Aniiiisha

Sunday, November 7, 2021

A home with a baby is the home for the baby.

This newborn is just four months old. She just woke up from a short nap to find herself in the warmth of her mother’s lap, in front of the fire. Her mother knows that she likes this hour of the day, particularly, and the warmth of the fire, so she compromises every other work accordingly. Her Hajurama sets up the fire every day at that particular time. There’s a separate chulo for the baby. The other two chulos are being used, one for making tea and another for making soup to the mom. It's 3 0’clock in the afternoon. The extra chulo was added with the news of the pregnancy of her mom. This is her mamaghar and she is the eldest of a new generation. They also added four hens and two goats along with a lactating buffalo after the news. In Nepal, after few weeks of the delivery of the child, the mother is taken to her maitighar to stay for a few months until she gets strong enough again. The baby seems to be in peace now, but earlier this day, she was crying a lot. Her Hajurama brought some locally available herbs from the nearby forest where she goes daily for collecting firewood. She hopes the baby’s cry to be because of stomach aches. But she is worried. The other day, the baby was visited by some neighbors and she suspects that a lady might have spelled evil spirit to her granddaughter. Her grandpa is back milking the buffalo. He has a bucket full of milk.

A home with a baby is a home for the baby.

It’s the small life that has just come to existence around whom the whole house will take a

round.

Talking broadly, to come to this point, socially, humans have crawled a long distance. The time that takes for a baby to grow up slowly is taken as an evolutionary trade-off for having highly developed brains. As the baby grows, she is supposed to manage complex reasoning, communication, and social interaction.

I’m 23, raised in a similar way this little girl is being raised, but still not being able to work for myself. Many of us are. I pity me. I pity us, sometimes. Don't you?

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Harvest the Potatoes! Alarm

Anisha Sapkota 1:17 AM 2 Comments

Those were wrap up-wrap up, pack up-pack up days. And as always, I was late! It was harvest time for the potatoes that I had planted three months earlier at Bhakundey, Baglung for my LEE research work. For those who didn’t understand what I just wrote, just know that I had to harvest potatoes anyhow otherwise my college degree would be a suicide note.

We lived at Baglung Bazar and my field site was at Bhakundey, a one and half hour uphill climb in a Jeep. With huffel-puffle, I called a driver dai who introduced me to another driver dai who further contacted another guy and fixed two seats for me and my internmate, Aarati. And FYI, drivers of Baglung are the most versatile people whom you will ever meet. They will know about you in two minutes of small chit-chats. Tell their love story in the next minute, then start flirting with you, if time favours. They can tickle you to death with humor. Answer phone calls with the forever statement - ‘will be there in five minutes’. Hubba-hubba, a fantastic multitasker driving in the bumpy-sliding monsoon pathways and still able to drop you at the exact house of exact location no matter how confused you are with where to stop. Presumably, we were known as ‘Dui jana ghumantey thiti haru’ - ‘two girls who travel a lot’ among the Baglungey drivers, by the end of our intertime.

It was Ashar and the monsoon was at its peak. There were several landslides on the way to Bhakundey, so it wasn’t certain if we could reach there anytime soon. To top it off, there was a lockdown in Baglung because of increasing corona cases. We were supposed to be picked up by 12 PM that day, but the five minutes of ‘will be there in five minutes’ made us wait till 5 PM of the next day!

It was a double cab Mahendra bolero with 7 people seat. Ironically, the driver managed to cram 13 of us in those seats along with 2 people on the roof and kilos of ration in the cargo space. I was in the driver’s cab against the door with a buttock on the seat and another buttock in an existential crisis . The sleepless past nights for assignment submission, the fear that the door would open and I would fall off, the slippery bumpy road, the rhythmic jolts to the sides and the fear of corona, all engulfed me. A dialogue by Hansa in Khicchidi movie ‘jab musibat aati hai toh ek sath aati hai baisab’ was playing in repeat mode around my head. On a normal day, Bhakundey is 1 hr and 30 minutes uphill drive from Baglung Bazar but we were doubtful if it could take us there anytime that day. Many times we had to get out of the jeep so that it could cross puddles and streams. And everytime the jeeps were crossing the puddles, local children would come and gather to see. The driver asked a group of children to put stones in the puddles and earn money from passing drivers - “Timi haru sab le paisa kamauni kam garna paryo, dhunga bokera lyayera yo hilo bato ma halney, ani jo driver yo bato katxa, teslai paisa magney” to the children. The children giggled as a reply.

