Model-Based Yield Gap Assessment in Nepal’s Diverse Agricultural Landscape

Rice, wheat, maize, millet, and barley are the five major staple cereal crops in Nepal. However, their yields low, imports needed to meet domestic demand. In this study, we quantify gap between current potentially attainable Nepal, estimate how much additional fertilizer irrigation required close gap, assess if self-sufficiency can thus be achieved. For this, first test ability of crop model EPIC reproduce reported 1999–2014 accurately. On average, simulated at national level were same range, but district level, error was large, as resolutions available climate soil input data not high enough depict heterogenic conditions Nepal adequately. main show that average yield gaps amount 3.0 t/ha (wheat), 2.7 (rice), 2.9 (maize), 0.4 (barley), 0.5 (millet). With fertilization, increased by 0.1/2.3 0.4/1.3 1.6/1.9 0.1/0.3 0.1/0.4 (millet), respectively. The results providing reliable affordable access should a priority for closing