'The Agrineer 2023' is the 7th volume of Agrineer magazine published by NAESS in 2023. It includes articles of advancement in agricultural engineering

The Agrineer 2023 Volume 7 Overview
The Agrineer 2023 Volume 7 is an annual publication of Nepal Agricultural Engineering Student’s Society, Institute of Engineering, Purwanchal campus, Dharan-08, Sunsari, Nepal.

The Agrineer 2023 Volume 7

Initiative for Information

It is an annual publication of Nepal Agricultural Engineering Student’s Society, Institute of Engineering, Purwanchal campus, Dharan-08, Sunsari, Nepal.

Editorial

It is the moment of great pride and happiness to come with the seventh volume of our technical journal entitled "The Agrineer". The idea of publishing a new volume of this journal was a real excitement and courage with small time bound. The Agrineer is not just a compilation of pages; it is a compilation of meaningful pages which carries knowledge about the different topics of agricultural engineering. It includes research articles and informative articles that benefit all of our agricultural engineering students and related professionals. We aim to correct the shortcomings of the sixth volume in this new edition.

Agricultural engineering is a swiftly evolving field that integrates the principles of geological and physical sciences and uses them to solve agricultural and environmental problems. Engineers in these fields design systems and equipment that increase agricultural productivity and food safety. They also manage and conserve soil, water, air, energy, and other agricultural resources. As an agriculture engineering major, you will learn skills of engineering as they relate to agriculture, food production, and resource conservation.

Agricultural engineers apply their knowledge of biological and agricultural systems and engineering to equipment design and assure environmental compatibility of practices used by production agriculture. This includes all activities related to agriculture and horticulture for smooth functioning and efficient increase of food productivity, improvement in agriculture farm machinery, farm structure, rural electrification, biogas, new technology in the design and manufacture of agriculture products, conservation of soil and water are the major jobs handled by agriculture engineers.

We are thankful to all the seniors, Purwanchal Campus Department of Agricultural Engineering, student's union, and campus administration who helped us in every step of our journey for publishing the journal magazine.

Table of Contents

  • Watershed Prioritization of the West Rapti Basin based in Morphometric Parameters Using Geospatial Analysis
  • ✏️Isha Karn1, Ladli Gupta1, Rabin Karki1, Alisha Budhathoki1, Animesh Khadka2

    ABSTRACT
    Prioritization of watershed has picked up significance in watershed management. Morphometric analysis is being commonly applied to prioritize the watershed. The present study makes an effort to organize sub watersheds dependent on morphometric characteristics using GIS techniques in West Raptibasin, located in the Mid-Western region of Nepal. There are nine Sub watersheds under this. Various morphometric parameters namely Bifurcation ratio (Rb), Drainage density (Dd), Stream frequency (Ns), Texture ratio (T), Form factor (Rf), Circularity ratio (Rc), Elongation Ratio (Re), length of overland flow, shape factor (Bs), drainage texture, compactness ratio (Cc) has been determined for each sub-watershed and allotted position on premise of relationship as to arrive at a computed value for final ranking of watershed. The morphometric parameters range between Rb (1.682-2.240), Dd (0.8831.280), Fs (1.047-1.233), T (1.795-5.266), Rf (0.22-0.27), Rc (0.11-0.32), Re (1.061.18), C (0.781-1.132), Lof (0.391-0.566). The very important quantitative watershed aspects such as linear, relief and areal have been taken in consideration, and six morphometric parameters have been selected and used for ranking and prioritizing of subwatersheds. In this regard, lower rapti Subbasin, lundri Subbasin and jhimruk Subbasin have categorized into very high priority, upper Rapti sub-basin has categorized into high priority, siban and dundungad Subbasin into medium priority and Arun and madi Subbasin have categorized into low priority. However, depending upon the weightage of morphometric parameters and mean raster values, lower rapti Subbasin has been ranked into the first priority due to higher drainage density as well as the bifurcation ratio.

