Database/6

Nepal

APPSP
April, 2004
Contents Page

1. Socio-economic and Livelihood Situation 3

2. Geographical location 3
3. Demography 3
4. Land use 4
5. Agriculture Situation 5
6.Potintial pocket Area of VDCs 7
7. Institutions operating in the districts 8
8. Major NGOs working in the district 9
10.Market Information 10
11 References 10

Tables:-
Table-1 Distribution of population by ethnicity 3
Table -2 Land use patterns 4
Table-3 Pocket Areas 7
Table-4 Market information 9

Figures:-

Fig-1 Estimated productivity of crops 5

Fig-2 Meat, Milk and Egg Production 7

Annexes:-

Annex-1 Production and productivity of crops and livestock 11

Annex-2 12
Annex-3 14
Annex-4 15

Ramechhap District Database 2004 2

 DISTRICT PROFILE OF RAMECHHAP DISTRICT

1. Geographical location:
Ramechhap district lies in the central Development Region of Nepal with an area of over 1546
square km. It extends from 27 28 to 27 50 north latitude and lies between to 85 50 to 86 35 east
longitude. Ramechhap is surrounded by Solkhumbhu and Okhaldunga in the east, Kavre and
Sindhupalchok on west and north Dolakha and Sindhuli in south. The district headquarter is
Manthali The district has 55 Village Development Committees. Geographically, more than 72
percent of the area is covered by hills, 16 percent by Siwalik plains and plateau and the remaining 12
percent by Terai plains. The altitude ranges from 1000 meters to 4848 meters.

2. Socio-economic and livelihood situation:

Agriculture faces a great challenge of feeding some 212,408 people in Ramechhap district and it has
remained basically subsistence-oriented with lower productivity. Of the total population of the
district 116,287 of male population and 54,412 of female population are economically active and
17,281 of male and 20,389of female are economically inactive. With 94 percent of population
engaged in agriculture Therefore, agriculture sector is pivotal for any attempt to increase incomes,
alleviate widespread poverty and uplift living standards of this district. The non-agriculture
occupation/livelihood is limited only to 107,64 of the population, of which 17 is in
Legislators/Senior Officials ,1,676 is in Prof./Semi Prof./Tech Workers , 90,770 is in Farm, Fishing
and Forestry Worker , 280 is in Prod. Labor workers and 81,979 rest are in others and not stated.

3. Demography:
According to 2001 Census, the total population of the district is 212,408 residing in 40,386
Households. Male and female population stands at 100,853 and 111,555 respectively. Population is
growing at 3.4 percent per annum. Population density increased from about 60.61 persons per sq km
in 1990 to 1136.39 persons per sq km in 2001. Some 2.2 percent households are small land holders
while 60.2 percent are medium land holders. A meager 4.9 percent own more than 5 hectares of
land. Brahmin and Chhetri is the major ethnic group followed by Tamang and Sunwar. Nepali is
widely spoken in the district. More than 78 percent of the people are Hindus, followed by Buddhists.
Majority of the people are engaged in subsistence agriculture. Literacy is estimated at 44.7 percent
with male literary of 61.5 percent and female literacy at 27.2 percent. Life expectancy at birth is 59.7
years.
The total population of the district according District Demographic Profile of Nepal 2001is 212,408
with 40,386 households. Based on ethnicity, the distribution of population is given below.

Table-1 Distribution of population by ethnicity

Type of caste
Population Percentage
Dalit 20638 10%
Ethnic(Rai, Magar, Tamang, Tharu etc) 64368 30%
Brahmin,Chhetri 32271 15%
Others 95131 45%
Total 212,408 100%
Ramechhap District Database 2004 3
Fig-1
15%

Dalit

30%
Ethnic

Brahmin,
Chhetri
45%
Others
10%

Source: District Demographic Profile

4. Land use:
The total area of Ramechhap district has been reported differently by different agencies. The land
use data shown by following agencies are:

Table -2 Land use patterns of Ramechhap..

Types of land use DADOs'Source(ha)

Cultivated Land 59,180 ha
Forest Land 66,159ha
Grass Land 11,429 ha
Bush/Shrub 4399 ha
Other Purpose 13433 ha
Total 154,600 ha

**District Agricultural Development and Statistics Book,DADO,058/059

Ramechhap District Database 2004 4

Out of the total land area of 154,600 ha, 34 percent (59,180 ha) is used for agriculture purpose,
38percent (66,159 ha) is forest land and the rest 28 percent is in other uses. About 78 percent of the
total agricultural land is cultivated and of this cultivated land, some 44.1 percent is irrigated at least
one season. Likewise about 34,708 ha of cultivated land is devoted to major crops and fruit covers
3.1 percent. Roughly 26.2 percent of total forest area is under community forestry, while 2 percent is
under leasehold and private forestry and the rest 72 percent under government forestry. (NARMA
Report).

