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Srengthening National Seed System for Food and Nutrition Security in Nepal

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Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Security

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

Abstract

Seed is the most important input in crop production, determining yield and affecting food and nutrition security. The ultimate gain of genetics and plant breeding efforts can be realized only when good quality seed is available to farmers for production. This chapter aims to analyze strengths and weaknesses in seed policies, programs, strategies, and their implementation in line with the country’s commitment to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. It is also focused on the production and distribution of crop seeds in Nepal which is vital for agricultural productivity, food self-sufficiency, and nutrition security availability of good quality seeds is possible through a robust national seed system where public and private sectors work together. Participation of the private sector in the seed production and distribution system in Nepal is encouraging, but significant contribution from this sector is yet to come. Demand for hybrid seeds is increasing especially in the vegetable sector. Although Nepal has a well-defined system of variety development, release, registration, and notification process, due to the porous border system with India, sometimes unauthorized and unsuitable crop varieties are illegally imported. This often causes big losses to farmers as such varieties might not be suitable to agroecological conditions of Nepal. Since the seed is produced and distributed through a formal and informal system with the participation of both the private and public sectors, a strong coordination is vital among various stakeholders. More focus is needed to safeguard the seed quality, especially during harvesting and storage using dry chain technologies. In general, the seed policies in Nepal are relatively favorable to the seed sector, but it also has many challenges including application of advanced technologies. The policy implications of this review could also be useful in improving the national seed systems of the South Asian countries and beyond.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clunies Ross St, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia

    Sita R. Ghimire

  2. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), South Asia Regional Office, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal

    Hari K. Shrestha

  3. Knowledge-Based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal (KISAN II), Sanepa, Lalitpur, Nepal

    Mahendra P. Khanal

  4. The University of Sydney, IA Watson Grains Research Centre, 12656 Newell Highway, Narrabri, NSW, 2390, Australia

    Kedar N. Adhikari

Authors
  1. Sita R. Ghimire
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  2. Hari K. Shrestha
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  3. Mahendra P. Khanal
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  4. Kedar N. Adhikari
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sita R. Ghimire .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst for Study and Dvlpmt Worldwide, Global Evergreening Alliance, Homebush West, NSW, Australia

    Jagadish Timsina

  2. Ctr for Sust Agricultural Systems, ILSE, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia

    Tek N. Maraseni

  3. Bioversity International, Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Devendra Gauchan

  4. Adjunct Faculty, Curtin University, Eden Hill, WA, Australia

    Jagannath Adhikari

  5. University of Canberra, North Strathfield, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Hemant Ojha

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Ghimire, S.R., Shrestha, H.K., Khanal, M.P., Adhikari, K.N. (2022). Srengthening National Seed System for Food and Nutrition Security in Nepal. In: Timsina, J., Maraseni, T.N., Gauchan, D., Adhikari, J., Ojha, H. (eds) Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Security. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09555-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09555-9_6

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