Ananta Aryal for the field data collection and data entry works and ICIMOD staffs for the technical guidance and logistic support during our field research in Nepal. This research will not be possible without the support of all the farmers who offered their valuable time to interact with us and respond to our survey. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",
year = "2021",
doi = "10.1080/17565529.2020.1840962",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "13",
pages = "581--592",
journal = "Climate and Development",
issn = "1756-5529",
publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",
number = "7",
}