Dr Jagannath Adhikari is a Visiting Fellow at Resource Management in Asia and Pacific Program, The Australian National University. He did his PhD on Human Geography (Agrarian Change, Resource Management) in 1995 from Australian National University and M.Sc., Rural Development in 1987 from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Dr Adhikari taught a course on farm management at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal for three years (1984-86), and at Asian Institute of Technology for six months (1988). From a period of 1995-2012, he taught as guest professor at Institute of Forestry (Pokhara, Nepal), School of Environment and Sustainable Development (Kathmandu, Nepal), Heidelberg University (Germany), Kyoto University (Japan) and Australian National University (Australia). He has advised many Nepali and foreign students doing research on Nepal and has a long experience in the field of agriculture and food security.
Career (posts held)
Visiting Fellow, Resource Management in Asia and Pacific Program, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (May 2012 to until now)
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Asian and African Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (Nov 2011 – Apr 2012)
Livelihood Expert. Swiss Development Corporation, Embassy of Switzerland. Study of mobility and livelihood change in Khotang District, Nepal (Aug 2011 – Oct 2011)
Food and Nutritional Security Consultant.Helen-Keller International/ USAID/ Tufts University (Apr 2011 – Jul 2011)
Chairperson at Nepal Institute of Development Studies (NIDS) and principal researcher, Migration and Development (2007-2010)
Food and Nutritional Security Expert.USAID/Nepal.The task was to study agricultural production and malnutrition in Nepal and suggest ways to improve nutritional status through agricultural production activities. (Jul 2009 – Dec 2009)
Land Policy Expert for Asian Development Bank in its project Strengthening Land Administration Services in Nepal. This also covered Land Use Planning Policy for Nepal. (Jul- Dec 2008)
Food Security Expert, FAO project on ‘inclusion of food security objectives, policies and programs in the interim three years plan (2008-2010) of the Government of Nepal’. (May 2007– Mar 2008)
Research projects or components led
Team Leader.Preparation of Master Plan for Sustainable Development of Mustang and Manang Districts (trans-Himalayan area), Nepal.A project of UNEP, Regional Office, Bangkok, National Planning Commission, Nepal and National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal. (Oct -Dec 2006)
Team Leader, “Study on Access of Indigenous People on Natural Resources and Livelihood Impact in Nepal,” conducted for ActionAid, Nepal and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nepal Office. Duty was to review the policies, laws and regulations in Nepal related to natural resources (forest, water and land) and analyze concerns therein for improving the access of indigenous peoples to their natural resources. (Jan-Feb 2006)
National Consultant, Study “Development of Country Strategy for Engagement in Nepal,” for ‘International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome, Italy’. Responsibilities were to study the existing problems in relation to agriculture and use of resources (including community forestry, leasehold forestry) due to changing context brought about by political conflict and suggest strategies for reducing poverty in Nepal (Jun-Aug 2005)
Counterpart Consultant, World Bank, Nepal. Responsibilities were to suggest ways to increase agricultural production (May 2003)
Researcher.Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. Involved in a research about food security, initially in rural areas (Kaski District, Nepal) and then in urban areas (Kathmandu valley). This research was carried out in association with Professor Hans-George Bohle of Heidelberg University. In 1997, worked at Heidelberg University for three months as visiting fellow (1997–1999)
Publications:
Journal Articles:
Adhikari, J. and Hobley, M. (2015). Everyone is leaving, who will sow our fields’. Impact of migration to Gulf countries and Malaysia in Khotang and Udaypur districts of Nepal. Himalaya. The Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies in US. 35(1), 11-23.
Adhikari, J. (2014). Seed Sovereignty: Analyzing the debate on hybrid seeds and GMOs and bringing about sustainability in agricultural development. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 12(1), 33-46.
Adhikari, J. (2013). Climate change and migration: Some policy options. Trade Insight. 9(3), 9- 11.
Adhikari, J. (2011). Contentions and prospects of land reform in Nepal: A historical review. New Angle – Nepal Journal of Social Science and Public Policy. 1(1), 17-31.
