The agroforestry and intercropping systems are recognized as important options for greenhouse gas mitigation. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impacts of land use change from Orange (O) monoculture to Coffee-Orange (CO) intercropping and Coffee-Forest (CF) agroforest systems, implemented 20 years ago, on soil properties at three different soil depth layers (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm), with a particular focus on microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) levels. Although there were no changes in most of the soil’s physical properties, the soil’s chemical properties varied significantly across different land use types. SOC was higher in CF and CO systems compared to the O system; however, only in the CO system was the SOC incorporated evenly across all depths. Regression analysis showed that, in the CO system, microbial biomass carbon increased significantly, suggesting that these systems are more promising for carbon sequestration. The low pH and phosphorus values in the agroforest system were identified as limiting factors for microbial biomass enhancement. Importantly, the integration of coffee into orange cultivation not only enhances economic benefits but also contributes to long-term carbon sequestration by increasing SOC in deeper soil layers.

Rice is the most important staple crop in Nepal, playing a critical role in both the economy and food security. This study analyzes the trends in rice cultivation, production, imports, and exports from fiscal years 2011/2012 to 2021/2022 and also presents population data from the initial and final years. Over the study period, the area of rice cultivation declined by 0.81% annually, while the production grew by 1.5% per year, and the yield improved at a rate of 1.97% per year. Trend analysis indicated no significant changes in cultivation area or production, but a significant positive trend was observed in the yield. Rice import showed a significant annual increase of 5.61% in price value and 12.80% in quantity, while exports also grew by 1.95% in quantity and 2.39% in value. However, exports remain negligible compared to imports. Nepal's rice self‐sufficiency ratio (SSR) has declined by 1.15% annually, falling from 92.72% in 2011/2012 to 82.01% in 2021/2022 while its import dependency ratio (IDR) has increased by 5.89% annually. These trends suggest that Nepal is becoming increasingly vulnerable in terms of rice food security. Population dynamics based on two census records revealed a notable 14% rise in the foreign population. This situation underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to address the decline in rice self‐sufficiency, labor shortages, and growing import dependency, ensuring sustainable rice production and food security in Nepal.

Nepal has varieties of rice landraces due to its diverse topography and agroecosystems. This study assessed the rice accessions and cultivation practices with challenges faced by local farmers in the mid-hill village named Karamdi, located in Phedikhola-3, Syangja, Gandaki Province, Nepal, based on a questionnaire survey and a focus group discussion. A total of 11 rice accessions, including eight landraces and three improved were found in the study area. The most popular landraces were Pahale, Khole-Jarpani, and Gola. Annual rice production totals about 22.2 tons with a yield of 1.862 t/ha. However, according to the survey 63.83% of households report insufficient rice supply, due to changes in food culture, soil erosion, flooding, manpower shortages, and human-Rhesus macaque conflict. Villagers purchase 47.75 quintals of rice annually at NRs. 343,800. This research provides insights into rice cultivation and the challenges faced by farmers in Nepal's mid-hills.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice enhances drought adaptation but there are limited studies regarding the frequency and amplitude of mycorrhizae colonization in traditional landraces. This study investigates mycorrhizal colonization frequency (FMS) and intensity (IRS) in 12 rice landraces across three agroecological zones (Tarai, Inner-Tarai, Mid-hill) of Far-West Nepal under drought stress. Field experiments exposed landraces to control, intermittent, and complete drought treatments, with soil properties and root colonization analyzed. Results revealed FMS and IRS variations driven by soil composition and genotype. Mid-hill soils (acidic, high organic matter) showed lower FMS but elevated IRS under drought, while neutral pH in Tarai and silt/clay-rich soils supported higher FMS. Sandy soil in Inner-Tarai also promoted FMS. Drought significantly increased IRS, particularly in Anjana and Sauthiyari (Tarai), Chiudi and Shanti (Inner-Tarai), and Chamade and Jhumke (Mid-hill), which exhibited IRS surges of 171–388%. These landraces demonstrated symbiotic resilience, linking mycorrhizal networks to enhanced nutrient/water uptake. Soil organic matter and nutrient levels amplified IRS responses, underscoring fertility’s role in adaptation. FMS ranged from 50 to 100%, and IRS 1.20–19.74%, with intensity being a stronger drought-tolerance indicator than frequency. The study highlights the conservation urgency for these landraces, as traditional varieties decline due to hybrid adoption. Their drought-inducible mycorrhizal symbiosis offers a sustainable strategy for climate-resilient rice production, emphasizing soil–genotype interactions in agroecological adaptation.

The exotic herbaceous plant Tagetes minuta L., native to South America, has been reported as a naturalized species in Nepal. The plant is listed among the invasive species due to its threat to natural communities in many countries, including India and China (countries that neighbor Nepal). Plant characteristics such as small, light, and relatively numerous seeds, rapid seed germination, drought tolerance, and the potential to harm neighboring plants are the characters of this plant that make it invasive. In Nepal, the species is reported from different parts of the country. The weed has been found densely colonized along roadsides and agriculture fields around Tachai village in Manang district, a Trans-Himalayan region in central Nepal. An ecological assessment revealed its significant presence in the field. Local people consider the plant to be detrimental to crops and native species in their locality. Analyses indicate that T. minuta is problematic in the locality. Hence, control and management of this weed are urgent.

Rice landraces represent a reservoir of genetic diversity with potential for enhancing drought tolerance abilities. This study evaluated the morphological and reproductive responses of twelve rice landraces to drought stress from three agro‐ecological regions (low land Tarai, Inner‐Tarai, and Mid‐hill) Nepal. The landraces were grown under the treatments of regular irrigation, intermittent irrigation, and without irrigation by water after seedling establishment in the farmers' field. The traits such as root and shoot length, shoot‐to‐root ratio, panicle length, and yield were measured during harvesting time. The data were analyzed using two‐way analysis of variance, multivariate principal component analysis, and Pearson correlations to know the variations among the landraces and drought treatments across agro‐ecological regions. Trait responses varied significantly among landraces across all regions, whereas treatment effects were not significant in most cases. Traits such as shoot‐to‐root ratio, panicle length, and grain weight showed relative stability across treatments. However, drought reduced tiller number in the rice Anjana and Lalchand, decreased shoot length in Chamade and Ratomarso, and lowered total grains per panicle in Jhini and Shanti. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that variation was primarily associated with the landraces rather than treatment effects, with the first two principal components explaining 49.1%, 48.6%, and 43.9% of total variance in the Mid‐hill, Inner‐Tarai, and Tarai regions, respectively. Yield was positively associated with root length, grain weight, and grains per panicle. Cluster analysis indicated grouping of landraces based on agro‐ecological origin, suggesting adaptation to specific environmental conditions. This study identifies locally adapted landraces with consistent performance across different water treatments and provides candidate material for further evaluation and utilization for drought‐focused breeding programs.