Developing Sustainable Mountain Agriculture in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region

摘要

Agriculture is the most important sector in the HKH region. About 60% to 90% of the population is engaged in various agricultural activities, including crop production, animal husbandry, forestry, and horticulture. During recent years, mountain agriculture in most HKH areas has been showing trends of increasing unsustainability due to increased population pressure; declining agricultural productivity; and declining soil, water, and forest resources. The basic issue facing mountain agriculture is lowproductivity of land, which is responsible for widespread poverty in the region. Thus, to reduce poverty, it is essential that the productivity of the mountain agriculture be increased on a sustainable basis.