5. Agriculture Situation:

Crops
The major crops grown in Ramechhap are rice, maize, wheat, millet, oilseed, potato and pulses. The
area, production and productivity of crops, horticulture, fisheries are given in annex- The area of
production in the district on the vdc basis are as follows:

SN crops Crops production vdc

1 Paddy Manthali, Bhatauli, Pakarbas, Khemti, Saghutar , Bentha Chishapani
2 Maize Produce in most of the vdc
3 Wheat Manthali, Pakarbash, Bhatauli, Khimti, Bentha, Chishapani
CHASH CROPS
1 Mustards Ramachhap, Okhani, Shukajor, Sunarpani, Shalu, Rampur, Bhaluwagor,
2 Black gram Nagdaha, Kathjhor, Shalu, Deurali,
VEGETABLE
1 Annual Manthali, Okhani, Sukajor, Sunarpani, Shalu, Rampur, Kathjor, Pakarws.
2 Winter Okhani, Manthali, Kahamti, Shalu, Ramachhap, Sukajor.

1. The productivity of major crops are presented below.

Ramechhap District Database 2004 5

 Estimated Productivity(mt/ha) of the Major crops

2.5

Paddy
2
Wheat
Maize
1.5
Millets
Barley
1
Oil Seed

0.5

0
1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002

20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12 Sugercane
11
10 Tobacco
9
8 Potato
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002

Source: Statistical Year Book,2003

Fruits
The types of fruits namely Citrus, winter and summer Fruit are grown in the district. The main fruits
are orange apple mango, guava and banana (details in annex 1) .The area of these fruits (according to
Statistical information on Nepalese Agriculture, 02/03) is:

Ramechhap District Database 2004 6

 Fruit types Area(ha) Production(mt)
Citrus 746 10078
Winter 23 173
Summer 10 110

Vegetables
Summer and winter vegetable are grown in the district. The major vegetable are pumpkin, sponge
gourd, beans, brinjal bottle-gourd, cucumber, bittee-gourd, onion, , cabbage, tomato, radish, broad
leaf mustard. The area, production and productivity of summer and winter vegetables in the year
02/03 is:

Vegetable Area(ha) Production(mt)

All 973 7784

Natural resources;
For the Natural resources, the altitude range lies from 379-1200 meter to 5000meter and above.
Under this there are 5 categories of natural plants. Which are discuss below: More information is in
Annex:2

Types of Natural plants;

SN Types Location
1 Evergreen tropical 379-1200 mt
2 Deciduous 1200-21000 mt
3 Evergreen Pine 2100-33600 mt
4 Temperate 3300-5000 mt
Source: Office of District Development Committee

Livestock
The district has 59,899 heads of buffalow 63,672 Cattle, 63,199 Goat, 2,829 sheep, 14,122 heads of
pigs and 177,699 fowls The following figure indicates the increase of meat, milk and egg over a
period of 5 years

Fig-2 Meat, Milk and Egg Production between 1997/98 and 2002/2003

Items Unit 1998/1999 1999/00 2000/01 2001/2002 2002/2003

Milk m.litres 12269 12943 13028 13068 13028
Meat m.tons 1590 1569 1743 1837 1561
Egg in thousand 2668 2279 3306 3865 3305

Ramechhap District Database 2004 7

 14000
13000
12000
11000
10000
9000
8000 Milk
7000 Meat
6000 Egg
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/2002 2002/2003

Source: Statistical information on Nepalese Agriculture 91/92, 97/98 and 01/02

and Nepal Agriculture database,01/02

6. Potential Pocket area of VDC in Agriculture & Livestock:

a. Identified Pocket area for Livestock's:

Potential Pockets VDC
Buffalo Pakarwash, Khimti, Tilpung, Manthali, Kathjor, Bhaluwajor,Bhalluti,
Goat Golu, Chisapani, Puranaghau, Himganga, Rampur, Khani, Ramechhap,
Virpani, Rakathum, bathan.
Pig Ramechhap, Sukajhor, Bhaluwajor, Manthali, Rampur
Hen Khimti, Tiplung, Manthali, Chisapani, Bhalauli, Rampur.
Source: DLSO Annual Report 2057/2058 Ramechhap

b. Identified Pocket area for Agriculture:

Potential Pockets VDC
Maize Gauswara, Tokarpur, Doramba, Dadoba, Fulashi, Puranaghau,
Gaylu,Fharpu, Ramachhap, Sunarpani, Salupati, Himganga, Okheni,
Betali, Thaose, Chuchure, Gumdhel, Bamti, Kubhukasthali, Priti,
Bhugi,Duraghau.
Paddy Tokarpur, Bhtauli, Pakarwash, Manthali, Chisapani, Khimti,
Tupling,Shaipu,Bugilikot,Himganja, Sakutar.
Potato Gauswara, Daduwa, Doramba, Rasnalu, Gupteshwor, Bhugi, Thoshe,
Priti, Bamti, Chuchure, Gumdel.
Annual Dadoba, Fhusali, Bethana, Khaniyapani, Bhirpani, Pakarwas, Makadum,
vegetable Vatuli, Chisapani, Puranaghau, Manthali, Kathagor, Salupati, Okhani,
Gothaghau, Gelu, Phusali, Namadi, Thoshe, Kubhukasthali, Bamti.

