Labor scarcity, increasing production costs and declining or static productivity are the
major challenges of maize based production systems in Nepal. Conservation Agriculture
(CA) promotes reverse degradation processes, improves resource quality, reduces
production costs and helps achieve sustained high productivity. However, it also requires a
change in people's mindset, appropriate machinery and new ways of crop management.
Despite its tremendous scope, Nepali farmers have not readily adopted CA practices.
Recently, NARC in collaboration with CIMMYT has begun research in maize based CA
systems. The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance ofCA in Nepalese agriculture
systems .. Generating knowledge through on-station research and wide-scale verification in
farmer's fields are the basic pathways ofpromoting CA based practices in Nepal. In light of
available information, policy interventions are suggested for implementationto streamline
CAin Nepal.

Labor scarcity, increasing production costs and declining or static productivity are the
major challenges of maize based production systems in Nepal. Conservation Agriculture
(CA) promotes reverse degradation processes, improves resource quality, reduces
production costs and helps achieve sustained high productivity. However, it also requires a
change in people's mindset, appropriate machinery and new ways of crop management.
Despite its tremendous scope, Nepali farmers have not readily adopted CA practices.
Recently, NARC in collaboration with CIMMYT has begun research in maize based CA
systems. The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance ofCA in Nepalese agriculture
systems .. Generating knowledge through on-station research and wide-scale verification in
farmer's fields are the basic pathways ofpromoting CA based practices in Nepal. In light of
available information, policy interventions are suggested for implementationto streamline
CAin Nepal.