Adhikari, J. (2009). State and forestry resources. A historical analysis of policies affecting forest management in Tarai. Himalaya. 29(1-2), 43-56.
Bohle, H. and Adhikari, J. (1998). Rural livelihoods at risk: How Nepalese farmers cope with food insecurity. Mountain Research and Development. 18(4), 321-332.
Adhikari, J. (2004). Socio-ecological analysis of loss of public properties in an urban environment: A case study of Pokhara, Nepal. Contributions to Nepalese Study. 31(1), 85-114.
Adhikari, J. (2005). The significance of towns in rural development: A case study from western Nepal. Study in Nepali History and Society. 10(2), 295-319.
Adhikari, J. (2003). Living on a tightrope: Adaptive strategies of grassroots development workers in a Maoist-Conflict Area. Studies in Nepali History and Society. 8(2): 369-383.
Adhikari, J. (2003). Environmental justice for sustainable livelihoods. A grassroots perspectives.Journal of Nepal Contemporary Studies. 3 (2), 39-61.
Seddon, D., Adhikari, J. & Gurung, G. (2002). Foreign labour migration and the remittances economy of Nepal. Critical Asian Studies. 34(1), 19-40.
Adhikari, J. (2001). Mobility and agrarian change in central Nepal. Contributions to Nepalese Studies. 28(2), 247-267.
Adhikari, J. (2000). Urbanisation, government policies and social and environmental problems in Pokhara. Studies in Nepali Society and History. 5(1), 43-88.
Adhikari, J. and Bohle, H. (1999). Urbanization, government policies and growing food insecurity in Kathmandu metropolis. Studies in Nepali History and Society. 4(1), 191-246.
Adhikari, J. (1990). Is community forestry a new concept? An analysis of the past and present policies affecting forest management in Nepal. Society and Natural Resources. 3, 257-265.
Books:
Adhikari, J. and Hobley, M. (2012). Every One is Leaving, Who Will Sow the Seeds. A Study of the Impact of Migration to Gulf States and Malaysia on the Livelihoods of Khotang District, Nepal. Swiss Development Corporation/Swiss Embassy, Kathmandu and Nepal Institute of Development Studies.
Adhikari, J. (2014). Under the Shadow of Red Flag: Travel through Nepal’s Maoist Conflict. Martin Chautari.
Adhikari, J. and Seddon, D. (2002). Pokhara: Biography of a Town. Mandala Book Point.
Adhikari, J. (2011). Humla: Food Crisis and Underdevelopment. Kathmandu. Nepal Institute of Development Studies. (Humla is a district located in high mountain adjoining Tibet, and is closely integrated with Tibetan society and culture).
Adhikari, J. (2008). Food Crisis in Karnali. A Historical and Political-economic Perspective. Martin Chautari. (Karnali is a region located in high mountain adjoining Tibet. This region has been suffering from underdevelopment, food crisis and hunger).
Adhikari, J. (2008). Land Reform in Nepal. Problems and Prospects. ACTIONAID and Nepal Institute of Development Studies.
Adhikari, J. (2008). Changing Livelihoods. Essays on Nepal’s development since 1990.Martin Chautari.
Adhikari, J. (2003). Urban Context of Environmental Justice. A Study of Pokhara, Nepal (in Nepali). Martin Chautari.
Adhikari, J. and Seddon, D. (2003). Conflict and Food Security. A Preliminary Analysis. Rural Reconstruction Nepal. (Also published by European Union in its website).
Adhikari, J. (1996). The Beginnings of Agrarian Change: A Case Study in Central Nepal. TM Publication.
Seddon, D., Adhikari, J. & Gurung, G. (2002). The New Lahures: Foreign Employment and Remittances Economy of Nepal. Nepal Institute of Development Studies.
Adhikari, J. Seddon, D., Gurung, G., Bhadra, C. & Niraula, B.P. (2006). Nepali Women and Foreign Labour Migration. UNIFEM (now UNWomen) and Nepal Institute of Development Studies.
Adhikari, J and Bohle, H. (1999). Food Crisis in Nepal. How Mountain Farmers Cope. Adroit Publication.
