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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. |
