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The 13th Regional Steering Committee
(RSC) meeting and 14th Regional Technical Coordination
Committee (RTCC) meetings of the Rice-Wheat Consortium
for the Indo-Gangetic Plains (RWC-IGP) was held
in Kathmandu on 14-15 February 2007. The meetings
were chaired by Dr. Nanda Prasad Shrestha, Executive
Director of NARC.
In the RSC meeting, national
coordinators of each of the countries presented
country reports and the rice-wheat research and
development works and achievements in the regions
were reviewed. In the NTCC meeting, the rice-wheat
research works and activities under Rice-Wheat
Projects conducted at different sites in Nepal
were presented Reports on Rice-Wheat activities
in three different sites: Naldung, Bhairahawa
and Parwanipur were presented
The consortium is a forum composed
of partners from the four national agricultural
research systems (NARS) in South Asia - Bangladesh,
India, Nepal and Pakistan that grow wheat after
rice in 10.5 million hectares of land. Other members
include several international research centers
including CIMMYT (convening center), IRRI, ICRISAT,
CIP and IWMI. There are also a number of institutions
including Cornell University, IACR Rothamsted,
CABI International, IAC Wageningen and others.
The goal of the consortium is to provide a forum
for sharing/exchange of ideas and research results
related to improving the sustainability and production
of the rice-wheat systems of the Indo-Gangetic
Plains and Mid-Himalayan hills.
Thirty
one NARC employees having completed 25 years of
their service were honored with plaques and certificates
by the Chief Guest. Seven other NARC employees
were given certificate of best performance in
their service. Three ex-agriculture experts: Mr.
Padam Prasad Shrestha, horticulturist; Late Dr.
Toya Nath Mishra, Maize Breeder; Late Mr. Sambhu
Nath Pyakurel, Livestock were honoured with doshalla
by the Minister. Doshalla for the experts honoured
posthumously were received by their surviving
best halves.
An exhibition showing
the NARC’s activities/achievements was held
on the occasion of NARC Day.
Earlier on the eve of the 16th
NARC Annual Day, a Press Conference was organized
at NARC, Ramshahpath on 7 May. In the program
Executive Director Dr Nanda Prasad Shrestha briefed
about the works and achievements of NARC in the
last one year and the impacts of the recommended
high yielding and location-specific varieties
of different crops, breeds of livestocks and fish
species with total package of practices for farmers
that have significantly covered the farmers’
fields. Journalists from different print and electronic
media had interactions with the NARC scientists
on various issues related to agriculture. The
program was coordinated by the Chief of Communication,
Publication and Documentation Division, Mr Bhola
Man Singh Basnet.
A two-day development exhibition
was organized on 5-6 March 2007 by JICA Alumni
Association of Nepal (JAAN) at Birendra International
Convention Centre, Baneswor to commemorate Golden
Jubilee of Japan-Nepal Diplomatic Relation. The
exhibition was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister
for Housing and Physical Planning Mr. Gopal Man
Shrestha.
The main objective of the exhibition
was to acquaint the new generation of the Nepalese
people with the contribution of Japanese fund
for the development of Nepal in various field
within the last 50 years. Nepal Agricultural Research
Council (NARC) participated in the workshop to
exhibit different agricultural technologies developed
specially with Japanese assistance or partnership.
Japan has been assisting Nepal for the last 50
years in technology development and capacity building
for research and development in the agriculture
sector.
First National Workshop on Rainbow
Trout Farming Scaling-up Strategies in Nepal was
held at Pulchowk, Lalitpur on 18-19 January 2007.
The two-day workshop was organized jointly by
Fisheries Research Division of Nepal Agricultural
Research Council, Directorate of Fisheries Development
under Department of Agriculture, Nepal Fisheries
Society and Japan International Corporation Agency
(JICA), Nepal. The workshop focused on linking
various agencies concerned with commercialization
of trout production in the country. The workshop
was participated by farmers, entrepreneurs, I/NGOs,
financial organization, economist, market expert,
policy maker, planner, social scientist, extensionist,
researchers and journalists.
The theme of the workshop was to develop strategies
for reducing poverty and unemployment through
enhancing trout farming in hills and mountains
by utilizing cold water resources. The workshop
was focused on the new technological innovation,
market, social and economical information related
to rainbow trout production in hills and mountains.