Adhikari, J. (1999). Decisions for Survival: Farm Management Strategies in the Middle Hills of Nepal. Adroit Publication.
Adhikari, J. (2009). Migration, Security and Livelihoods. A Case of Migration between Nepal and India. Nepal Institute of Development Studies.
Edited Books:
Adhikari, J., Gautam, B. & Basnet, P. (eds) (2004). Debate on Poverty in Nepal (in Nepali). Martin Chautari.
Adhikari, J. and Ghimire, S. (eds) (2002). Environmental Justice: A Reader (in Nepali). Martin Chautari. (2002).
Adhikari, J., Malik, B., Baral, A, & Titikshu, U. (eds) (2007). By the Way. Travels through Nepal’s Conflict. Martin Chautari.
Adhikari, J and Gautam, B. (eds) (2009). Urbanization and Livelihood (in Nepali). Martin Chautari.
Dhungana, H., Ghimire, S. & Adhikari, J. (eds) (2009). Bio-diversity and Livelihood (in Nepali). Martin Chautari.
Edited Journal:___
Guest editor of special issue of ‘Journal of Forest and Livelihood’ (published from Kathmandu) on the theme of ‘sustainable agriculture’ (Volume 12, No. 1, 2014).
Book Chapters and Working Papers:
Adhikari, J. and Deshankar, P. (2015). How Migration into Urban Construction Work Impacts on Rural Households in Nepal. University of Sussex (Working Paper 27).
Adhikari, J. (2007). Urbanisation and social and political changes in Pokhara, Nepal. In: Ishii, H., Gellener, D. & Nawa, K. (eds) Social Dynamics in Northern South Asia Vol.1. Nepalis Inside and Outside Nepal. Manohar. pp. 1-17.
Pain, A., Ojha, H. & Adhikari, J. (2014). Social inequality and food insecurity in Nepal: Risks and responses. In: Pain, A. and Christoplos, I. (eds) New Challenges to Food Security. From Climate Change to Fragile States. Routledge. pp. 221-240.
Dev, O.P. and Adhikari, J. (2009). Community forestry in Nepal hills. Practice and livelihood impacts. In: Springate-Baginski, O. and Blaikie, P. (eds) Forest, People and Power: The political Ecology of Reform in South Asia. Earthscan. pp. 142-176.
Adhikari, J. (2004). Food security in the context of globalization. In: Des Chene, M. and Onta, P.(eds) Social Science Thinking in the Context of Nepal (in Nepali). Social Science Baha. pp. 217- 249.
Adhikari, J. (2005). Globalization, poverty and women foreign migration: A case of Nepal. In: Roy, A and Arya, S. (eds) Poverty, Women and Migration. Sage Publication. pp. 87-106.
Adhikari, J. (2010). Food insecurity, conflict and livelihood threats in Nepal. In Upreti, B.R. and Mueller-Boeker, U. (eds) Livelihood Insecurity and Social Conflict in Nepal. South Asia
Regional Coordination Office of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (North- South). pp.73-130.
Adhikari, J. (2011). Migration, remittances and development in Nepal. In: Kalegama, S (ed)Migration, Remittances and Development in South Asia. Sage. pp. 171-198.
Adhikari, J. (2016). Nepal-Tibet border trade restriction in 1959 and its aftermath: livelihood crisis and its regeneration with reference to food security in Trans-border region of Karnali Zone, Nepal. Onta, P. and Raj, Y. (eds) Rupture and Repair in Nepali History (to be published).
Adhikari, J. (2016). Hindu traditions and peasant farming in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal. In: Le Vasseur, T., Parajuli, P. & Wirzba, N. (eds) Sustainable Agriculture and the World’s Religious Traditions. Kentucky University Press (to be published).
Books under progress:
Adhikari, J. Agrarian Change and Political Development in Nepal (A revised edition of the book already published in mid 1990s based on PhD thesis submitted at the ANU. This book will cover repeat studies conducted in the same region).
Adhikari, J., Seddon, D. & Sunam, R. Old and New Lahures: Foreign Labour Migration and Remittance Economy of Nepal. (This is about history of migration and development in Nepal).
