Cropland abandonment threatens food security in rural Nepal: Understanding the role of long-term and seasonal migration

Cropland abandonment is a growing concern in rural Nepal, with critical implications for food security, land management, and the future of community forestry. This study investigates how different forms of labor outmigration, including long-term and seasonal migration, along with remittances, are associated with household land-use decisions on cropland abandonment. Drawing on household survey data from community forest user groups in two watersheds in Pyuthan and Salyan districts, we apply statistical models to examine cropland abandonment decisions, area, and parcel numbers. Our findings reveal that long-term migrant counts are consistently associated with cropland abandonment, while remittances show weaker, less consistent associations. In contrast, seasonal migration tends to have limited or even countervailing effects. Among abandonment measures, the number of abandoned parcels shows the clearest association with long-term migrant count, suggesting that parcel-level outcomes may better capture management burdens in fragmented smallholder landscapes. Households report labor shortage due to migration, alongside other factors, as one of the leading reasons for cropland abandonment. These results highlight the need for integrated policy responses that consider migration patterns, reduce labor and management burdens in fragmented landscapes, and support context-specific strategies for maintaining cultivation where feasible. Addressing cropland abandonment is essential not only for enhancing rural food security but also for maintaining the ecological and social sustainability of Nepal’s community forestry.