Examining Small Millet-Based Food and Livelihood Security: A case study of semi-arid mountain communities in Nepal by Rinchu Doma Dukpa A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of MASTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources Natural Resources Institute University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Copyright © 2012 by Rinchu Doma Dukpa THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES ***** COPYRIGHT PERMISSION Examining Small Millet-Based Food and Livelihood Security: A case study of semi-arid mountain communities in Nepal By Rinchu Doma Dukpa A Thesis/Practicum submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Natural Resources Management (M.N.R.M.) © 2012 Permission has been granted to the Library of the University of Manitoba to lend or sell copies of this thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm this thesis and to lend or sell copies of the film, and to University Microfilms Inc. to publish an abstract of this thesis/practicum. This reproduction or copy of this thesis has been made available by authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research, and may only be reproduced and copied as permitted by copyright laws or with express written authorization from the copyright owner. ii ABSTRACT The majority of households in the hill regions of Nepal are net consumers of their agricultural produce. The harsh geographical topography, low landholdings and uncertain weather make households in the hills more susceptible to food insecurity. This research examines the role of small millets in achieving food and livelihood security for the people of Dhikur Pokhari VDC in Nepal. As a project based on qualitative research, data was collected through semi-structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. In addition, market and value chain analysis for small millets was conducted. The findings show that small millets have a significant role in ensuring food security, particularly for the marginalized households. The findings also show that, through their exchange properties, small millets contributed towards generating household livelihoods. Further, findings revealed the existing formal and informal markets for small millets and showed a direct correlation between small millets-based market, and food and livelihood security for the people of Dhikur Pokhari VDC. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “This world is a beautiful place, as long as you can help others” Fr. Gerard Van Walleghem SJ My journey to the University of Manitoba would not have been possible had it not been for the help of three individuals – Fr. Gerard Van Walleghem SJ who believed in me, Dr. Emőke J.E. Szathmáry who inspired me, and Prof. Thomas Henley who guided me. First and foremost, I would like to thank each one of them for their unconditional love, kindness and support. This thesis was a part of the action research project “Revalorizing small millets: Enhancing the food and nutritional security of women and children in rainfed regions of South Asia, using underutilized species” supported by the Canadian International Food and Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) and promoted by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada; hence, I would like to thank both the funding agencies. I would also like to thank the partner organization based in Nepal – Local Initiative for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) for providing me with all the assistance during my fieldwork. My committee consisted of Prof. Thomas Henley and Dr. Derek Johnson from the University of Manitoba, and Dr. Kirit Patel and Dr. Shailesh Shukla from the University of Winnipeg. I am very grateful to all of them for providing me with their invaluable feedbacks and ideas, and also for motivating me to excel. I would also like to thank them all for their patience. In addition, I would like to thank Mr. Kamal Khadka, Mr. Asis Shrestha and Mr. Yowan Sunwar from LI-BIRD for their advice and suggestions, and for always giving me their precious time. ii This thesis would have been incomplete without the enthusiastic participation of the different communities of the Dhikur Pokhari VDC. Their friendship and cooperation acted as a constant motivation for me to give my best. I would like to sincerely thank them not only for their support but also for welcoming me openheartedly into their communities. Binu, Shagun Aunty, Maya Athey, Bathey, Gurung Mama, Tulsi, Sita, Ishwar, Ambika, Sheela, Binod, Puntuli, Beena, and Keti from Dhikur Pokhari, I will always cherish your friendship and the times that we spent together. I also take this opportunity to thank the Neupane family from Pokhara – Uncle, Aunty, Sangeeta and Roshan – for taking care of me, loving me and accepting me as one of their own daughters. Thank you for being so accommodating and all your kind gestures. I also thank Prof. Pranab K. Basu, Prof. Santadas Ghosh, Dr. A John Sinclair, Dr. Milindo Chakrabarti and Fr. Lalit Tirkey for their continued support and guidance over the years. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my two pillars of support at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Manitoba – Mrs. Dalia Naguib and Ms. Tamara Keedwell. You both have made my stay at the NRI so much easier. I thank you for your dedication, friendship and care. Finally, I would like to thank my families – the Dukpas of Bangladara, the Pradhans of Jorebunglow and the Broeskys of Winnipeg – for their presence in my life. Just the thought that I can always count on you all gives me the peace of mind required to pursue my never-ending studies. Your encouragement drives the determination in me to aim for higher goals in life. Last but not the least, Bhaiya, this would not have been possible without you showing me the way. iii DEDICATIONS They say that behind every successful man there is a woman, but in my case it was the opposite. This thesis is dedicated to the following men Baba, for always encouraging me to live my dreams Fr. Van, for being my idol Pro. Henley, for being my Guruji Upen Da, for being my lifelong headache & My Mummy - Uma (The iron lady) iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. ix List of Plates .................................................................................................................................... ix Kodanunai – Kodo Laments ............................................................................................................ xi Glossary of Local Terms Used ........................................................................................................ xii CHAPTER – I: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Markets ...................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Entitlement, endowment and capability ................................................................................... 5 1.4 Women ...................................................................................................................................... 7 1.5 Research context ....................................................................................................................... 9 1.6 Purpose and objectives ............................................................................................................ 11 1.7 Research design ....................................................................................................................... 11 1.8 Research significance ............................................................................................................... 13 1.9 OrganiZation of thesis .............................................................................................................. 16 1.10 Limitations ............................................................................................................................. 17 CHAPTER– II: FOOD SECURITY - ENTITLEMENT, ENDOWMENT AND CAPABILITY 2.1 UnderutiliZed and neglected species ....................................................................................... 18 2.2 Millets ...................................................................................................................................... 19 2.3 Food security ............................................................................................................................ 22 2.4 Entitlement, endowment and capabilities ..............................................................................