One-day “Knowledge Sharing and Interaction Workshop on Evolutionary Plant Breeding (EPB)” was organized at National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center (Genebank), Khumaltar on 28th Baishakh, 2079 (11th May 2022) with the objectives of sharing concept and knowledge on EPB to key stakeholders, orienting stakeholders about the global and national policy environments on EPB, updating the status and achievements of EPB project in Nepal and interacting with stakeholders about the EPB issues and mainstreaming strategies. This program was jointly organized by National Genebank, LI-BIRD Nepal and the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT. There were altogether 28 participants representing different stakeholders related to agro-biodiversity conservation from Kathmandu valley. The Workshop was facilitated by Krishna Hari Ghimire (Senior Scientist, Genebank).
Three technical papers were presented from the organizers. Dr. Bal Krishna Joshi, Chief, Genebank shared the concept of EPB and strategies for mainstreaming evolutionary populations (EPs). Shree Prasad Neupane, Plant Breeder, LIBIRD presented the status, progress and impact of EPB project in Lamjung and Jumla. Similary Dr. Devendra Gauchan, Senior Scientist, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT discussed about the policy environment for EPs and global practice. Each presentation was followed by live discussion among the participants. After the presentation, plenary session was held on problems, issues and mainstreaming strategies on EPB and mixed populations. From the plenary discussion, understanding and consensus have been made regarding the importance of EPB for agrobiodiversity conservation, resilient agriculture and organic farming. Components of EPs could be registered in Schedule-D but separate guideline is required to register EPs as technology, however EPB need to be mainstreamed in research, extension and education after further validation by analytical findings. Many different options and working modalities on Eps have been generated.
Distinguished guests namely Mr. Durga Prasad Adhikari (Managing Director, SEAN Seed Service Center), Dr. Surendra Lal Shrestha (Principal Scientist-S5, National Horticulture Research Center), Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha (Chief, Center for Crop Development and Agrobiodiversity Conservation), Dr. Shanta Karkee (Deputy Director General, Department of Agriculture), Dr. Bal Ram Thapa (Executive Director, LI-BIRD) and Ms. Shabnam Shivakoti (Chief, Food Security and Food Technology Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development) gave their remarks on the consequences of EPs, possible policy interventions and mainstreaming strategies. Dr. Joshi then summarized informing all about the compilation of all suggestions, sharing all presentations, drafting policy paper on Eps, sharing EPB related publications and agrobiodiversity toolkits. Some publications are available from these links:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339301085_utparivartanasila_bali_prajanan_Evolutionary_Plant_Breeding_ke_ho_kina_ra_kasari_garincha_Evolutionary_plant_breeding_What_it_is_why_and_how_it_is_done
https://wle.cgiar.org/concept-and-rationale-evolutionary-plant-breeding-and-its-status-nepal
