An International Training Workshop on “Quality Hybrid Maize Seed Production and Seed Business Management in South Asia” has been conducted on 15-18 October, 2022 at Hotel Himalaya Inn Kupandole, Lalitpur, Nepal. The program was jointly organized by Government of Nepal, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Seed Entrepreneur Association of Nepal and CGIAR which was supported by USAID. The training was organized with objectives of i) share global experiences on developing competitive hybrid products and seed production technologies that will reduce production costs and maximize yields and profits, ii) address key aspects of hybrid seed business strategies and management practices to ensure competitiveness in the sector, iii) enrich technical, managerial and leadership skills of seed company owners and their staffs and iv) share experiences on variety registration, seed certification, seed quality monitoring and enabling seed policies and regulations. The participants from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India were actively involved in the training program. During closing ceremony secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal, Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, Executive Director, Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Dr. Deepak Bhandari and Ms. Lynn Schneider Economic Growth Office, USAID, Nepal were present and remarked the importance of seed system. In the program Secretary Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma handed over various maize seeds to NARC and seven private seed companies of Nepal which were acquired through Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project, implemented by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) from its international maize breeding hubs in Mexico, Zimbabwe, Colombia and India and Nepal is receiving these diversified product first time which will help in the increase in national Maize Yield.