The workshop was formally inaugurated
by the then Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture
and cooperatives Mr. Mahantha Thakur in a special
function chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture
and cooperatives, Mr. Ganesh Kumar KC. The function
was attended by Director General of Network of
Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), Dr.
Sena De Silva; FAO Resident Representative; JICA
Resident Representative; Executive Director of
NARC; Director General of Department of Agriculture
and representatives from different organizations.
Dr. Tek Bahadur Gurung, Chief , Fisheries Research
Division highlighted the objective of the workshop.
The workshop reviewed existing
research facilities, human resource, organizational
and institutional strength and weaknesses, existing
fishery extension agencies and structural setup
and other issues related to trout production and
also made out recommendations for appropriate
research and extension strategies and approaches
for production enhancement of trout in potential
areas of Nepal. Some of the recommendations are
as follows:
- Expand trout farming in feasible
areas and explore market for trout in country
and abroad, establish trout hatcheries in private
sector
- Enforcement of Aquatic Life
Protection Act and code of conduct for responsible
aquaculture at national level
- Special credit scheme for
trout farmer (valuation of land in accordance
with the annual turn over of the trout farm
etc.) and provision of subsidy in interest on
loan for capital investment
- Public-private partnership
(farmers’ cooperatives, I/NGOs) approach
to promote commercialization of trout
- Develop input delivery
mechanism in trout growing pocket areas, initiative
on establishment of fish feed industry in private
sector
- Prepare database on fish
production, demand, consumption, export and
import
- Develop curriculum for farmer
training, develop human resources, infrastructure,
facilities required for the rapid expansion
of trout
- Develop/strengthen feedback
mechanism and communication system for all stakeholder
- Research on year round supply
of trout seed, quality feed based on local ingredients,
fish health management, reproductive performance,
- Feasibility study in different
development regions from commercial and livelihood
perspective, participatory trout farming research
in new locations
- Technology on low-cost pond/raceway
construction
- Establishment and study
on different strains of rainbow trout, maintenance
of genetic variation, genetic purity
- Study on socioeconomic and
environmental impact with trout establishment
in hydel reservoirs impounded
The World Water Day 2007 was
observed all over the world on 22 March. The theme
of the Day this year was “Coping with Water
Scarcity”. On this occasion, an interaction
on efficient water use in farm was held at the
Department of Agriculture, Harihar Bhawan. Dr.
Luke A Colavito, Agriculture Program Coordinator,
Winrock International, South Asia and Team Leader,
USAID Smallholder Irrigation Market Initiative
(SIMI) presented on “Efficient Farm Water
Use: Micro Irrigation and Value-Chains”.
Different water technologies developed and refined
in Nepal like drip irrigation, sprinkler systems,
modified Thai Jar, multi-use water systems (MUS)
and Treadle Pump were presented in the interaction.
Some recommendations were also
made in the interaction that include expanding
use of micro irrigation, low cost water storage
and multi-use water systems with a focus on high-value
horticulture and special crop opportunities; applying
the value-chain approach in public-private partnership;
prioritizing investment in efficient water saving
technologies. The program was attended by Secretary
of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ganesh
Kumar KC, Director General of Department of Agriculture,
agriculture expert and scientists from DoA, NARC
and I/NGOs.
In order to explore development
activities and interventions and policies that
can help maximize increasing farmer incomes and
employment activities, Ministry of Agriculture
and Cooperatives and Nepal SIMI (Winrock International/IDE)
jointly organized the workshop on ‘Jobs
in Agriculture’ at Department of Agriculture,
Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur on 23 March 2007.
The specific objectives of
the workshop were to explore: opportunities to
increase farmer cash incomes through commercial
production of smallholders; employment opportunities
supporting agriculture production including input
supplier networks (agrovets), specialized service
providerand output marketing; employment in formal
agro processing industries (salary jobs); policies
and investments needed to increase farmer incomes
and agricultural employment; training required
to increase incomes and agricultural employment.
In the workshop different papers
on opportunities in high-value commercial agriculture
to increase farmer incomes and secondary impact
of job creation from increasing farmer incomes;
employment opportunities in agro-processing industries;
and government policies for investment to increase
farmer incomes and agricultural sector employment
were presented. Discussion in different four groups
on productivity and incomes; employment in agro-industry;
policies and investment for employment; and training
programs for employment were held.
