Beyond local knowledge and institutional reach : micronutrient disorders in Hill agriculture

Abstract

Soil deficiencies of micronutrients, especially boron and zinc, have been found in several areas in the Nepalese Hills, and they may be more restricting to agricultural productivity than macronutrients. The mobility of technical solutions in the sense of mineral supplements is dependent on the mobility of knowledge. Local knowledge has not internalized the micronutrient issue. Scientific knowledge on micronutrients is yet imperfect, based on limited research, and affected by lack of information on the quality of chemical fertilizers as well as compost/farmyard manure. The institutional scene related to agricultural extension is complex, and scientific knowledge is hardly reaching the levels in contact with the farmers. The paper attempts to analyze the interface between scientific and local knowledge on micronutrient deficiencies.