Paper short abstract:

This study examines the role of pro-poor policies for rural development in Nepal. It specifically looks at the land reform initiatives that were launched by the government of Nepal and discusses why these policies have failed significantly to alleviate rampant poverty in rural parts.

Paper long abstract:

Considering the existing unequal land distribution, escalating rate of poverty, and the stagnation of agricultural growth in rural areas, this paper argues that land reforms have failed in Nepal. The consideration of land reforms within this study is not a unique approach, but a re-emphasized approach for rural poverty alleviation. The past government policies have not been very effective due to landlords’ exploitation, a gender bias, an urban-focused approach, and elite partiality in rural communities. This paper explored various ways in which these types of discriminatory provisions triggered different social movements in rural areas, and propelled the government to adopt corrective measures. Nevertheless, there appears to be no genuine effort by the major political parties to solve this problem. This research, therefore, analyses the measures that were taken while land reforms were being launched and discusses why they failed to contribute to the landless and marginalized farmers. Similarly, based upon the conditions required for successful land reform, this study investigates whether the Nepalese government has developed adequate agrarian support programs, such as microcredit, improved seed and fertilizer, and irrigation and infrastructure facilities, to increase productivity and to raise the living standards of the rural poor.