The workshop was chaired by
Mr. Ganesh KC, Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture
and Cooperatives in which Dr. Luke A Colavito,
Agriculture Program Coordinator, Winrock International,
South Asia and Team Leader, USAID Smallholder
Irrigation Market Initiative (SIMI); Joint Secretaries
and Senior Officers of MoAC, Mr. Bhairab Raj Kaini,
Mr. Dala Ram Pradhan, Dr. Hari Dahal, Mr Suresh
Kumar Verma, Dr. Siddhi Ganesh Shrestha, Mr. Yogendra
Kumar Karki, Mr. Bhimsen Gurung , SIMI, and Mr.
Suraj Vaidya, Agri-entrepreneur presented concept
papers and group discussion reports. The workshop
was participated by delegates from MoAC, Department
of Agriculture, NARC and different I/NGOs.
A workshop to promote the organic
farming was organized by Kathmandu District Agriculture
Office on 28 March at Balaju. The workshops was
participated by representatives from organic farmers,
NARC, school/colleges, hotels and sellers. Three
working papers on different aspects of organic
farming were presented. Interaction on different
issues of organic farming was held.
National Policy Draft on Library
and Information was submitted to Ministry of Education
on 4 January 2007. A team coordinated by Mr. Dasarath
Thapa, Chief of Nepal National Library, Harihar
Bhawan was formed for preparation of the draft.
The team consisted of Chiefs of Central Library
of TU, Government and Non-government organizations.
Mr. Bhola Man Singh Basnet, Chief of Communication,
Publication and Documentation Division, represented
in the team from NARC.
With the view to share research
experiences on the Yellow Rust disease in wheat
that has wide spread in the last four years, and
to make out strategies to manage the disease,
a field monitoring and observation program was
organized by Plant Pathology Division of Nepal
Agricultural Research Council (NARC) on 21 March
2007.
The monitoring team consisting
NARC scientists and chiefs of different disciplinary
divisions and commodity research programs, agriculture
development experts from Department of Agriculture,
CIMMYT-Nepal, agriculture development officers
from District Agriculture Development Offices,
Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur had field observation
of Poly-house established for the study of disease
at Plant Pathology Division and wheat trial plots
at Khumaltar and farmers’ field at Jhor
Mahankal, Kathmandu. Interactions on the issues
related to the incidence of disease and control
measures were held on the field. Information about
the disease and research activities conducted
was given to the participants and the local farmers
present in the field.
The yellow rust disease that
passes through air has come as disaster to wheat
crops in the last few years especially in the
hilly regions of country. Now the farmers seem
to seek alternatives to wheat crops. Some varieties
have been found resistant to yellow rust disease
that are Pasang Lhamu and WK1204. The new resistant
varieties of wheat has given hope to get rid of
the disease and make farmers continue wheat planting.
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops
ranked third in production and consumption in
Nepal. It is grown in all the regions of the country.
The Workshop on Methodology
Development for Pest Database Preparation of some
export commodities like Mandarin Orange, Ginger,
Lentil, Chiraito and Tea was organized at Entomology
Division, Khumaltar, on 14 – 15 January,
2007. The workshop jointly organized by NARC and
Department of Agriculture was participated by
scientists and researchers from different divisions/stations
of NARC; National Academy of Science and Technology
(NAST); Plant Protection Directorate (PPD), National
Plant Quarantine Program (NPQP) of Department
of Agriculture and IAAS/TU. The workshop focused
on norms and parameters required for pest database
preparation based on National Plant Quarantine
Program (NPQP) and International Standards (WTO),
preparation of format for survey and surveillance
in insect pests, plant diseases, weed science
etc.
The International Standards
for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) are prepared
by the Secretariat of the The International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC) so as to follow the
standard, guidelines & recommendations to
achieve international harmonization of phytosanitary
measures with the aim to facilitate trade &
avoid the use of unjustifiable measures as barriers
to trade. The Internantional Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) has been the premier international
instrument for the protection of plant health
by the movement of plants & plant products
since 1952. ISPM has particular importance as
WTO members are required to base their phytosanitary
standards developed by the IPPC. The provision
of official information regarding pest status
is an obligation under the IPPC. The reliable
pest records or information and the determination
of pest status are vital components in phytosanitary
trade to be used by importing countries to conduct
a pest risk analysis (PRA) on a pest in another
country, establish phytosanitary regulations to
prevent the entry, establishment or spread of
a pest, conduct a PRA on a non-quarantine pest
in their own territory with a view to regulating
it.; by exporting countries to comply with import
regulations by not exporting consignments infested
with the regulated pests of the importing country,
meet requests for information from other countries
for the purpose of PRA on pests in their territory;
and all other countries for PRA purposes, national,
regional or international pest management planning,
establishing national pest lists, establishing
and maintaining pest free area, GIS mapping of
pest distribution of the country, and ensuring
early detection of introduced pests.
