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INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.1.1 Polymer

A polymer is a large moleculeor a macromoleculewhich essentially is a combination

of many subunits and polymer (Greek word poly "many" + mer, "Part") i.e.' many
part '[1].

A polymer is also defined as a substance which has a molecule structure built up

chiefly or completely from a large number of similar unit bounded together is called
polymer. Polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecule together in a
chemical reaction to from polymer chain or threedimensional networks. It is the
chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and
consisting essentially of repeating structural unit. For example; many synthetic
organic materials used as plastics and resins. Polymer may be naturally found in
plants and animal (Natural Polymers) and manmade (Synthetic Polymer). The
synthetic polymer such as plastics and elastomers. Different Polymers have number of
unique physical and chemical properties due to they find used in everyday life.
Polymer used every areas of agriculture like in greenhouse in agricultural farm, In
horticulture farm, in water supply, In fertilization system etc. The biodegradable
polymer is most important polymer in agriculture.

The rapidly increase in demand for the manufactured produce the new materials.
These new materials are polymers and their impact on the present way of life almost
in calculable. Products made from polymers are all around us. Clothing made from
synthetic fibers, polyethylene cups, Fiberglass, nylon bearing, plastics bags, polymer-
based paints, epoxy glue, polyurethane foam cushion, silicone heart values and Teflon
- coated cookware [2].

It is a very vital and onenot imagine the life without it. Polymers,a large class of
materials, consist of many small molecules name ofmonomers that are linked together
to form long chains and are used in a lot of products and goods that we used in daily
life [3].

Polymers are important part of everything life. The various possible routes to
eliminate polymeric wastes, biodegradation and bio- recycling viabio-assimilation are
regarded as attractive solutions for environmental protection. Biodegradable polymers
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(BPs) have increasingly been used as plastics substitutes for several applications in
the agriculture field [4-6]. BPs disposed in bioactive environments; degrade by the
enzymatic action ofmicroorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae and their
polymer chains may also be broken down by non- enzymatic process such as
chemical hydrolysis. The properties of natural polymers do not fit need specific
applications and blending with synthetic polymers is a route largely used to gain the
desired properties [7-8].

1.1.2 Agriculture

Agriculture is a practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key
development in the rise of sedentary human civilization where by farming of
domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities [9].

Agriculture represents one of the most important contributors to good health

environmental pollution, sufficient nutrition and economic development [10]. Initially
the driving force for agricultural development worldwide was to increase the
productivity per unit area of land was of crop production and achieved through
extensive use of fertilizers and pesticide the exploitation of natural resources such as
soil and water [11]. The global agriculture are then need to control the delivery of
agrochemicals and to crop with soil degradation water pollution climate change and
ever- evolving plant pathogens and disease [12]. The major agricultural products can
be broadly grouped in to foods, fruits fuels and raw materials (such as rubber). Food
classes include cereals (grains, vegetables fruits, oils, meat, milk, fungi and eggs).
Modern agronomy plant breeding, agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers and
technological developments have sharply increased crop yields causewide spread
ecological and environmental damage .

1.1.2.1 Agricultural Status of Nepal

Nepal is small land luck country situated in between India and China. Nepal is an
agricultural country having 66 percent people directly engaged in farming
agricultural is the backbone of national economy ,mean of live-hood for majority of
population main sources of GDP ,income and employment opportunities in Nepal
.The agriculture contributes to about 37.7% to national GDP and provides part and
full time employment opportunities to 37.9% of its population (MoF, 2011 & NLFS,
2008).The average land size, un-availability of the other employment opportunities

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in the country ,majority of farmers in the country are compelled to adopt subsistence
agriculture [13&14].

Nepal is richly endowed with agro-biodiversity rice, maize, millet, wheat, barley and
buck wheat are major staple food crops. Similarly, oilseeds, potato, tobacco,
sugarcane, just and cotton are important cash crops whereas lentil, gram, pigeon pea,
black-gram, horse-gram and soybean are also pulse crops live stock is one of the
important sources of cash income of from are mainly met through the sale of milk
,yoghurt, cheese, ghee, chhurpi, meat, egg and live animals and poultry .Generally
farm families in mountains raise yak or chauri (Himalayan breed of cow) and sheep,
in hills cow ,sheep ,goat and rural poultry and in poultry husbandry is emerging
enterprise in terai and hills. Human and animal labors are major sources of farm
power .and Nepal grows a numbers of fruit and vegetables crops some important ones
are apple ,peach, pear, plum, walnut, orange, lime lemon ,mango, lichi ,banana,
pineapple, papaya, cucumber ,lady's finger ,brinjal, pumpkin ,several leafy vegetables
also fresh water fish culture is another emerging enterprise in terai whereas rainbow
trout in the hills and in the lower mountains.

1.1.2.2 Agricultural Status of Karnali Province

Execute Karnali is the largest province in area among the seven provinces of Nepal.
Thoseprovince is surrounded by Gandaki province in east, Lumbini Province in south-
east, Sudur pashchim province in the West and Tibet Autonomous region of China in
north. However, only 11.85% of the total area of this remote province is cultivated.