Ramechhap District Database 2004 8

Sweet Orange Betali Dadhuwa Deurali Dimipokhari Duragaun Gelu Gothgaun Hiledevi
Himganga Lakhanpur Majuw Makadum NagaDaha
NamadiOkhreni Phulasi Puranagau Rakathum Ramechhap Rampur Salupati
Sanghutar Sukajor Tilpung

Source: DADO Ramechhap

7. Institutions operating in the districts:

There are 11 APP related institutions in Ramechhap district. Besides, there are 13 major NGOs and
10 Community Based Organizations (CBOs), which are actively involved in the development of the
district.
Major Government Institutions related to APP are described below:

a. District Agriculture Development Office

The District Agriculture Development Office is located at Manthali. It operates through its 4 Service
Centers and 7 Service Sub-center. These Service Centers and sub centers are mandated to provide
services to the entire district. However, the Pocket Package Program of DADO is limited to only 25
VDCs. Most of DADOs extension services are channeled through farmers groups although
individual farmers can also access the services. There are a total of 56 farmers groups (25 male
groups, 6 female groups and 26 mixed) with a total membership of 703 farmers. Of this total 550 are
males and 153 females. DADO has a provision of 26 staff comprising of 5 (five) officers, 21 non
gazette administrative and account staff including peons of ASC and ASSC. A second class officer

heads the office. Other staff personnel are one second class agriculture extension officer, and three
subject matter specialists (third class); one each for plant protection, horticulture and planning and
extension. Service center is staffed with one JT, one JTA and one peon while a sub-center is staffed
with one JTA and one peon. All staff positions is not fulfilled. DADO is housed in a rented building.
Of the 11 ASC/ASSC, 2 are housed in own premises and rest have rented building. None of the
ASC/ASSC was destroyed by the Maoist. . The annual budget for the fiscal year 2003/04 is Rs
7300000.

Agriculture service centers in the district:

SN Service Name VDC
1 Agriculture sub- service center Doramba, Chishapani, Saghutar,Duraghau,Bamti, Batal,
Puranaghau,
2 Office of Agriculture service Bethana Bhirpani, Khimti,
center
3 District Agriculture Manthali
development office

b.District Livestock Service Office

Ramechhap District Database 2004 9

The District Livestock Services Office is located at Manthali and operates through its 4 Service
Centers and 8 sub centers. Officially the service centers and sub centers are mandated to cover the
whole district, but in reality only 37 VDCs are covered by their pocket area development activities.
All these program are channeled through farmers groups. Nevertheless individual farmers also have
access to DLSO services. There are 43 farmer groups (15 male, 11 female17 mixed groups) with
total membership of 471farmers. Of them 310 are males and 161 are females. DLSO office has a
provision of 39 staff compromising of 2 officers and 37 non gazetted officers including JT/JTAs,
accountant and peon .. Among the 2 officers 1 is Livestock Development Officer while another is
Veterinary doctor. Six positions in the office are vacant. DLSO has its own building and of the 13
SC/SSC 6 is on rent The annual budget of the DLSO for fiscal Year 2003/2004 is Rs 7935000 .

c. IDD:
There is only a contact office in the district manned by a very junior staff. The district is covered by
another Division. The annual budget for the fiscal year 2003/04 is Rs 4000000 but this budget for the
2 districts.

d. District Technical Office (DTO):

District Technical Office is situated in Manthali and has its own office building. The office has a
provision for 11 staff but only 5 posts are fulfilled so far. One (1) Engineer and 3 Overseers are
employed through DDC. The DTO has one second clas officer as its Chief and 2 third class officer
(at present vacant) and rest are non gazetted officer. DTO is currently oprating only in 2 VDCs of
Gumsi and Okhereni in rural d rinking water and agriculture road construction.

e. Women Development Office (WDO):

WDO is situated in Manthali The WDO at present are operating two programs, PCRW in 8 VDC
and Mahila jagriti in 11 VDC.This office compromises of 10 staff members. The Women
Development Officer is a third class officer and rests are non gazetted officer. The annual budget
could not be recorded as the Accountant was on leave.

g. District Forest Office (DFO):

The District Forest Office is located at Ramechhap. One Area Office is situated in Manthali and 8
Range Posts are covered by this office. The DFO has 75 staff personnel out of which 1 is second
class officer who heads the office. There is 1 Attach officer which is 3rd class officer and rest are
rangers, security guards accountant etc. There are 8 Area Offices within the district each having 1
range post under it. Each range post is manned by one ranger 1 assistant,and security guards. The
annual budget of DFO is Rs 9,929,000.

