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Agrobiodiversity conservation for climate-resilient agriculture in Nepal

Tribikram Dahal
Tribikram Dahal

Student

6 min read
Agrobiodiversity conservation for climate-resilient agriculture in Nepal

Agrobiodiversity conservation in Nepal: Building climate-resilient agriculture

Introduction

Climate change threatens the agriculture sector since it is closely associated with climatic factors. As a result of climate change, the mountainous country, Nepal, is facing extreme weather events like floods and droughts, rising temperatures, and unpredictable rainfall, which is affecting the agriculture and livelihood of the country (Subedi et al., 2019). All of these issues, linked to climate change, have a major impact on the nation’s agricultural sector. In this context, implementing the concept of agrobiodiversity can be essential to address these issues and build a climate-resilient agricultural system.  

Agrobiodiversity is a subset of biodiversity, the part of biological diversity that is used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture (FAO, 2018). Agriculture and biodiversity are closely linked, with the former relying on the latter. Furthermore, biodiversity is necessary to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment and, consequently, to build resilience against the effects of climate change and its linked issues. Snir (2015) mentions that agrobiodiversity is the outcome of thousands of years of interactions of human societies, the land, and the living organisms. Given that human food, medicine, fibre, fuelwood and other resources are directly derived from other species, it is the cornerstone of both sustainable food security and human life.

This article explores the components of agrobiodiversity, the climatic challenges faced by agriculture in Nepal, and the role of agrobiodiversity in strengthening resilience against climate change.

Components of agrobiodiversity

Vandermeer and Perfecto (1995) classify agrobiodiversity into two main components:

  • Planned agrobiodiversity: the diversity of crops and livestock deliberately managed by farmers.
  • Associated biodiversity: the biota (soil microbes, beneficial insects, weeds, herbivores, carnivores, etc.) that survive within and around agroecosystems, influenced by local management and environmental conditions.

Associated biodiversity also extends beyond fields into landscapes such as grasslands, forests, and wetlands, all of which provide ecosystem services essential to agriculture (Jackson et al., 2007).

Joshi et al. (2020) provide a broader categorization for Nepal, describing agrobiodiversity in terms of:

These groups are further classified into domesticated, semi-domesticated, wild relatives, and wild edible subcomponents.

Figure 1. Components and Subcomponents of Agrobiodiversity in Nepal

Modified from: Joshi et al. (2020)

Climatic challenges in agriculture

Climate change is the major climate challenge in both the global and Nepali scenario. Nepal is experiencing a number of natural disasters such as flash floods, hailstones, landslides, mass movement, soil erosion, and avalanches that are affecting its agricultural systems (Barlett et al., 2010; Dulal et al., 2010). Rice, the nation’s primary staple crop, may be under jeopardy due to changes in streamflow reliability, stronger and more unpredictable monsoon rains and flood consequences (MOF, 2011; NAPA, 2010; Timsina, 2011). According to NDRRMA (2024) reports, the deadly floods and landslides that occurred in Nepal during late September 2024 as a result of abnormally high rainfall caused heavy agricultural losses including 65,380 hectares affected area with an estimated total financial loss of NPR 5.88 billion.

Role of agrobiodiversity in climate resilience

Agrobiodiversity is crucial for strengthening agricultural systems’ resilience to the negative impacts of climate change (Jackson et al., 2013). The diversity of crops, livestock, microorganisms, and associated species provides a wide pool of genetic resources that help farming communities adapt to changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, droughts, pests, and disease outbreaks (Maskell et al., 2023; Xie & Wang, 2024).

1. Genetic resources and traditional varieties

Local livestock breeds and traditional crop varieties often carry traits such as disease resistance, pest tolerance, and drought resilience, making them essential for coping with climatic stress (Hailu, 2025). Preserving these genetic resources ensures that farmers retain adaptive options under uncertain conditions.

2. Diversification and buffering effects

One of the major contributions of agrobiodiversity is its buffering effect (Wang, 2020). Since different species respond differently to climatic stressors, diversified systems such as intercropping, polyculture, and crop rotation reduce the probability of total crop failure. This diversity stabilizes production and strengthens the food system, ensuring rural communities maintain access to essential food sources even in times of climatic extremes (Hailu, 2025).

3. Ecosystem services and soil health

Agrobiodiversity enhances ecosystem services that help mitigate the effects of climate change. For example:

  • Leguminous crops fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers (Kumar et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2024).
  • Diverse cropping systems preserve soil structure, regulate the hydrological cycle, and improve carbon sequestration.
  • Agroforestry systems integrate trees with crops and livestock, providing multiple benefits including carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and improved microclimates.

4. Pest and disease regulation

Climate change increases the risk of pest and disease outbreaks. Agrobiodiversity reduces this vulnerability by disrupting pest cycles and encouraging natural predator–prey interactions. A diverse mix of crops and species prevents the rapid spread of pests and provides ecological balance that chemical pesticides alone cannot achieve.

5. Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage

Agrobiodiversity conservation is closely linked with the preservation of indigenous and traditional knowledge systems. For generations, farmers have developed strategies to manage varied agroecosystems in ways that adapt successfully to local climates. These knowledge systems remain vital for managing biodiversity today and can be integrated into modern agricultural planning to both boost resilience and safeguard cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to global and national agriculture, particularly for vulnerable nations like Nepal, where farming is heavily reliant on the climate. Food security, farmer livelihoods, and ecological balance are all directly threatened by uneven changes in climatic variables. Agrobiodiversity conservation can be a strategic approach to increase resilience as well as resources. It enhances adaptation by providing a variety of genetic pools of crops, livestock, microbes and traditional varieties that are resilient to climatic challenges. Therefore, agrobiodiversity conservation can be a crucial strategy to build resilience against a changing climate and its impacts.

References

tags :agrobiodiversitybiodiversitylegume cover crops
Tribikram Dahal
Written by Tribikram Dahal
Student

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