Stakeholder perceptions on potential of irrigation to adapt to climate change in mixed farming systems of the Mid-Hills of Nepal: Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping study with farmers, extension and researchers– Summary Report

A prevalent challenge in the agricultural development sector is the alignment of perceptions among different stakeholder types involved in sustainable intensification. Due to differing visions, or a lack of communication there of, new practices can fail to be adopted (Christen et al., 2015). Perceptions originate from the belief systems of stakeholders, so called ‘mental models’. Therefore, to successfully implement new sets of practices, it is important to understand stakeholders’ belief systems, in particular those of researchers, extension agents and farmers. In South Asia, agronomic interventions developed through research-extension systems that generally focus on new technologies but overlook farmers’ knowledge and perspectives and can result in context insensitive interventions (Aravindakshan et al., 2021).To identify locally appropriate target indicators, it is crucial to explore farmers’ conceptualizations of farm system components, dynamics and performance. Gaining an understanding of the perceived functioning of the agroecosystem will give insight into the associated decision-making in terms of farm management (Vanwindekens et al., 2013). Moreover, comparing these perceptions with other stakeholder types, such as researchers or policy makers, plays an important role in effective adoption, so that differences can be identified and integrated in implementation strategies (Halbrendt et al., 2012). Farmers operating rainfed farms in the mid-hills of Nepal are confronted with significant challenges. The region’s climate, characterized by concentrated monsoon rainfall and prolonged dry periods, makes year-round agricultural production impossible. Climate change is expected to further exacerbate the irregular temporal distribution of water (CIAT, 2017). The unpredictable water supply threatens the livelihoods of these farmers. Small-scale and micro irrigation offers promising solutions to stabilize water availability and mitigate the adverse effects of climate-induced variability on agriculture. However, the successful implementation of irrigation systems in these areas with challenging topography face not only challenges in infrastructure design; it also requires an understanding of the perceptions of the different stakeholders involved. These stakeholders include the farmers who could use the irrigation systems, the local government responsible for supporting agricultural initiatives, and researchers who provide additional knowledge. Currently, it is unknown to what extent perceptions of these stakeholders align on the potential benefits of irrigation in terms of enhancing food security and increasing cash income with the prospect of climate change. The main objective of this research is to assess and compare the perceptions on the potential mitigative properties of irrigation on cash income and food security in times of climate change among different stakeholder types in Khotang district, Nepal. The specific objectives for this research are: 1. To gain insight into stakeholders’ perceptions of the current rainfed farming system components, dynamics and performance. 2. To understand how livelihood outcomes (i.e. cash income and food security) change in response to scenarios of climate change and irrigation intervention according to the perceptions expressed in the FCMs. 3. To identify the discrepancies and communalities in the perceptions of the different stakeholder types.