Introduction
Horticultural Research Station, Dailekh was initially established as a ‘Horticultural farm’ in 2034 B.S. under the directives of the then His Majesty King Birendra for promoting citrus cultivation in potential areas. The farm came under Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) from the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in 2052/53 B.S. with an objective of contributing livelihood improvement and poverty alleviation of the farmers of mid hills of mid and far western development regions by increasing the production and productivity of horticultural and agronomical crops through generation and delivery of appropriate technology. Since then, the station has been executing number of research activities on varietal improvement, cropping system, nutrient management and source seed production on numerous horticultural and agronomical crops. In addition, the station has recently commenced research studies on germplasm collection and assessment of fruits and cereals, conservation agriculture and soil nutrient management.
Geographical Location
This station is situated in Narayan Municipality-7, Kimugaun of the Dailekh district which is 2.3 km away from the district headquarter, Dailekh. Geographically, the station is located at an altitude of 1250-1355 m above mean sea level with 28o85′ North latitude and 81o72′ East longitude.
Command Area
Hilly Districts of mid and far western development regions viz., Dailekh, Kalikot and Achham under mid hills environment
Goal
The overall goal of the station is to transform subsistence nature of farming to commercial one for sustainable livelihood improvement and poverty alleviation through the development and dissemination of sustainable and eco-friendly technologies on horticultural and agronomical crops in mid hills agro-climatic condition of mid and far western development regions of Nepal.
Objectives
- Increase the agricultural production and productivity for the enhancement of livelihood and poverty level of resources poor mid hills farmers
- Conduct on-farm research trials at the outreach sites in collaboration with different partners viz., agricultural extension workers, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and farmers for verification and further dissemination of several innovative technologies
- Production of breeder and foundation seeds of cereals, grain legumes, oil seeds and different vegetables, improved citrus saplings and vegetable seedlings
- Extend amiable relationship among various national and international institutions involved in the research and development/extension of agriculture in mid and far-western development region
Strategies
- Development of sustainable and cost effective rain fed farming technologies
- Varietal screening and development of cereals and horticultural crops
- Development of production technologies on cereals, vegetables and citrus fruits which are economically viable and environmental friendly
- Collection, evaluation and maintenance of the local landraces of cereals, vegetables and flowers for further utilization in the breeding program
- Maintenance and multiplication of breeders and foundation seeds of cereal and vegetable crops, and produce seedlings and saplings of vegetables and citrus
- Collaborate with different stakeholders including DADO, INGOs, NGOs and CBOs to disseminate the proven technologies
Major Research Achievements
Horticultural Crops
- Gladiolus genotypes were evaluated, characterized and selected on the basis of their performance for varietal improvement through hybridization technique and seed setting behavior in inter varietal crosses were assessed. Seeds of different crosses were experimented for seed germination for further promotion of gladiolus genotypes for cut flower and garden display
- Promising varieties of gladiolus were identified and ARS, Dailekh has been established as source centre for planting materials
- Satsuma mandarin variety ‘Okitsuwase,’ was found to be successfully grown for off-season production at ARS, Dailekh and areas with similar climate & topography
- Most appropriate time and method of mandarin grafting was identified for sapling production
- Most appropriate time of seed sowing and transplanting of onion varieties resulting in maximum bulb yield was identified
- Technology for offseason bulb production from sets and annual seed production from seedlings of ‘Agrifound Dark Red’ onion developed and recommended
- Most appropriate time of onion bulb planting for highest seed production was identified
- Different thin shelled walnut genotypes collected from sub tropical, temperate and mild temperate domain were evaluated, characterized and selected for further vegetative propagation
Agronomical Crops
- High yielding crop varieties of cereals and legumes suitable for mid hills farmers were developed through collaborative on station and on farm varietal research
- Collection, evaluation, characterization and selection of hundred and four local landraces of upland rice was carried out through observation nursery (OBN) and Initial Yield Trial (IYT) and Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT)
- Superior wheat genotypes both for irrigated and rain fed condition as well as drought tolerance rice, maize and wheat genotypes were identified from Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) Maize-tomato intercropping system was identified as the most profitable crop combinations among various maize-vegetables intercropping combinations both on station and in the farmers’ field
- Efficient and cost effective crop management techniques on conservation agriculture in maize-wheat cropping system was identified
- Appropriate intercropping time of cowpea genotypes with maize was identified
- Appropriate planting date and seed rate of rapeseed genotypes assessed
- Most profitable crop combinations (intercropping system) for rice, wheat and maize based cropping system was identified
- Lowland rice genotype responsive towards particular seed rate under direct seeded condition was identified
- Wheat variety responsive towards particular seed rate in the zero tilled condition was identified
- Appropriate plant nutrient sources producing optimum grain yield of maize and wheat were identified
Researchers
- Mr. Netrahari Ghimire, Senior Scientist/Chief
Contact Address
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Horticultural Research Station
Kimugaun, Dailekh, Nepal
Phone: 977-089-420156
Fax: 977-089-420156
E-mail: arsdailekh@hotmail.com
Website: www.narc.gov.np