Another jeep overtook us in the meantime as if it were an ambulance with a dying patient but got stuck in a puddle just a few minutes later. The way was one-way, so we got stuck too. By that time, it was already dark and had started drizzling again. The driver did a biswas ghat- betrayed us and left us to go in another jeep heading in the same direction. The other jeep had 8 local magars who smelled like fermented rice. They said that they were going to meet Jhakri and left us midway. I caught a deep breath after getting out of the jeep as the jeep was full of a mixture of sweat, jaad - alcohol and creepy side looks from the eye corner of each passenger. It was pitch dark outside. Raining cats and dogs. Houses were nowhere in sight and now we couldn’t think on what to do next. Hansa’s dialogue increased its volume now. We lit our mobile light, opened an umbrella (thank god Aarati had brought one) and started walking uphill hopelessly as it was the only option left.

Thank god, one jeep came. It was the same stuck jeep. We waved and it stopped for us. There were already 16 passengers this time. One of the passengers sat on the other and made space for us. Again with the other buttock in existential crisis and the same dilemma of the opening door and me falling out, this time with added responsibility to be a seat to Aarti, I sat there to listen to the driver’s love story for the second time this day. It took us to the Home Stay. Uncle from home stay came to receive us. The surrounding was misty, we couldn't even see 20cm ahead with a torch. We followed uncle. We ate food and went to bed, the bed was full of earwigs running everywhere. We had to stay in the Uncle’s son's room, Vai wasn’t home.

It was a long day for us so we slept in one go. I was worried about tomorrow's plan. We had to complete our work by 8 AM tomorrow to return that day. We had planned to wake up at 5 AM and be in the research field, harvest potatoes, take data and catch an 8 AM jeep. The most irritating thing about Hills is that you have to shape your time according to the transport route. In a day 4 jeep climbs down the hill to Baglung bazar at around 8 AM and returns home by 5 pm with more or less the same passenger.

The next day, we woke up at 6. It was heavily raining and still misty. After changing our plans for like 10 times, we agreed to be in the field by 10 AM, harvest only the sample potato plants, pack them in bags, reserve a jeep and return to Baglung bazar by 4. As per plan, we headed to the field, it was still raining, we convinced some farmer to help us, harvested potatoes wearing a plastic raincoat and packed the sample in bags. It was 2 PM when we completed our work and to annoy us, the rain stopped just after we completed.

We called the driver to pick us from the field.

While returning, it was a calm feeling. Like a peace after a storm. Just two of us were in the jeep as passenger and ‘malai yo jindagi le kaha puryayo’ song in the background. I felt strong but dumb that day, seeing all the choices I made in the trip. I realized that I had to pay Rs. 4500 to the driver for taking us to Baglung Bazar. The irony here is the potatoes that we planted in 1 kattha land 3 months back only cost Rs. 3000 but it took us Rs. 4500 for us to take those potatoes to Baglung Bazar. The fertilizers, irrigation, labor plus the 3 month time yielded us Rs.3000 while the driver was taking away Rs.4500 for dropping us to our room in just 2 hours.

With this, I was forced to realize the power of money. Honestly speaking, if I had reserved a jeep to go to Bhakundey from Baglung a day earlier, and paid extra charges to the farmers, we wouldn’t have had to go to the field either. No rain-work. No convincing. No dilemmas. A happy trip. But with little learning.

While returning, the children were putting stones in puddles. The driver didn’t pay them but we both passed a thumbs up with big smile to all the children.

That day we reached our room by 5 PM, We were all hilo hilo- muddy. Neighbour came to see us as if we had came home winning gold medal in the Olympics ( for us it was a win though). We bathed. Cooked good food. Ate. Graded the potatoes wrt its weight and counted its number in each grade. Noted down the data for my research. It was 11PM when we went to bed. The next day was going to be more busier than today so I slept without even needing a film to fall asleep.

On the way to Bhakundey from Baglung Bazar

A photo with auntie of Home-Stay.

We two harvesting potatoes in rain.

Late night grading of potatoes.