Pest Database is an electronic
documentation of pest status information, major
output that has a significant long term impact
on pest survey activity & pest status data
collation, pest records on the basis of many sources
as surveys, findings of general surveillance,
scientific publications, journals etc. The information
on the status of a pest in areas, countries and
regions may be used to establish the global distribution
of a pest.
In Nepal, a server driven National
Phytosanitary Database (NPD) System under NPQP
has been initiated for the pest status data compilation
& computerization along with other required
information related to phytosanitary trade. Data
entry of pest list of 21 commodities has been
into the database of NPD (Lentil, ginger, mustard,
potato, onion, radish, wheat, citrus, mango, tea,
coffee, cardamom, linseed, paddy, maize, coriander,
pea, tomato, cabbage, banana & chiraito).
NPD has features for generating reports for decision
makers and has the potential to be used as an
integrated information management system for the
NPPO in future. Lists has been provided to India
to facilitate safe trade between 2 countries &
also notified in website for WTO contracting members.
Apple and garlic pest list has been prepared and
is in process of final stage for pest record.
A national executive & steering committee
for PRA & PFA under Ministry of Agriculture
and Cooperatives has been formed to develop strong
networking capacities between the various agencies
involved in such activities.
- ‘Improving Crop Water
Productivity is the Key for Sustainable Farming
for Nepal: Research Perspective by Dr Surya
Prasad Bhattarai, Central Queensland University,
Rockhampton, Australia on 20 February 2007 at
NARI Conference Hall , NARC, Khumaltar
- ‘Improving the Yield
and Rainfall Use Effeciency of Dry-Land Crops:
The Australian Experience’ by Prof. Neil
C Turner, Director Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean
Agriculture, The University of Western Australia
on 25 January 2007 at NARI Conference Hall ,
NARC, Khumaltar.
- Ms. Bharati Moktan and Gopal
Lama, Trout farmers gave interview to Radio
Sagarmatha about trout culture on 18 January
2007
- Mr. Rumba, trout farmer
and Mr. Mulmi, technician at Fisheries Research
Division, Godavari gave interview to Radio HBC
about trout culture on 26 January 2007
- Mr. Bhola Man Singh Basnet,
Principal Scientist and Chief of Communication,
Publication and Documentation Division, NARC
gave interview to Radio Sagarmatha and Radio
HBC 94 about RWC-Regional Steering Committee
meeting on 16 February 2007
- Mr. Hari Krishna Upreti
and Kedar Shrestha gave interview to Radio HBC
94 about Khumal-8 variety of rice on 2 February
2007.
With the view to share experiences
on the Clubroot disease in Cole crops that has
spread in Kathmandu Valley and surroundings causing
serious problem in cauliflower and cabbbage cultivation
in the last 4-5 years, and to make out strategies
against the disease for coming years, an interaction
program was organized by Plant Pathology Division
of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
on 9 Feb 2007 at District Agriculture Development
Office, Bhaktapur.
The program participated by
30 farmers from Bhaktapur, Agriculture Development
Officers and extensionist from DADO Bhaktapur
and scientists from Plant Pathology Division/NARC.
The participants had interactions on the issues
related to the incidence of disease and control
measures. During the occasions, Dr Ram Devi Timila,
Senior Scientist at Plant Pathology Division gave
out information about the disease and research
activities conducted to manage it. Farmer representatives
presented their experiences on the disease and
the disease management measures.
Cole crops: cauliflower, cabbages,
radish and broad leaf mustard are the major winter
vegetables of Nepal that give good profit to the
farmers. However, Clubroot disease has been a
serious for cole crops cultivation. Plant Pathology
Division of NARC has recommended some measures
to control the disease that include use of a fungicide,
change in cropping pattern and soil treatment. |
