One-day “Output sharingshop on Improving seed system for smallholder farmers’ food security, Nepal” was organized at National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center (Genebank), Khumaltar on 9th Asad, 2079 (23rd June 2022) with the objectives of sharing the outputs and achievements of project to key stakeholders and sharing and feedback/inputs collection for draft guideline prepared on farmers native/local varieties registration, maintenance and source seed production. This program was jointly organized by National Genebank and the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT. There were altogether 32 participants representing different stakeholders related to farmers varieties conservation and promotion in Nepal. 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 status of farmers native/local varieties conservation and utilization in Nepal. Pradip Thapa, Plant Breeder, NAGRC presented the progress and achievements of this project in Nepal. During this presentation, he highlighted that, eleven native landraces are registered through Annex D provision of seed regulation-2013 which is one of the major achievements of this project. He added that, one important policy document for guiding registration, maintenance and source seed production of farmer’s native/local varieties is drafted during this project period. After sharing the draft guideline, discussion was made on issue related to registration, maintenance and quality control mechanism for schedule-D varieties. During this discussion, common understanding and consensus have been made regarding terminologies related to schedule-D. Some important inputs and feedbacks were collected on registration and quality control mechanism in farmers native/local varieties. Mr. Thapa then informed that revised draft guideline will be prepared with the compilation of suggestions/feedbacks collected from this sharingshop and then submitted to seed quality control center. At last Dr. Devendra Gauchan, National Project Manager, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT concluding the sharingshop with vote of thanks to all the participants.