Data formed/ compiled by ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Co-

operative. Karnali province shows farming is done only 75.50% of arable land.
22.90% of arable land. This means large swathe of farm land in the area is depended
on rain water. It is only the reasons behinds low productivity of agriculture in the
province.

A recent data of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) shown harvest of 77.50% of household in
the province is not sufficient even to feed them of the 10 districts of province Rukum,
Salyan, Surkhet are in a food surplus situation only. Remaining seven districts
Dailekh, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Dolpa, Humla, Mugu and Jumla are food deficit [15].

Karnali province has comparatively advantages niche products such as Marshi- red
rice or organic fruit and vegetable, cereal seeds, organic honey, goat and dairy

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products and MAPs products which high commercial values. However, value chain
integration process is weak, abrupt and unsustainable through several efforts have
been done in the past through various development initiativesed by the GON,
development partners and non-government organizations.

1.3 Combination of Polymer and Agriculture

Polymers are class of versatile materials that have been used extensively in
agriculture. Their properties such as structure, functionality and biodegradability can
be tailored to specially applications. General concept of functional polymer materials,
their structure and uses & focus on several prominent reasons directions
forthesematerials, water utilization by super ad sorbent polymer & other application
inside plant and organisms. Finally, we will indicate potent new opportunities and
applications of novel functional polymer that can contributed to development of
sustainable agricultural practices [16-19].

The Biodegradable polymer are a special class of polymer that breakdown after its
intended purpose by bacterial decomposition process to result in natural by products
such as gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass and in organic salts [20-21].

Biodegradable polymer is used in agricultural system day by day and most of the
people are utilized this polymer. Biodegradable polymers get degraded in to simpler
molecules like carbon-dioxide water, nitrogen etc. under aerobic or anaerobic
environment by the action of micro-organisms or enzymes. They decompose through
enzymatic hydrolysis and oxidation process & the decomposition reactions include
hydrolysis reactions (either enzymatic include or non -enzymatic reaction
mechanism). Leading to non -toxic smaller molecules which can either be
metabolized or excreted out form the body. It is usually developed by polymeric
materials like starch, lactic acid, cellulose and polyesters. The biodegradable materials
are decomposed easily through the action of bacteria, Fungi and other living
organisms. The substance found day to day used for instance, food, refuse, tree leaves
and grass clipping. Plant materials are usually biodegradable materials. This material
can be easily handled. Most of the communities encourage other people compost
materials and then further utilize then as an organic rice material in soil. For
examples, of biodegradable materials are paper and food waste, human waste,
manure, sewage sludge, Hospital waste, Slaughterhouse waste, Dead animals and

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plant, food waste etc. The biodegradable plastic bag, Plastic pipe, Plastic glass, Plastic
spoon etc. are material of biodegradable polymers.

The most important requirement for greenhouse covering materials in tropical and
subtropical area is to contribute to a cooling effect inside the greenhouse. Because
high solar irradiation leads to a strong heating effect inside the greenhouse, the
covering has avoid excessively high temperatures by keeping out as much solar
radiation as possible. This can be done by reducing photosynthetically active radiation
( PAR 400- 7000), But to reach a cooling effect it is much more effective to keep out
the solar radiation. That is not contributing to the plant growth. Near Infrared (NIR)
radiation (700-3000 nm) is not necessary for plant photo-synthesis So it is a challenge
for a new generation of covering materials to keep out selectively this part of the solar
spectrum.

Since plastic films have made possible to convert apparently unproductive

developments and this have encouraged economic growth in traditionally poor areas.
A clear example of this is the province of Almeria in southern Spain. Once know only
for its deserts and much used as a movie setting for "western ", it now has a heavy
concentration of greenhouse, which has made it a worldwide model of agricultural
development. Plastics now pervade all aspects of agriculture and horticulture and the
variety of products is enormous [22-24].

Hence finally polymeric materials are used in and on- soil to improve aeration,
provide mulch and promote plant growth and health. Many biomaterials, especially
heart value replacements and blood vessels are made of polymers like Dacron, Teflon
and polyurethane. Plastics containers of all shapes and sizes are light weight and
economically less expensive than the more traditional containers. Clothing floor
covering, garbage disposal bags and packaging are other polymer application. In
industry, automobile parts, windshields for fighter planes, pipes, tanks, packing
materials, insulation, wood, substitute, adhesives, matrix for composites and
elastomers are all polymer application. In sport, Playground, equipment, various balls,
golf clubs, swimming pools and protective helmets are often produced from polymers.

