Nepal

• Examining the relationship between economic, cultural and environmental factors that shape migration patterns from agricultural communities at a local level, and the impacts of migration itself on the agrarian economy 
• Unpacking the impact of the (re)production of inequality, changing gender and generational roles, labour scarcity on production practices, changes in how resources are managed and the acquisition of agro-ecological knowledge 
• Understanding the activities of state and non-state governance actors who directly influence migration, as well as the practices and policies of actors whose decisions indirectly affect migration governance 

Bhojpur district in the eastern Nepali hills has experienced a significant rise in long-term migration to the Gulf states through labor contracts. The region has seen dramatic socio-economic change in the last decade, with rural monetization brought about by road construction, rising costs of living, and climate stress. This has in part intensified the drive to migrate, yet it has also led to more fragile livelihoods for those who stay behind. There are some emerging opportunities for returnees in cash crop production, yet uptake is dependent upon an individual’s prior economic position and the location of their land within the watershed. 

Dhanusha district in the Tarai-Madhesh experiences significant inequalities in the distribution of land and assets, and rigid caste divisions. Migration has traditionally been to India, but in recent years migration to Gulf states and Malaysia has risen considerably and taken over in importance. Migration has been aggravated by socio-economic and environmental stress, alongside persisting inequalities. The very cost of migration leads many households to incur vast debts.  

Doti district in the far western Nepali hills has a long history of migration to India. This has risen significantly in the last decade and is an increasingly core component of household livelihoods. This district has also experienced the same processes of rural monetization as witnessed in Bhojpur. In this food-insecure and low-rainfall region, few households can subsist on agriculture alone so migration is a key coping strategy. 

In response to Covid-19, many migrants returned home to Nepal, where some faced stigmatization and poor work prospects. Now, given pandemic uncertainties and unclear migration policies, fewer people are migrating. Some migrant workers have been unable to repay loans they took out to cover migration costs, or for land purchases. Local market closures have prevented the sale of goods. The government’s response has included using diplomatic channels to secure jobs for migrants still in destination countries, as well as providing loans to returnee migrants to help them start up new businesses. 

In response to the pandemic, the AGRUMIG team in Nepal has conducted phone surveys with migrant respondents and key informants in Bhojpur, Dhanusha and Doti in June 2020 to understand the impact of Covid-19.