Policy Gaps and Practices on Genetic Diversity, The Heterogenous and Localized Evolutionary Population as well as Native Landraces in Agriculture of Nepal

Bal Krishna Joshi; Subodh Khanal; Ram Krishna Shrestha

doi:10.59552/nppr.v3i1.55

Authors

Bal Krishna Joshi National Genebank, NARC, Khumaltar, Nepal
Subodh Khanal Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa
Ram Krishna Shrestha Center of Crop Development and Agrobiodiversity Conservation, DoA, Lalitpur d. Department of Agriculture (DoA)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59552/nppr.v3i1.55

Keywords:

Commercialization, Genetic Diversity, Monogenotype, Registration, Site-Specific Variety, Uniform

Abstract

Formal breeding strategies and processes focus on developing uniform and non-evolutionary populations. However, many farmers continue to cultivate heterogenous cultivars and populations. To understand the recognition of genetic diversity (heterogenous cultivars and populations) in policies and the fields, a literature survey along with field survey, interaction and field action research were carried out in 15 districts of Nepal. Existing policies demand varieties to go through DUS (distinctness, uniformity, stability) testing and be registered in National Seed Board (NSB) for commercial production and sale. This means all native landraces and other broad genetic-based genotypes cannot be marketed without registration. A formal agriculture system accelerates the cultivation of a single genotype in a large area, leading to a lack of pollinators and the loss of many genetic diversities.

Legal agricultural systems have focused mainly on modernizing agriculture through exotic resources, giving less priority to making native landraces and technologies globally competitive. In contrast, the informal seed system deals with polymorphic and evolutionary populations. Therefore, policies should consider the strategies that favor and increase genetic diversity, evolutionary population, site-specific genotypes and staple food, self-seed production system, ecological services, insects/birds/ microorganism-friendly systems, etc. Native agricultural genetic resources (AGRs) with broad genetic bases are essential for food, nutrition, health, environment, and business security. Therefore, native landraces of all six components of agrobiodiversity (namely crops, forages, livestock, aquatic genetic resources, insects, and microorganisms) should receive priority in research, development, extension, and education. Additionally, a favorable policy for the commercialization of such native landraces and/ or their products without registration should be established. Alternatively, a registration system should be developed for broad genetic base genotypes and heterogenous and evolutionary populations.

Author Biographies

Bal Krishna Joshi, National Genebank, NARC, Khumaltar, Nepal

Dr. Bal Krishna Joshi received PhD in Agricultural Science from Japan. Dr. Joshi has been working on agrobiodiversity conservation and utilization since last 25 years and have developed and identified 101 good practices and approaches. Dr. Joshi has significant scientific contribution on in the field of Plant Genetics and Breeding, Agrobiodiversity and related policy, Biotechnology, Statistics, Conservation Science, Geographical information system, and Climate smart plant breeding. Dr. Joshi has served as an Editor-in-Chief in Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Nepal Agriculture Research Journal. He has received 12 different awards including National Technology Award, and Science and Technology Youth Award. His major thrust is to make native agricultural genetic resources competent globally.

Subodh Khanal, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa

Subodh Khanal received Master’s degree in Conservation Econoloy. Mr. Khanal is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Scienc, Tribhuvan University. His interest icludes Agroecology, agribiodiversity management, nature farming, climate change and agriculture. In addition, Mr. Khanal has worked various national and international projects related to agroecology.

Ram Krishna Shrestha, Center of Crop Development and Agrobiodiversity Conservation, DoA, Lalitpur d. Department of Agriculture (DoA)

Ram Krishna Shrestha received PhD in Social capital building in rural facming communities. Currently he is serving as a joint secretary at Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. His research iterests includes food policy, food system transformation, climate change impact in agriculture, agro-biodiversity conservation, building sustainable and resilient agri. food system, agroecology and other nature positive farming, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, promotion of local and indigenous crops, agricultural extension, among others. Dr. Shrestha has worked at different levels under ministry, from grassroots to the policy level.

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