Technologies and innovations for production system in agriculture: National policy provisions and implementation in Nepal

Krishna Timsina; Devendra Gauchan; Shreeya Tripathi; Sabin Basi; Surya Prasad Adhikari

doi:10.59552/nppr.v4i1.79

Authors

Krishna Timsina National Agricultural Policy Research Centre (NAPREC)
Devendra Gauchan Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT & Nepal Agricultural Economics Society (NAES)
Shreeya Tripathi National Agricultural Policy Research Centre (NAPREC)
Sabin Basi Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology
Surya Prasad Adhikari National Agricultural Policy Research Centre (NAPREC)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59552/nppr.v4i1.79

Keywords:

Crop management, Indicators, Innovation, Resource Allocation

Abstract

Nepal’s Agriculture has rapidly embraced the concept of development and assessment since the 1960s. However, the intricacies of the sector present an ongoing challenge in identifying the necessary policy actions to foster the evolution of agricultural innovation and technologies. This study aims to review policy provisions concerning agrarian technologies and innovations that stimulate the production system. Additionally, it identifies issues and gaps, formulating potential policy solutions. The research followed a comprehensive three-step process: firstly, listing and reviewing 54 agricultural policies, and 32 acts of Nepal using a set of thirteen indicators. After that, an assessment of implementation status was done. Then consultation and validation of findings were conducted with the experts in the workshops. The findings contribute to a better understanding of policy implementation and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. The study found that while many policies aimed to improve agricultural production and productivity, they lacked actual measures to support increased production, such as assisting with essential inputs like labour, capital, and complementary materials. Additionally, it revealed that approximately 9% of agricultural acts and 54% of policies included provisions for production and management system technologies and innovations. However, no policy provisions for developing production technologies were found for “source seed production” and “to conserve and utilize local resources”. The study identifies that the current resource allocations for innovative production systems and management technologies are inadequate, particularly in areas like climate change, food safety, nutrition, conservation, biotechnology, and mechanization.

Author Biographies

Krishna Timsina, National Agricultural Policy Research Centre (NAPREC)

He is currently working as a senior scientist at the National Agricultural Policy Research Centre of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council. He received his PhD in agribusiness management in 2015 from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. He has 14 years of experience as a scientist in the field of agricultural economics and policy analysis.

Devendra Gauchan, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT & Nepal Agricultural Economics Society (NAES)

He is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He received his PhD degree in 2004 from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He has 26 years of experience as a project manager, senior scientist, and consultant in the fields of agriculture, food security, agricultural R&D policies, agrobiodiversity, and market and value chain assessment.

Shreeya Tripathi, National Agricultural Policy Research Centre (NAPREC)

She is currently working as Research Intern at National Agricultural Policy Research Centre of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council. She received her B.Sc. (Hons) Ag. in 2019 from Purbanchal University. She has almost 2 years of experience as Research Intern in the field of Agricultural Policy.

Sabin Basi, Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology

He is an Assistant Professor at Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology, Nepal. He/she received his PhD degree in 2013 from the University of Bonn, Germany. He has 11 years of experience as a researcher, faculty member, consultant and policy researcher in the fields of agriculture, environment, forestry, seed systems, plant biotechnology and agriculture policy.

Surya Prasad Adhikari, National Agricultural Policy Research Centre (NAPREC)

He is currently working as a scientist at the National Agricultural Policy Research Centre of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council. He received his Master of Agricultural Economics in 2012 from the Tribhuwan University, Nepal. He has 10 years of experience as a scientist in the field of agricultural economics.

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