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Agroforestry practice is becoming compassionate option for rural communities to fulfil basic needs and generate income for households' wellbeing. Gender consideration seems worthful to obtain optimum benefits from agroforestry practices in the scarcity of male labour in the locality. This paper has attempted to analyse tendency of gendered participation in agroforestry practice and their existence in gaining benefits. We selected three mid-hills districts of Nepal where people are adopting both traditional (fulfilling subsistence needs) and improved (commercial purpose along with fulfilling subsistence needs) practices. We organized focused group discussions (n = 9), randomly sampled (n = 420) households for interview from each practice (n = 210) to analyse gendered wise participation in farm establishment, management intervention, capacity building and access to information, known as major agroforestry promoting activities. Key informant interview (n = 18), focused group discussions (n = 9), randomly sampled (n = 420) households for interview from each practice (n = 210) was organized to analyse gendered wise participation in farm establishment, management intervention, capacity building and access to information, known as major agroforestry promoting activities. Women participation seemed to be higher in establishment activities than male in traditional practices whereas males were front in applying chemical fertilizer and pesticides and irrigation in improved practices. While changing in practices from traditional to improved, male participation during land tillage found to be significant. Male domination was observed in making decisions regarding species selection in traditional practices whereas women domination was observed in improved practices. Men's involvement in species selection and plantation was found significant with changing in practices from traditional to improved. Men were ahead in capacity building and skill How to cite this paper:

A study was carried out to identify structural causes of marketing margin for off-season vegetables value chain in a part of Surkhet-Dailekh road corridor during July to August 2011. Cost of production and producer's price were calculated at collection point of Bubairakhe in Goganpani VDC of Surket, and consumer's price observed at 30km far end market in Birndranagar municipalty of Surkhet. From the result of study, the marketing margin found doubled in all types of off-season vegetables value chain. The share of postharvest loss observed first most important factor for higher marketing margin, in tomato 42 percent and cauliflower 37 percent. However, it found third important factor in cabbage 28 percent. The profit margin kept by value chain actors, with contrasting in common perception, observed second important factor for increasing marketing margin in tomato 31 percent, cauliflower 28 percent and cabbage 44 percent. Hence, apposite attempts to reduce post-harvest loss in off-season vegetables value chain might be an important way for reducing marketing margin in off-season vegetables value chain. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:13, Jun.2012, Page 27-31 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v13i0.7584

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Background and Research Aims: Buffer zone programs aim to reduce park-people conflicts by improving local livelihoods through integrated conservation and development activities. A case study was conducted at Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal from 2002–2016 to examine some buffer zone initiatives. Methods: Focus group discussions ( n = 7), key informant interviews ( n = 14), and field observations were performed in accordance with the IUCN Framework for Assessing Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas 2006 and WWF´s Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management 2006. Results: A total of 99 buffer zone activities were identified, including a variety of construction activities such as hydroelectric projects, trails, schools, and monasteries. Park funds were allocated mainly for community development and social welfare (42%), and less on conservation and conflict management (22%). For example, traditional “ Nawa” animal rearing practices, feral dog control, and mitigation of wildlife damages to crops and livestock were overlooked. Conclusion: Support gained from the buffer zone program to address livelihoods of needy households who suffer from wildlife damages was lacking, despite legal provisions for compensation (e.g. crop damages caused by jharal). This should not occur at the expense of wildlife conservation and if it does, it will diminish the original intent of buffer zones. Implications for Conservation: Although most of the local communities were positive about buffer zone programs and activities, there was a dire need to incorporate “ Nawa” practices, wildlife damage compensation schemes, and feral dog controls. This study suggests to update policies that focus on conflict management.