1.4 Uses

Modern polymers are very useful for instance, they can be used as poly -propane finds
uses in broad range of industries such as textile, packaging, stationery, plastics,

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aircraft, construction, rope, toys etc. Polystyrene is one of the most common. Plastics
actively used in the packaging industry, Bottles, toys containers, trays, disposable
glasses and plates, TVcabinet and lids are some of the daily used products made up of
polystyrene and also used as an insulator. Polyvinyl chloride is the manufacture of
sewage pipes. It is used insulator in the electric cables. It is used inclothing &
furniture and it has recently become popular for the construction of doors and
windows as well as also used in vinylflooring. Urea - formaldehyde resins are used
for making adhesives, moulds, laminated sheets, unbreakable containers. Back light is
used for making electrical switches, Kitchen products, toys, Jewelry, Firearms,
Insulators, Computer discs etc. andlastly, synthetic polymers play important role in
agricultural uses as structural materials for creating a climate beneficial to plant
growth. Example, mulches, shelters or greenhouse: for fumigation and irrigation, in
transporting and controlling water distribution.

1.5 Harmful Effects

Agriculture, specifically farming remains a hazardous industry and farmers worldwide

remain at high risk of work related injuries, lung diseases, noise induced hearing loss,
skin diseases, as well as certain cancers related to chemical use and prolonged sun
exposure, on industrialized farms, in juries frequently involve the use of agricultural
machinery and a common causes of total agricultural injurie in development countries
is tractor rollover [25].

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW

The first use of a plastic film in agriculture is said to data from 1948 when prof. B.M.
Emmert had no many to buy a glass house and converted a wooden structure with
cellulose acetate film, which replaced with polyethylenefilm sometime later .The use
of polymers in agriculture one significant scale started in the early 1950s when low
density polyethylene (LDPE) was used to replace paper for mulching vegetable [26].

Polymers have been essential components of commodities since the early days of
human-kind. The uses of wool (keratin), cotton and linen fibers (cellulose) for
garments, paper reed (cellulose) for paper are just a few examples of how our
ancestors exploited polymer containing raw materials to obtain artefacts. The latex
sap of "caoutchouc" trees natural rubber reaches Europe in the 16th century from
South America long after the Olmec; Maya Aztec had started using it as a material to
make balls, water proof textiles and containers [27].

The subsequent two decades witnessed the rapid development of many types of
synthetic fibers, plastics and elastomers, including Dacron, Nylon and spandex. Also
guiding principles for the successful thinking of monomers in to high- molecular-
weight polymers were established. The remainder of the 20th century saw explosive
growth in new polymers, from commodity plastics such as plumbing pipe. Food
warp and trash bags to highly specialized and tailored materials for use in aircraft
components, personal computer and health care [28].

For some farmers, entrepreneurship provides an opportunity for business development

idea and growth oriented, while for other its represents one of the few available routes
to economic survival and retaining their farm based livelihood (needoriented). A
common means for researchers to capture different entrepreneurial, approaches
adopted by farmers (cell 1) has been through the creation of typologies thatclassify
formers in to distinct group based on their individual skills and attitudes [29].

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3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study includes the two parts i.e. general objective and specific
objectives.

3.1 General Objective

The general objective of the study is to determine the polymer and its harmful effects
on agriculture in Karnali province.

3.2 Specific Objectives

The specificobjective of the study includes.

 Study of polymers on different agricultural farms in Karnali province.

 Study of harmful effects on agriculture in Karnali province.

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4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

 To know about the types of polymers used in Karnali province.

 To know about the different harmful effects of polymers on agriculture in
Karnali province.
 To find out the methods and ways to reduce the harmful effects of polymers in
agriculture.
 The study will also be beneficial for the future researchers and students who
wish to carry out studies on the related topics.

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5. MATERIALS AND METHOS

5.1 Research Design

The study will be descriptive and exploratory which will consist of primary data. The
primary data will be collected through the field survey. The data on uses of polymer
and its harmful effect will be obtained by visiting the selected study site.

5.2 Study Site

Karnali Province is largest province of the Nepal. This province will be the study site
of this study like Surkhet, Dailekh, Salyan, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Jumla, Rukum, Dolpa,
Humla and Mugu. For the field study, polymer in different agricultural farms will be
sued.

5.3 Data Collection Procedure

For the collection of data, first of all researcher will visit selected the Karnaliprovince
of all districts.

5.4 Statical Analysis

After the experiment, the data will be collected. The relation between the polymer and
agricultural harmful effect will be determined using necessary statical analysis using
the Python program.

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6. EXPECTED OUTCOME

After the collection of data, polymers and its harmful effect on agriculture in Karnali
province can be determined. It is expected that the study will be able to find out the
uses of polymer and its effect of all the agricultural farm of Karnali province. The
students and researchers who are willing to carry out studies on such topics will be
benefited through this study.

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7. TIME FRAME

The time schedule for the research is presented in the table as shown in the following
table.

Time schedule for Completion of Thesis

S.N. Activity Months

November Decembe January February March

r
1. Literature Review
2 Field survey and
data collection
3. Calculation and
analysis
4. Thesis writing 

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8. ESTIMATED BUDGET

S.N. Name / Title Price

1. Books and Reference materials Rs. 6,000
2. Printer  Rs. 2,500
3. Internet  Rs. 6,000
4. Transportations (for 10 districts of Karnali Province) Rs. 50,000
5. Laptop/computer (PC) Rs. 80,000
6. Miscellaneous  Rs. 5,500
Total Rs. 1,50,000

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