The demand of hybrid seeds is soaring due to their high production potential. A large quantity of hybrid seeds worth millions is being imported to meet this demand. In addition, entrepreneurs' access to open pollinated seeds is easier in international market. Therefore, it is not possible to reduce imports without developing suitable hybrid and open pollinated varieties of different crops according to farmers' choice, and making seeds available when and where needed.The formal seed industry, comprising the development of new varieties and the supply of source seeds, was almost entirely in the hands of National Agriculture Research Council (NARC) until 1998. The National Seed Policy (NSP) of 1999 for the first time involved private sector in crop-variety development and seed trade. Even then, the seed sector is ineffective.
To ensure self-sufficiency in quality seed and their import substitution and export promotion, there is National Seed Vision (2013-2025), the first official document of its kind, providing directives to all stakeholders associated with seed business—including those involved in variety development and maintenance, seed multiplication, seed processing and conditioning, seed marketing, and seed quality control. This vision has identified gaps, opportunities, and strategies to achieve certain outcomes by 2025. This vision can greatly boost crop productivity.
Two types of seed supply systems are prevalent in Nepal: formal and informal. The informal system supplies more than 90 percent of seeds used by farmers in cereal crop production. It is characterized by farmers producing and preserving their own seeds for subsequent planting. The formal system supplies less than 10 percent seed. It is characterized by a vertically organized production and distribution of tested and released/registered varieties by public and private organizations.
Existing seed replacement rate in Nepal is low for major cereal crops. Against the desirable seed replacement rate (SRR) of above 25 percent, our average SRR is 4.27 percent with eight percent in wheat followed by 4.4 percent in rice, 3.8 percent in maize and 1.6 percent in pulses. This is one of the main reasons for low crop productivity in Nepal.
In case of vegetable seeds, only about 50 percent of seed requirement is met by domestic production. Till the initiation of Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP), about a dozen of hilly districts used to produce considerable quantities of different vegetable seeds. A good system of vegetable seed production was in place. The seed enterprise was profitable. But AAP—when entailed introduction of hybrid seed, conflict in seed producing areas, alternative employment opportunities, weak research and extension support, and termination of external support— discouraged seed growers.
The use of hybrid vegetable seeds in Nepal has increased manifold but hybrid development process is slow. The gap in supply of hybrid seeds is mostly met by imports. The main reason for this slow process is inadequate human resources coupled with weak commitment and dedication of scientists. There have been no initiatives towards development of drought tolerant variety, low and high temperature tolerant variety and specific disease-resistant variety.
However, the low priority given to the seed sector by APP has been corrected in the Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS). The National Seed Vision has been prepared and incorporated in the ADS to fill the gaps in the seed sector. Through its implementation in harmony with the ADS, the seed vision is expected to contribute to production of wide range of crop seeds so that the seed industry will be self-reliant, thereby supporting import substitution and import promotion. The vision proposes promotional programmers to improve quality of Nepali seeds and increase their demand in domestic and international markets. It has also recognized important roles to be played by seed producers and entrepreneurs.
Community-based seed organizations dealing with rice, wheat, maize, kidney bean, chickpea, mung bean, lentil, field pea and oilseed have already been initiated in some districts. They are market-oriented, and cost-effective, because they involve all stakeholders including farmer groups, government and non-government research and development organizations, seed traders and entrepreneurs. This system of seed production is helpful for farmers to get seeds of the varieties they prefer.
Furthermore, 25 community seed banks have so far handed over 1,000 local seed varieties of 62 crop species to the government-owned gene bank. More such community seed banks are needed to promote collection and utilization of local seeds. At the same time, government's full support is needed to make farmers self-sufficient in seeds.
bhairabr@gmail.com
Related story
Change of Guard and OBOR