    Keywords: GIS, DEM, Morphometric analysis, Subbasin, Priority

  • Determination of the Change Detection in the Land Use/Land Cover by Supervised Image Classification Technique using RS and GIS: A Case Study of Chitwan District
  • ✏️Ram Kumar Adhikari1, Sagar Dhungana1, Sudip Chauhan1, Animesh Khadka2

    ABSTRACT
    Due to the increasing rate of population and unmanaged way of urbanization there arise many problems like degradation of cultivable land, deforestation and poorly maintained marginal land, landslides in Narayanghat-Mugling Highway. These problems can be managed using RS and GIS in which we analyze different land satellite images of the district for past 20 year in a interval of 10 years. After analyzing the land satellite images, we have idea to assess the pattern of changes in population, industrial development, and the area covered by agricultural and vegetation, as well as how these factors interact through time and the consequences on surface water supplies. The project's output aids in educating the public about deforested areas and in the development of the concepts of agroforestry, communal forests and managing related organization to make proper decision. After analysis it was found that between 1992 to 2002, there was a expansion of built up land and grassland from 0.74% to 1.02% and 1.16% to 2.8% followed by barren area from 0.81% to 2.67%, however forest area, crop land and water bodies shows a reduction from 66.8 % to 63.83%, 28.6% to 28.36% and 1.1% to 1.1% aerial coverage. On the other hand, in between 2002 to 2012, water bodies, forest and built up area shows increase in the aerial coverage from 1.1% to 2.7%, 63.83% to 64.9% and 1.02% to 1.6% respectively and there is decrease in cropland, barren land and grassland from 28.36% to 28.1%, 2.67% to 0.91% and 2.8% to 2.17% respectively. And at last in between 2012 to 2022, water bodies, forest and built up area shows increase in the aerial coverage from 2.7% to 4.09%, 64.9% to 67.7% and 1.6% to 3.44% respectively and there is decrease in cropland, barren land and grassland from 28.1% to 23.24%, 0.91% to 0.078% and 2.17% to 1.34% respectively The major possible driving forces for these changes were natural factors such as mostly flat slope, drought and climate change. The possible human driving factors include population growth and density, over intensification of land use, farm size, land tenure status, and policies on land use. These factors results in various forces and strong effect to change the quantity and quality of land.

    Keywords: Urbanization, Satellite images, RS, GIS

  • Renewable Energy Development in Nepal: Potential, Policies and Challenges
  • ✏️Roshan Kumar Chhetri1*, Aatiz Ghimire2

    ABSTRACT
    This research article provides a comprehensive analysis of the renewable energy sector in Nepal, focusing on its potential, policies, and challenges. The study explores the current energy landscape in Nepal, highlighting the dominance of hydropower and the untapped potential of solar, wind, biomass, micro-hydro, and geothermal energy sources. It examines various strategic plans and policies that aim to promote renewable energy in the country and achieve sustainable development goals. Additionally, the article identifies the challenges hindering the growth of renewable energy, including outdated technologies, limited access to finance, ambiguous policies, and inadequate infrastructure. Finally, the article proposes strategic recommendations for advancing renewable energy development in Nepal, including leveraging climate and energy funds, strengthening donor relationships, fostering publicprivate partnerships, collaborating with local governments, and promoting e-cooking initiatives.

  • Managerial Aspects of Irrigation Systems in Nepal
  • ✏️Dharma Raj Bagale1, Iswar Nath Pakwan2

    ABSTRACT
    A review is carried out based on the available literatures and reports about the managerial aspects of irrigation systems in Nepal. Attempts are made to generalize the findings from different previously studied published and unpublished reports. From this review, it is concluded that Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems (FMIS) and Jointly Management Irrigation Systems (JMIS) cover the larger portion of irrigated agricultural land of Nepal. Similarly, Agency Managed Irrigation Systems (AMIS) are under the process of management transfer. Although the discourse of intervening private management in irrigation systems are underway, they have not taken any shape.

  • Design of an Integrated Livestock Farming System
  • ✏️Prasanna Sapkota1, Shrijana Lamichhane2, Dharmendra Mahato3, Santosh Pokhrel4

    ABSTRACT
    Integrated farming (mixed farming) is a system with simultaneous activities involving crops and animals. The main purpose of integrated farming is so that the farming components support one another; hence, reducing external inputs. For instance, the crop can provide animal feed/fodder for the livestock, and the livestock as fertilizer (manure) for the crop. Some livestock can also act as weed control by foraging in the weeds. Because of reformist contracting of ranch holding to acquire the greatest yield appropriation of the blended cultivating framework with domesticated animals and fish become mainstream in the country's wetland and watershed spaces. The result use of one sub-framework for example excreta of animals turns into a contribution to a second sub-framework for example in fish culture. The study involves the detailed design and layout of integrated farm components and the estimation. The result obtained from the study was found to be satisfactory in terms of economic and management analysis. Here, the Fish cum duck cum swine cum cattle cum poultry system is primarily focused. This project presents the study and design plan of the various components which can be integrated to achieve the best performance.

