Chapter - 4

Agro-ecological zoning and niches from

horticultural perspective and its significance
in Nepal

Dr. Pradeep Raj Rokaya

Assistant Professor

Feb 26, 2019/ June 4, 2021/Apr 17, 2023

 Introduction
• Zone refers a region or area set off as distinct from surrounding or
adjoining parts. Or it also denotes as a sub-division of a biogeographic
region that supports a similar fauna and flora throughout its extent.
• Zoning is a scientific concept and refers to the segregation of a vast mass
of land into a number of zones for a particular purposes.
• Zoning refers process of the division of a whole land into a smaller units
of farmlands by the government for the farming activities in line with
surrounding environmental and geographical condition.
• Zoning divides the area into smaller units based on distribution of soil,
land surface and climate.
• Zoning is the process of splitting areas of land up into sections and
clarifying what each of those sections can be used for.
• An Agro-ecological Zone is a land resource mapping unit, defined in
terms of climate, landform and soils, and/or land cover, and having a
specific range of potentials and constraints for land use. Agro-ecological
zones are geographical areas exhibiting similar climatic conditions that
determine their ability to support agricultural production.
• Agro-ecological Zoning (AEZ) refers to the division of an area of land into
smaller units which have similar characteristics related to land suitability,
potential production and environmental impact.
 Introduction
• Nepal has diverse geography and ranges from about 70 m above
sea level to 8,848 m, the highest peak in the world.
• Topographically, the country can be divided into five roughly
parallel zones from south to north; terai (<300m), the Siwalik
(300-700 m), middle mountain (700-2000 m), the High
Mountain (2000-2500 m), and the High Himal (above 2500 m).
• Others divided as six types of agro ecological belt which are
Terai (70-300 m), the Siwaliks/churiya (300 to 1800 m), The
Mahabharata range (1500-2700 m), the mid-hills and valley
(2000-3000 m), the main Himalayan range (3000-7000 m) and
The trans-Himalayan and Mountains (3000-6000 m).
• In general, Nepal can be divided into three ecological zones,
namely: Terai (plain), Mid-hills and High Mountain. In our
previous documents, terai is for cereals, hills for fruits, and
mountain for livestock development. But nowadays, this
concept is slightly changed.
 From the horticultural points of view, Nepal
can be divided into four agro-ecological zones:
1. Tropical zone
• This zone ranged from 70 to 1000 masl. It has high and hot
temperature throughout the year except some periods in
winter.
• The annual temperature exceeds 240C.
• There is no snowfall.
• The whole terai and lower valleys in the hills fall under this
zone.
• In this zone, mango, banana, papaya, pineapple, litchi,
jackfruit, guava, etc. are some viable fruit crop can be grown.
• Likewise, vegetables okra, eggplant, potato, tomato, chillies,
cauliflowers, cabbage, etc. are some examples.
• Hibiscus, rose, bird of paradise, bougainvillea, jasmine, lily,
gladiolus, gerbera, etc. under the ornaments and flowers are
the plants of tropics.
 2. Sub-tropical zone
• This zone ranged from 1000-1500 masl with an
average temperature of 17-240C.
• This zone is cooler than tropical area but it has
distinct summer and mild frosty winter.
• Lower mid-hills, foot-hills and valleys are falls under
this zone where summer is long and humid.
• Citrus, litchi, pineapple, pomegranate, lapsi, pear,
etc. fall under the sub-tropical fruits.
• Likewise, some vegetables; potato, tomato, beans,
peas, radish, carrot, cauliflowers, cabbage, etc. are
some examples.
• Jacaranda, bird of paradise, bougainvillea, marigold,
chrysanthemum, etc are some examples of
ornaments and flowers.
 3. Mid-temperate zone:

• This zone ranged from 1500-2000 masl where

moderate climate is persisted throughout the year
but winter is not very severe.
• During the winter snowfall may get. Mid-hills,
base of the high hills, and lower range of
Mahabharat range are fall under this zone.
• The average annual temperature is
between10-150C.
• Peach, plum, pear, almond, apricot, persimmon,
chestnut, etc can be grown successfully.
 4. Temperate zone

• This zone ranges from 2000-3000 masl.

• This zone has pronounced winter with frost.
Snow occurs every year.
• The annual temperature is less than 100C and
cold condition is occurred throughout the
year.
• In winter, temperature falls below 00C.
• Apple, pear, walnut, and other stone fruits can
be grown in this zone.
 Niche products and districts
• Large cardamom: Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu,
Okhaldhunga, Bhojpur, Teplejung. etc.
• Tea: Illam, Jhapa,
• Coffee: Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Syangja, etc.
• Mandarin: Syangja, Palpa, Kaski, Parbhat, Tanahun, Lamjung,
Gorkha, Dhading, Kavreplanchowk, Taplejung, Terhathum, etc,
• Junar: Sindhuli, Ramechhap, etc.
• Olive: Bajura, Dolpa, etc.
• Potato: Humla, Kavreplanchowk, Rasuwa, Dolkha, etc.
• Apple: Jumla, Manag, Mustang, etc.
• Vegetable: Dhading, Nuwakot, Kaski, Kathmandu,
Kavreplanchowk, Chitwan, etc.
• Flower: Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, etc.
• Ginger: Nawalparasi, Salyan, Palpa, etc.
 Significance of agro-ecological zoning
• Agro-ecological zones are the main basis for the farming
because it gives us clear idea of suitability regarding the
climate, soils and topographical characteristics.
• Specific programmes such as mango, potato, citrus, floriculture,
landscaping, etc. can then be formulated and launched with the
help of prevailing information given by each agro-ecological
zone.
• Agro-ecological zoning can be used as the basis of a
methodology for land resource appraisal and other research
purposes.
• AEZ comprise the land resource inventory, inventory of land
utilization types and crop requirements, and land suitability
evaluation.
• On the basis of agro-ecological information, further projects
and prediction could be performed.
• Agro-ecological zoning is necessary to make a plan for research
and development as whole and for each zone in particular.
 Economic significance of agro-ecological
zoning

• Production and productivity of the desired crop

can be achieved.
• Off-seasonal production can be produced so
that more income can be retained.
• The niche products can be produced from each
agro-ecological zone.