Thank you Aarati for always being there for me. You are the best friend that anyone can get. Kudos to our time during intership. I miss you.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Agriculture Genetic Resource at Baglung

Anisha Sapkota 6:19 PM 1 Comments

Agriculture genetic resources are any genetic material of actual or potential value for food and agriculture. Agriculture genetic resources include all cultivated plant landraces and varieties, modern varieties, obsolete varieties, breeding lines, recombinant inbred lines (RILs), genetic stocks, near-isogenic lines (NILs), differential lines, exotic genetic resources, wild edible plants, and wild relatives of crops. It also includes reared animals that provide food, wool, and other products. Nepal is richly endowed with numerous agricultural crops and plants. The variation in altitudinal, topographical and aspects has made agricultural biodiversity possible. Comprising less than 0.1% of the earth’s land area, Nepal is home to about 600 species of food plants, 400 species of agro-horticultural crops, 60 species of wild edible fruits, 200 species of commercially important medicinal and aromatic plants, 300 species of orchids, 5000 species of insects, 185 species of fishes, and a variety of other economically and ecologically important species. About 21% (3.2 million hectares) of the total land area of Nepal is used for cultivation. Crops such as rice, beans, egg plant, buckwheat, soyabean, foxtail millet, citrus, and mango have high genetic diversity relative to other food crops. Agriculture genetic resources play a vital role in the national economy and food security, as more than three-quarters of the country’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Baglung District, a part of Gandaki Province, is a hilly district where most of the population are settled on the sides of the rivers. It covers an area of 1,784 km2 (689 sq mi) and has a population (2011) of 268,613. Fertile plains situated on either side of the rivers are used for farming. Headquarters of Baglung District is Baglung Municipality which is located on a plateau overlooking the holy - Kali Gandaki. Baglung is rich in herbal medicinal plants. Baglung enjoys warm summers and mild winters. Annual average tempersture range from a maximum of 26 degree celcius to a minimum of 19 degree celcius. Highest temperature at the lowest elevation of Baglung, Kharbang rises up to about 37.5 degrees Celsius in summer and the lowest temperature at Dhorpatan falls up to about −15 degrees Celsius in winter. The elevation of Baglung varies from about 650 meters at Kharbang to about 4,300 meters in Dhorpatan. The average annual rainfall recorded is 1060.9 ml. Rainfall is heavily affected by the monsoon and most of it occurs during the months of June through September. Rest of the year is mostly dry and sunny. Due to large topographic variation climate ranging from hot subtropical to temperate montage climate can be experienced within its limits.

Rice, maize, millet, wheat and potato are the major crops of Baglung.A case study carried out in Paiyunpata, Baglung-13 revealed that 19 landraces of rice in terms of qualitative characters are present in the study area alone. 12 landraces of wheat are reported from Baglung and conserved at Khumaltar, Kathmandu. Gahun and Bhagere gahun are two maong landraces of wheat reported from Baglung. Thulo (large White), Nano (Small white) and Maradi (Yellow) are the local varieties of maize grown in Baglung while Manakamana variety of maize is popular among the commercial farmers of Baglung. Baglung has the largest area and production of finger millet in Nepal. Different programs are conducted at different levels to conserve the indegenous germplasm that Baglung possesses. Potatoes are grown by almost all households. Local varieties such as Dhorpatan locan, Burtibang local etc are popular among the farmers. Cardinal variety, Khumal seto, Khumal rato etc are also cultivated here. Bhango is mixed cropped with potatoes, millet and maize. We can see three times cropping system in lower region of Baglung while two times and even one crop system is reported from higher altitude.

Winter Vegetables like rayo (Brassica juncia), radish (Raphanus sativus), bean (Dolichos lab lab) and summer vegetables like Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica), Snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina), Bitter gourd (momordica charantia), Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), Common bean (Phaseolus spps.), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), Chilli (Capsicum annuum), Brinjal (Solanum melongena), Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) are cultivated both at local and commercial level. Vegetables such as bottle gourd, chilli, tomato, cowpeas etc. have a large varietal diversity in the area. However, the genetic basis of such a diversity is yet to be proved. Many times it is difficult to give a discrete identification to a particular landrace due to the presence of several intermediate forms resulting from free outcrossing in case of cross-pollinated species. It is likely that a landrace known by the same name in different areas (e.g. Jarivo Lamo sponge gourd) may be genetically different. It might also be that landraces known by different names in different areas are genetically the same. This is an inherent problem while dealing with indigenous knowledge system. The issue is understandable as farmers make distinction between two varieties on the basis of few obvious morphological traits without having much idea of the difference in genetic level. Therefore, at some point it would be necessary to validate farmers' information with scientific knowledge

