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Agricultural Research and Technology Generation in Nepal

Agricultural Research and Technology Generation in Nepal.  H.K. Shrestha Nepal Agricultural Research Council. Background Information. Technology generation in Agriculture officially started by establishing farm stations in 1950s.

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Agricultural Research and Technology Generation in Nepal

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  1. Agricultural Research and Technology Generation in Nepal •  H.K. Shrestha • Nepal Agricultural Research Council

  2. Background Information Technology generation in Agriculture officially started by establishing farm stations in 1950s Investment solely in Agriculture is 3.2 % of the national budget Investment in technology generation (Agricultural Research) is 0.3% of the AGDP (very low research intensity as compared to international norms of at least 1% of AGDP) Pervasive underinvestment in agriculture research Nepal has developed and released a total of 244 improved varieties in different crops since 1960s to date In recent years, several crop, livestock, fisheries and horticultural technologies are developed and promoted (viz. trout fish, plastic house for off season vegetable, Srijana hybrid, Pakhribas pig, QPM, RCTs, coffee & millet processing machines etc

  3. Guidelines for Agricultural Research / Technology Generation Three Years Plan (F.Y. 2067/68 – 2069/70) Agriculture Perspective Plan National Agriculture Policy - 2004 Budget Speech / Issues raised in parliament

  4. Research Strategies for Technology Generation Problem Identification and Prioritization in Consultation with Stakeholders Participatory Research - Farm Station and Farmers' Field Networking with International Research Organization for Collaborative Research Effective Evaluation and Monitoring Technology Transfer

  5. Prioritized Area for Agriculture Research / Technology Generation Major cereal crops:Rice, Wheat, Maize and Potato (for food security)_ Horticulture and special commodities: Citrus, Apple, Off season vegetable, Vegetable seeds, Bee keeping, Floriculture Natural Resource management and climate change (Biotechnology, Soil, Water and Climate) Commercial crop (Ginger, Tea, Cardamom, Sugarcane, Jute) Livestock and Fishery (Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Swine, Avian, Pasture and fish Agricultural Policy, Soci-economics, Gender, Agriculture Marketing

  6. Released Varieties of Different Crops (No.)

  7. Change (%) in Area , Production and Productivity During last 25 years (1984-2010) Potato Rice Maize Barley Wheat

  8. Opportunities • Comparative agroecological advantage of growing some niche high value crops and commodities including organic farming • Increasing demand and market price of agricultural commodities e.g. food price, goat meat, fruits, vegetable price (signs of profitability if adequate production and marketing). • Some emerging trend of success and prospects in commercialization of agriculture (e.g. dairy, poultry, cash crops (trout fish, coffee, tea, cardamom), vegetables • Increasing trend of participation and emergence of NGOs and private sector in agricultural R&D • Increasing Donors’ and Government focus and priorities in agricultural R&D

  9. Challenges • Increasing youth migration from rural area resulting in labor scarcity and feminization of agriculture • Production uncertainty brought by climate change effects (increasing incidence of drought, flooding, cold waves, rise of temperature) • High cost of labor and key inputs (fertilizer, fuel) resulting in less profitability of farming • Lack of interest in agricultural profession among young and educated professionals • Poor incentives in public research organizations to attract, motivate and retain high caliber dedicated scientists and other agricultural professionals

  10. How far agriculture technology can contribute for nation building • New technology in agriculture reduces cost of cultivation/farming • New technology in cereal crops can contribute in nation's food security • New technology in horticulture/livestock/fishery can contribute in nutrition security as well as cash income of farmers • A new variety in rice can contribute billions of Rupees in national accounts (10% increase in rice yield worth 6-7 billion Rs.)

  11. Ways Forward • Institutional reforms to enhance multiple linkages among stakeholders (both horizontal and vertical) among research providers and users of new knowledge • Strengthen NARC’s role as facilitator and coordinator of NARS: Agricultural research coordination, policy making, prioritization, review and funding of demand driven agricultural research activities. • Develop separate wing to strengthen mechanisms for fund generation, financing and international linkages AR4D • Agriculture Development Strategy under formulation process

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