What Factors Influence Cardamom Farmers to Adopt a Range of Climate-resilient Practices?

The hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal create a suitable environment for the cul-tivation of large cardamom, a high-value cash crop with significant global market po-tential. However, climate change poses significant threats to its production and the livelihoods of farmers dependent on this crop. To cope with these challenges, adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices is essential, particularly among smallholder farmers and those in rural communities. However, the extent of their implementation remains largely unknown. We surveyed 158 households in Ilam and Tehrathum districts to assess the adoption intensity of climate-resilient practices among large cardamom farmers, using the Ordered Probit Model. Findings indicate considerable variation in adoption intensity; traditional practices like tillering, weeding, and irrigation saw high adoption, while more innovative, knowledge-intensive methods were less embraced. Factors positively influencing high adoption included education, farmers' group mem-bership, access to labor, and regular extension service contact. Despite the widespread use of traditional practices, the uptake of scientifically recommended methods for climate resilience remained limited. The study recommends policy initiatives focusing on farmer education, enhancing farmer-led institutions, addressing labor shortages, and improving extension services to foster sustainable agricultural practices.