Nepal, June 29 -- Asar 15 observed on 29 June this year is a joyous day for many Nepalis.

It carries memories of fields prepared for planting paddy, bundles of ready-to-be transplanted rice seedlings, farmers engaged in playful mud fights and sharing and dancing to joyous . But all this is changing as erratic rainfall impacts the crop calendar.

For households dependent on rainfed farming in eastern Nepal, cultivation is limited to the monsoon. The land lies fallow the rest of the year. This reduces production, raises food costs, and limits diversification into high-value crops.

The indigenous Aathpahariya community in Dhankuta has always depended on agriculture, but their livelihoods are changing because of climate uncertainty. Outmig...