Introduction

On the 29th of Shrawan, 2010 BS (August 13, 1953 AD), Agricultural Engineering Unit was established under the Ministry of Agriculture at Singh Durbar Complex with the purpose of developing infrastructures such as farm building, farm road, irrigation facilities, etc. in various newly established farms/stations and agricultural development offices throughout Nepal. The unit was later promoted to section and then to division. With an aim to develop simple and efficient farm tools and implements Agriculture Implement Research and Development Unit was established in 2016 BS at Ranighat, Birgunj. In 2024 BS Minor Irrigation Section was also merged with this section and started its activities on irrigation related trials and studies. Later in 2029 BS, Irrigation Unit, one of the five units of Agricultural Engineering Section was promoted to Farm Irrigation and Water Utilization Division (FIWUD) to carry out development of minor irrigation systems through out the country.

After the establishment of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) in 2048 BS (1991 AD) Agricultural Engineering Division (AED) was mandated to develop appropriate technology in Agricultural Engineering for various agro-ecological zones of the country. In 1994, Agricultural Engineering Division under NARC was designated as National Institute (NI) and Focal Point of Regional Network for Agricultural Machinery (RNAM), later Regional Network for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (RNAEM/Nepal), and now Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM).

Mandate

The division is mandated to develop appropriate technology in Agricultural Engineering for various agro-technological zones of the country in collaboration with Commodity Programs, Disciplinary Divisions, Regional Agricultural Research Stations and Agricultural Research Stations.

Goal

The main goal of this division is to enhance the livelihood/socioeconomic status and ensure equity among the farming community and support agriculture related entrepreneurs in Nepal with the increase in production and productivity in agriculture through the adoption of environment friendly, cost effective, efficient and appropriate agricultural engineering technologies.

Objectives

• Undertake and coordinate research and development activities to generate environment friendly, cost effective, appropriate and drudgery reducing efficient agricultural engineering technologies/management practices in farm power and machinery, irrigation and drainage engineering, soil and water conservation engineering, post harvest engineering, agricultural structures and energy in agriculture
• Coordinate with the Commodity Programs, Regional/Agricultural Research Station (RARS/ARS), Disciplinary Divisions, Government Organizations, NGOs, INGOs and other agencies to conduct multi-disciplinary action research programs in the field of agricultural engineering
• Act as repository center for information on agricultural engineering technologies in Nepal
• Establishing and strengthening the network of related national and international organizations to strengthen agricultural engineering research activities
• Organize/assist to conduct training programs on agricultural engineering technologies for different levels viz., farmers, change agents, extension officers, policy makers etc.
• Support the NARC management for the agricultural engineering services as and when needed

Areas of work

• Farm power and machinery
• On farm water management
• Irrigation and drainage engineering
• Post harvest engineering
• Agricultural structures
• Energy in agriculture
• Soil and water conservation engineering

Achievements/ Technologies recommended

• Reversible mould-board plough
• Zero/minimum tillage technology for wheat, rice and lentil
• Chinese reaper
• Rice weeder
• Pedal paddy thresher for wheat threshing
• Manual corn sheller
• Pedal corn sheller
• Water management technology for early rice, wheat and maize
• Improved rotary quern
• Low-cost solar dryer
• Improved cardamom dryer
• Rice seed dryer
• Plastic house for off-season vegetable cultivation
• Rice husk stove

Ongoing research

• Modification of agricultural implements and machinery like animal drawn zero till seed drill, modular power tiller, jab seeder, millet pearler/thresher, modified seed drill and ridger
• Modification and testing of matching implements for 2-wheel tractors
• Study on irrigation water management in rice, wheat and potato
• Irrigation scheduling in low cost drip system for cauliflower
• Estimation of water requirement of rice and wheat based on 30-years data
• Improved multi-rack solar dryer
• Drying, storage and milling of rice and maize
• Study on pulping, drying and storage of coffee and Lapsi
• Action research and on-farm testing of solar dryer for perishables
• Study on off-season vegetable cultivation in semi-controlled environment
• Study on hailstone mitigation measures for small vegetable growing farmers
• Study on Finger Millet Pearler/Thresher
• Study on Coffee Pulper

Researchers

• Mr. Gautam Buddha Manandhar, Senior Scientist (Agr-Engineering), Chief of Division
• Mr. Ganesh Sah, Senior Scientist (Agr-Engineering)
• Mr. Gopal Pradhan , Senior Scientist (Agr-Engineering)
• Mr. Shreemat Shrestha, Senior Scientist (Agr-Engineering)

Contact Address

National Agricultural Research Institute
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Agricultural Engineering Division
Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
PO Box No. 399 (Lalitpur)
Ph. No. 5521307, 5524351
Fax: 977-1-262500
E-mail: aednarc@wlink.com.np
Website: www.narc.org.np