A study that was carried out at Dihi Gaun, Baglung, to understand the reasons for growing different landraces of a vegetable species at household level reported that growing different landraces of the same crop was not intentional. Farmers use seeds from the most preferred plant as is common in other food crops such as maize, leguminous crops etc. But to the surprise of the farmers, the resulting plants from the same seed source become variable in cross-pollinated species. While farmers at Khari Kuna, Baglung, reported that some farmers do not make conscious efforts to select and preserve the seed for the following season, instead use the seeds obtained from different sources and plant in the home garden. As a result, diversity is created and maintained in the home garden. However, the resulting biodiversity does not seem to be the legitimate effect of conscious effort of the farming communities. Given the fact, the biodiversity reported on selected vegetables is quite fragile as any relatively profitable opportunity could easily erode it at any time. Without farmers being aware of the existing biodiversity and their importance for present and future generations, whatever the level of diversity it could be easily eroded. Therefore, a concerted effort by international and national institutions to raise awareness on the issue is a prerequisite for any long-term program on biodiversity conservation and utilization.

Major fruits that are reported to be present in Baglung are mandarin, peach, plum,banana, apple, citrus and mango. Litchi is also cultivated in Baglung. Pokhara local, Tanahu local, Kalika local and Gorkha local are the varieties of litchi grown here. Mandarine cultivation is done from the elevation of 1200m to 1400m in commercial level. Kiwi farming ( Hayward variety) and walnut (Thin shell) farming is being encouraged among the farmers of baglung. Cardamom farming has just been started as it benefits the farmers with high profit. Tea and coffee gardening has just begun to catch the eyes of farmers of Baglung.

Poultry farming and goat farming are done by the farmers of Baglung and it is reported that cows and buffalo are reared in their ward. Buffalo farming and goat rearing has reached commercial level but poultry is reared mostly for household purposes. Oxes are kept for agricultural purposes. Local breeds of chicken such as Ghatikhuile, pwakh ultey, Kadaknath etc are found. Local breeds of buffaloes are kept while cows aren’t that popular in Baglung. Bee keeping is common among the farmers.

Due to climatic and topographic diversity, Baglung is also rich in floral diversity. Five types of forest are found in Baglung; subtropical evergreen, deciduous, coniferous, high temperate and cold desert type of forest vegetation. Major timber species are sal, khayar, champ, chilaune, utis, phalat, dhupi, gobre salla, khote salla, thingre salla, okhar, etc. Major fodder species are jamun, kutmiro, painyu, dudhilo, nimaro, syalphusre, khasru, koiralo, bhimal, ipil ipil, chuletro, bamboo, etc. Major NTFPs reported in Baglung are lauth salla, chiraito, lokta, argeli, kurilo, jyau, asare, jatamasi, pakhanbed, bel, thulo okhati, pine resin, sugandhawal, amriso, majitho, ban karela, nagbeli, machino, sunakhari, etc.

The mountains and hills of Baglung are alive with abundant genera of rhododendron and other beautiful wildflowers with few Lithophytes.

Baglung is indeed endowed with an incredible variety of orchids. Dendrobium is the largest species, followed by Habenaria and Bulbophyllum. Anthogonium, Hemipilia and Lusia are some of the other varieties amongst the nearly two dozen single species families.

Mid-hill diversity on birds, mammals, insects and other vertebrates and invertebrates are noteworthy.. Mammals include leopard, spotted deer, barking deer, musk deer, jungle cat, fox, monkey, jackal, bear, wild boar etc. Bird include peacock, parrot, parakeet, common myna, drongo, common pheasant, blood pheasant, kalij pheasant, jungle fowl, robin dayal, bulbul, eagle, vulture, owl, sparrow, sallow, swift, etc. many agricultural pest like Tuta absoluta, helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera litura, Citrus fruit fly, Red ants etc are causing significant damage to the crops.

Increased human population pressure, poverty, land degradation, environmental change, introduction of modern cultivars and national policy have contributed to the erosion of agricultural genetic resources in Baglung. Many landraces are being lost and many of them are still under threat and many endangered rare and endemic species should get due attention for effective conservation. The present need of the policy maker is to give due consideration towards the collection, documentation, preservation, evaluation, maintenance, multiplication and utilization of this wild but precious wealth. Loss of genetic diversity is the common threat to the sustainable use of agricultural genetic resources to meet the present needs and aspirations of future generation.