Framework for effectiveness and resilience of small and medium-scale irrigation systems in Nepal

This policy brief outlines a project funded by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to assist the Government of Nepal in enhancing the climate resilience and effectiveness of small- and medium-scale irrigation systems.

• In Nepal, only 1.3 million hectares of the 2.7 million hectares of agricultural land are equipped with irrigation facilities, with most of these systems being small or medium-scale. Agriculture is a critical economic pillar, contributing approximately 33% of the gross domestic product (GDP), though it remains vulnerable to topography and the monsoon climate.
• Climate change and extreme weather events are causing an annual loss of approximately 0.8% of agricultural GDP. The increasing frequency of droughts and floods suggests that current irrigation management and design may require reconsideration to improve productivity and resilience.
• A project conducted between 2015 and 2016 for CDKN aimed to create a framework for the effectiveness and resilience of small- and medium-scale irrigation. The project's goals included helping the Department of Irrigation and other stakeholders understand climate impacts, improving planning and management methodologies for equitable and resilient irrigation, and assessing policy and institutions.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2017). Framework for effectiveness and resilience of small and medium-scale irrigation systems in Nepal. https://cdkn.org/resource/effectiveness-resilience-small-medium-irrigation-nepal

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Framework for effectiveness and resilience of small and medium-scale irrigation systems in Nepal. 2017. https://cdkn.org/resource/effectiveness-resilience-small-medium-irrigation-nepal.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Framework for effectiveness and resilience of small and medium-scale irrigation systems in Nepal |date=20 June 2017 |url=https://cdkn.org/resource/effectiveness-resilience-small-medium-irrigation-nepal |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2017framework, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Framework for effectiveness and resilience of small and medium-scale irrigation systems in Nepal}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2017}, month = jun, url = {https://cdkn.org/resource/effectiveness-resilience-small-medium-irrigation-nepal}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }