KATHMANDU, Dec 7: The government and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for  10-year collaboration amidst a special event on Wednesday.

The MoU was signed by the Secretary Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Director General Bram Govaerts from CIMMYT during a ceremony at the ministry in the gracious presence of Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Bedu Ram Bhusal.

This partnership aims to bolster agriculture production and market systems in Nepal. This historic partnership solidifies the commitment of both entities to enhance agricultural science and contribute to the sustainable development of Nepal's agricultural sector.

During the event, Dr. Sharma emphasized the importance of collaboration and the commitment of the government and CIMMYT to sustainable agricultural growth. He expressed his commitment, on behalf of the Ministry, to support CIMMYT's programs focusing on seed varieties, food value, market chains, and research. He also thanked CIMMYT for fostering maize and wheat hybrid seeds in Nepal.

Addressing the event, Agriculture Minister Dr. Bhusal expressed hope for this collaboration to significantly impact rural families and transform the lives of farmers. He expressed gratitude for collaboration efforts in agriculture, highlighting the achievements in developing maize and wheat varieties and the creation of a digital soil map.

Similarly, Director General Bram Govaerts emphasized that this MoU signifies collaboration between policy and science to impact the agri-food system. He thanked the government of Nepal for collaborative work in developing a Digital Soil Map, 17 improved maize varieties and hybrids, and 11 enhanced wheat varieties in Nepal. He also stated, "It embodies a collaborative effort between the institutions to bolster agricultural productivity and tackle agricultural challenges through innovative research and development

The 10-year duration of the MoU reflects the commitment of both the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and CIMMYT to achieving lasting impacts in the agricultural sector. Through collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of innovative technologies, the partnership aims to address the evolving challenges faced by Nepal's farmers and contribute to the Nepal's Agriculture Development Strategy (2015-2035)

 
• CIMMYT
 
• government