Major NGOs working in district

CDS(NGO):
Community Development Society is located at Manthali, ward -4. It was been established in 2001.
Its work focus is community development through income generating activities, and rural social
awareness.. It mainly works for DAG, Women and backward classes. This NGO has rented office
building with computer and fax facilities .The CDS currently is working in 3 VDCs.Ther are21staff
members of this office of which 10 are field based. All of them are local hence have good impacts on
awreness program. The CDS was less willing to share information on their budget.

Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti:

Ramechhap District Database 2004 10

TSS is a district based NGO working in different sector like agriculture health and micro credit since
2040. It is member based organization and has 1000 members. As reported, TSS has its program
spread over 25 VDCs. It has a well maintained office with computer and vehicle facilities. It has its
own hospital building which provides health care facilities to needy and poor on low cost .Very
recently it has started to work on agro- forestry sector. The NGO has 44 staff in the office and rest is
volunteers and is fully field based

9. The location of the Main Market in the district.

Market
S.N Location
1. Doramba
2 Galpa
3 Khimti
4 Ramachhap
5 Saghutar
6 Sunarpani
7 Thonse

Source: Office of District Development Committee2059

10. Telephone Facility in the district

According to the 2059 data, there are all total 11 VHF line in 11 Vdc , 23 JRC line in one Vdc and
124 CD line in Manthali Vdc. So all total there are 200 telephone lines available in the Ramechhap
district. More details is in the Annex:2

References:
Agricultural Statistics of Nepal,DFAMS, 91/92
Annual Agricultural Development Program and Statistics Book 01/02,DADO,
Annual Progress Report 01/02, DLSO,r
District Profiling and Institutional Assessment of Selected Program Districts, NARMA consultancy
District Demographic Profile 2001
Private Limited, September 03.
Nepal Agriculture Database
Periodic District Development Plan (2058/59-2063/64),

Ramechhap District Database 2004 11

Statistical information on Nepalese Agriculture,ASD/ MOAC95/96
Statistical information on Nepalese Agriculture,ABPSD/ MOAC01/02
Statistical Year Book of Nepal, CBS, 2003

Ramechhap District Database 2004 12

Production and Productivity changes over a period between 91/92 to 02/03 Annex 1

S.N 1991/1992 1997/98 2002/2003

Area Production Productivity Area Production Productivity Area Production Productivity(mt/ha)
(ha) (mt) (mt/ha) (ha) (mt) (mt/ha) (ha) (mt)

1 Rice 4,930.0 6,480.0 1.3 6,150.0 12,060.0 2.0 7,872.0 17,010.0 2.2
3 Wheat 3,640.0 3,990.0 1.1 2,613.0 4,311.0 1.6 3,790.0 6,650.0 1.8
2 Maize 16,900.0 16,990.0 1.0 15,803.0 26,070.0 1.6 15,100.0 32,090.0 2.1
4 Millets 2,500.0 2,500.0 1.0 7,700.0 7,122.0 0.9 85,002.0 5,000.0 0.1
5 Barley 340.0 310.0 0.9 300.0 210.0 0.7 115.0 120.0 1.0
6 Sugarcane 90.0 1,180.0 13.1 50.0 680.0 13.6 40.0 700.0 17.5
7 Oil Seed 240.0 140.0 0.6 240.0 185.0 0.8 250.0 119.0 0.5
8 Tobacco 90.0 1,180.0 13.1 50.0 680.0 13.6
9 Potato 1,900.0 11,400.0 6.0 2,600.0 3,200.0 1.2 2,663.0 26,600.0 10.0
10 Pulses NA NA NA NA NA NA
11 Vegetables NA NA NA NA NA NA 973.0 7,784.0 8.0

12 Fruits
Summer NA NA NA NA NA NA 10.0 110.0 11.0
Citrus NA NA NA NA NA NA 746.0 10,078.0 13.5
Deciduous NA NA NA NA NA NA 23.0 173.0 7.5
13 Fish 2.8 3,556.0 1,270.0

NA= Not Available

Ramechhap District Database 2004 13

 Annex:2

Ramechhap District Database 2004 14

 Annex :3

Ramechhap District Database 2004 15

 Annex 4

Ramechhap District Database 2004 16