Kanchan Kattel

• Sapkota, Anisha; Atreya, Kishor; Kattel, Kanchan; Lamichhane, Jay Ram & Gartaula, Hom Nath (2026). Factors affecting IPM adoption in Central Himalaya, Nepal: an explanatory sequential approach. International Journal of Pest Management. ISSN 0967-0874. doi: 10.1080/09670874.2026.2688187. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a promising alternative to conventional pesticide use; however, its adoption remains limited. This study focuses on seven IPM practices and identifies factors influencing adoption among IPM-farmer field schools (FFS) farmers, using an explanatory sequential approach. We interviewed 109 IPM-FFS farmers and used probit regression to identify influencing factors. It was subsequently followed by qualitative insights from four key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Results showed that 35% of FFS farmers had adopted none of the seven IPM practices. Farm income (p < 0.01), household food sufficiency (p < 0.05), IPM knowledge (p < 0.05), and perceived IPM benefits (p < 0.01) tend to increase the adoption of IPM practices, whereas crop diversification tends to decrease their adoption (p < 0.05). Qualitative insights observed higher level of awareness of IPM practices among FFS farmers, however, a persistent ethnic and gender disparities existed in access to IPM-FFS training. IPM benefits were uniformly perceived across all social groups. FFS farmers’ concerns on their health and ecological degradation motivated them for adoption.

• Atreya, Kishor; Gartaula, Hom Nath & Kattel, Kanchan (2025). Household seed security: A case of maize and wheat seed systems in the mountains of Nepal. Agricultural Systems. ISSN 0308-521X. 229. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104419. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Context Household seed security enhances agricultural productivity and strengthens climate resilience, yet persistent seed insecurity remains a critical challenge in Nepal despite intervention efforts. Notably, women play a significant role in seed systems across developing countries, yet their contributions are frequently marginalised because of entrenched gender norms and socio-cultural barriers. Objective This study examines seed security among maize and wheat-growing households in Nepal, analysing different social, economic, cultural, and spatial variables. It specifically investigates: (1) the current state of seed security for maize and wheat farmers, (2) the role of gender, ethnicity, geographic location, and other socioeconomic factors in shaping seed security, and (3) variations in these relationships across different seed security levels. Methodology Data were collected from 250 households across two municipalities during October–November 2021. Seed security was evaluated using the FAO's four-dimensional framework (availability, accessibility, varietal suitability, and quality). Gender-based household typologies (male-headed, female-headed, or jointly managed) were determined through Likert-scale assessments. Quantile regression analysis was employed to examine the effects of various contextual factors, including gender and ethnicity, on varying levels of seed security. Results and conclusion This study reveals distinct seed-sourcing patterns in Nepal's mountains: maize depends on formal markets (agrovets), while wheat relies on informal systems (saved seeds/local exchanges). Seed insecurity persists for both crops, shaped by divergent factors. Education and larger landholdings improve wheat seed security, whereas year-round food sufficiency enhances maize seed security. Paradoxically, access to formal market reduces wheat seed security, suggesting trade-offs. Experiences of historical seed insecurity have lasting negative effects, while informal seed saving practices build resilience, particularly at higher seed security levels. Gender analysis highlights women's central role in enhancing seed security, with Dalit households showing disproportionate vulnerability. In conclusion, findings highlight the need for crop-specific, context-sensitive interventions addressing systemic vulnerabilities in Nepal's mountain agri-food systems. Significance This research advances integrated seed sector development by demonstrating the need to recognise pluralistic seed systems and formulate crop-specific seed policies. The findings highlight how gender-inclusive approaches and formal-informal sector synergies can enhance seed security.

• Sapkota, Anisha; Atreya, Kishor; Khanal, Subodh & Kattel, Kanchan (2025). What Factors Influence Farmer's Behavior in Adopting Integrated Pest Management Practices in Mountains of Nepal? AgroEnvironmental Sustainability. ISSN 2583-942X. Full text in Research Archive
• Gartaula, Hom Nath; Atreya, Kishor; Kattel, Kanchan & Rahut, Dil Bahadur (2024). Factors influencing household and women’s dietary diversity in migrant households in central Nepal. PLOS ONE. 19(4). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298022. Full text in Research Archive

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• Daele, Wim Van; Neri, Elena & Kattel, Kanchan (2026). EATWELL open seminar. Full text in Research Archive
• Kattel, Kanchan (2025). Presentation to the Eatwell research assistants on ‘Practical know-hows for 24 HR recall’. Full text in Research Archive
• Kattel, Kanchan; Medin, Anine Christine; Daele, Wim Van & Morseth, Marianne Sandsmark (2025). Compiling a food composition database to support dietary studies in Bhutan using the INDDEX24 application [Poster presentation, P3.134]. doi: https:/openknowledge.fao.org/items/1b642b95-8f85-48d2-80ad-235734fb6e5a. Full text in Research Archive
• Daele, Wim Van & Kattel, Kanchan (2025). Successful completion of the cross-sectional nutrition/microbiome study in Buli, Zhemgang! Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  We are delighted to convey that we have successfully concluded the cross-sectional nutrition/microbiome study in Buli and nearby surroundings where we sampled and interviewed 223 people within the course of one month. Success can be attributed to the fact that the two main researchers in the field have been living within the community for nearly a year before starting this particular part of the study. In this way, our PhD-student Kanchan Kattel and her research collaborator Tshering Tashi have acquired a deeper understanding of local sensibilities, activities, and the context as well as build relations of trust, all of which will generate better data and a culture-sensitive understanding and interpretation of these data. To achieve such an integrated understanding of the entangled microbiosocial nature of food, nutrition and microbiomes within their socio-ecological environment is precisely the main aim of the EATWELL project. Yet, again, achieving this second important milestone has not been a straightforward matter, claiming many logistical, administrative, and scientific decisions as reality struck back in several ways.

• Daele, Wim Van; Wangmo, Neyzang & Kattel, Kanchan (2024). EATWELL: Introducing the longitudinal nutrition/microbiome part of EATWELL in Buli. Full text in Research Archive
• Kattel, Kanchan (2024). Elevator pitch on a PhD project within EATWELL: 'Investigating the Bhutanese Food Plate: Dietary Habits, Nutrient Intake, and Public Health in a Cultural Landscape of Bhutan'. Full text in Research Archive
• Kattel, Kanchan (2024). Presentation of PhD project 'Investigating the Bhutanese Food Plate: Dietary Habits, Nutrient Intake, and Public Health in a Cultural Landscape of Bhutan'. Full text in Research Archive

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