National Genebank and Agrobiodiversity Day Celebrated

National Agriculture Genetic Resources Centre popularly known as National genebank celebrated 12th National Genebank and 5th Agrobiodiversity Day with the theme/slogan “Native Agriculture Genetic Resources for food, nutrition, environment and business” on the occasion of its born day or establishment i.e., on 21 Aswin 2079 at Genebank, Khumaltar, Lalitpur. The program’s additional motto is “Let’s make native agricultural genetic resources (crops, forages, livestock, agri-insects, agri-microbes and aquatic agri-genetic resources) competent globally and available forever”.

Government of Nepal has declared this fiscal year as National Agrobiodiversity Year 2079. Considering this, due respect was given to local genetic resources while conducting the events. Genebank prepared fliers, wish-cards about agro-biodiversity of the country and its need for conservation and utilization. Nepal Genebank request all stakeholders to consider and collaborate for the implementation of the 20 points agrobiodiversity conservation activities for better management of agrobiodiversity in Nepal. Further, Dr. Bal Krishna Joshi, Chief of Genebank requested all the stakeholders working in agrobiodiversity and agriculture to promote, conserve, support, collaborate and utilize all the components of agrobiodiversity through emails and other social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Researchgate etc. Further, Many stakeholders congratulated genebank on its born day and they hoped for better conservation efforts of agricultural genetic resources in the coming days.

Due to official Dashain holiday on 21st Ashwin, Genebank has organized National genebank and agrobiodiversity day celebration on 24th Ashwin 2079. The celebration started with staff orientation about the importance of the event. Then, a religious tree, bel was planted in the newly established temple. Seed mixture was broadcasted in agro-gene sanctuary and in a newly established temple premise. The importance about the mushroom park was shared among the staff. Other activities includes bamboo fencing in agro-gene sanctuary, sharing genebank fliers and wish cards. Finally, the program ended with a photo shoot of staff team and chief remarks. Dr Joshi, Chief of Genebank, thanked all the staff for helping to organize events successfully.