Prospect of Sustainable Organic Tea Farming in Lwang, Kaski, Nepa

네팔 르왕지역의 지속적 유기농차 재배 방향

Traditionally, like many people in mountain region of the Himalaya, the Lwang communities depend on mix of subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and seasonal migrant labor for their livelihoods. These traditional systems are characterized by low productivity, diverse use of available natural resources (largely for home consumption), limited markets, and some aversion for innovation. The potential to generate wealth through commerce has largely been untapped by these mountain residents and thus is undervalued in local and national economies. Introduction of organic tea farming is a part of Lwang community's several initiatives to break the vicious poverty cycle Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) played facilitating roles in all their efforts since beginning. In five years, the tea plantation emerged as a new means for secured a livelihood. This study aims to analyze the current practices in tea farming both in terms of farm management and soil nutrient status(technical) and the prosperity of the tea farmers (social). The technical aspect covers the soil and tea leaf analysis of various nutrients contents in the soil and tea leaf. Originally, the technical aspect of the study was not planned but later during the consultation with the advisor it was taken into consideration which added value to the research study. The sample were collected from different locations and analyzed on the field itself. The other part of the study i.e. the social aspect was done through questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. the tea farming provided them not only a new opportunity but also earned an identity in the region. This initiative was undertaken as a piloting measure. Now that the tea is in production with processing unit established locally, more serious consideration has to be given for better yield and economic prosperity. This research finding will help the community to analyze their efforts and make correction measures in tea garden management and application of fertilizer. It is also expected to fill up the gaps of knowledge and information required to reduce economic stresses and enhance capacity of farmers to make the tea farming a sustainable and beneficial business. The findings are expected to Sustainability of organic tea farming has direct impacts on biodiversity conservation compared to the other traditional farming practices that are more resource intensive. The study will also contribute to identify key action points required for reducing poverty while conserving environment and enhancing livelihoods

1. Lwang은 해발 1,200m 정도의 산악지역으로 일교차가 크고 햇볕의 양이 많은 지역으로 토양산도는 차재배에 이상적인 pH(H₂O)가 평균 5.60이다. 2. pH(KCL) 4.26으로 이상적이다. 그러나 두 pH 차이가 1.34으로 심한 양분 부족 현상을 보이며 토양 EC가 0.05 mS/cm로 심각한 토양 수탈현상을 보이고 있다. 3. 토양의 산화환원전위(ORP)는 393mV로 아주 이상적인 토양을 보이고 있다. 토양산도와 함께 산화환원전위(ORP)는 좋은 유기농 차를 만드는데 큰 역할을 하고 있다. 4. 차는 연중 양분(養分)을 흡수하고 있는데, 측정 결과는 전 항목에서 심한 양분의 부족현상을 보여 향후 유기물의 투입이 요구되고 있다.