    Keywords: Integrated Farming System; Fish Pond; Swine House; Poultry

  • Detailed Feasibility Study and Agri-Economic Analysis of Bhabar Lift Irrigation Project, Dadheldhura
  • ✏️Roshan Pandey1, Rupesh Acharya2, Er. Rupesh Acharya1, Er. Ramesh Regmi2

    ABSTRACT
    Bhabar Lift Irrigation Project has been proposed based on the genuine demand of farmers who have agreed to comply with the Irrigation Policy/procedures throughout the sub-project development process and operation and maintenance after completion. The project has a gross command area of 30 Ha, with a net command area of 25 Ha. Water is pumped from the intake to the tank at the head of 80 m through a proposed 80 mm dia GI pipe to deliver water from the well to the reservoir. The project aims to benefit 122 households with a population of 800 people, by providing them with a consistent water supply. Currently, agriculture practices in the area are completely dependent on rainwater and the present cropping intensity is 130%, with maize and pulses being the major crops. However, after the completion of the project, the future cropping intensity is expected to reach 232%. The proposed development plan includes an intake, pipeline works, reservoir tank, and electrical pumping system installation with a total cost of Rs. 15,136,000.00. Farmers have been extensively consulted and involved in the development of the project plan, with their active participation being a vital aspect. Comprehensive economic analysis shows that the project is technically feasible, environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, and economically viable, with an EIRR of 19.91% and a B/C ratio of 1.91 and 1.66, respectively. Overall, the feasibility study concludes that the project should be implemented, and the farmers are enthusiastic about its potential success. Further training in areas such as O and M, water management, and leadership development will be essential to ensure that farmers can take full advantage of the project's benefits.

    Keywords: Cropping Intensity, EIRR, Reservoir, Pump

  • Implementation of Greenhouses on High Hills of Nepal: A Case Study of Jiri, Dolakha
  • ✏️Er. Rupesh Acharya1, Er. Ramesh Regmi2

    ABSTRACT
    This research paper focuses on implementing greenhouses in the high hills of Jiri, Dolakha, Nepal, to address agricultural production challenges and promote sustainable practices for enhanced food security. The study explores the feasibility of greenhouse technology in adverse climatic conditions, considering the characteristics of steep slopes and limited arable land in hill and mountain ecosystems. Jiri, located at an altitude of 1905 meters, experiences temperatures ranging from 3°C to 25°C and receives significant rainfall, with July recording 779.72mm. The research aims to identify suitable greenhouse types, evaluate existing ones, optimize resource utilization, and propose specific requirements for greenhouse implementation in Jiri. Through a systematic methodology involving greenhouse analysis, soil sampling, and thorough assessment of hydrological and meteorological conditions, the research addresses challenges such as low temperatures, winter dysfunction, snowfall damage, and excessive surface runoff. A High Tech Polycarbonate greenhouse is recommended for its durability, offering 200 times the strength of traditional structures, individual panel replacement, and optimal light diffusion. The proposed design includes essential features for greenhouse implementation, contributing to sustainable agriculture in high hills, overcoming challenges, and providing valuable insights for similar geographical contexts.

    Keywords: Adverse Climatic Condition, Winter Dysfunction, Snowfall, Polycarbonate Greenhouse, Durability

  • Socio-Economic Impact Study of Sheshnarayan Dakshinkali Irrigation SubProject, Dakshinkali, Kathmandu
  • ✏️Sajit Raj Karki1, Samjhana Bhetwal2, Kasam Timsina3

    ABSTRACT
    This article presents an impact study that assesses the effects of the Shesnarayan Dakshinkali Irrigation Sub-Project on the local community and environment. The study aims to analyze changes in crop yields, crop diversity, and income levels for farmers, as well as changes in water availability and water quality. Additionally, the sustainability of the project is evaluated, focusing on its ability to provide long-term benefits to the community beyond the project's funding period. The study incorporates an assessment of the maintenance and management of the irrigation infrastructure, as well as the extent of community participation in the project's planning and implementation. Furthermore, the research explores indirect effects, including their potential impact on the local economy, such as the creation of new jobs or business opportunities. To gather comprehensive data, a combination of surveys, interviews, and field observations was conducted, ensuring the inclusion of both quantitative and qualitative information. The study's findings are expected to make significant contributions to the sustainable development of the irrigation sector in Nepal.

    Keywords: Crop Yields, Crop Diversity, Water Quality, Sustainable Development

  • Digital Twin Concept and It’s Applicability in Agriculture
  • ✏️The Agrineer Team1

    ABSTRACT
    No abstract

    Keywords: No keywords

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