Assessing potential local crop genetic resources in Nepal

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Shree Kumar Maharjan
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHT of LI-BIRD

Community-based biodiversity management (CBM) is a community driven participatory approach to strengthen the capacity of local institutions and farming communities for sustainable management of biodiversity which promotes social, economic and environmental benefits. Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) in the partnership with Department of Agriculture (DoA), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative (MoAC) are jointly implementing the project in 10 districts (Doti, Humla, Dang, Nawalparasi, Mustang, Tanahun, Sindhuli, Jhapa, Kaski and Bara) of Nepal. This research highlight is based on the experiences and information of the project sites.

The Diversity Fair is one of the most popular and useful participatory methods for raising awareness from local community to policy levels. Total species exhibited in the fair shows the diversity richness of the particular locality. On the basis of this, diversity within that locality can be assessed. So, it is important activities for awareness raising and understanding the local biodiversity which ultimately helps in promoting conservation and use of local plant genetic resources. In 2008, total 1170 species/varieties of plants (based on farmers name) documented by organizing diversity fair in project sites. Among the project sites, Far-Western region showed the highest biodiversity richness, followed by eastern hill districts and high hills seem poor in terms of biodiversity. This may be due to altitudinal variation (ranges 1000-2400 m in Ghanteshwor VDC in Doti district) which creates micro-climatic niches, ethnic diversity and associated crop genetic resources and knowledge, cropping season per year and local seed system.

In order to document the species displayed during the diversity fair and the local knowledge on plant genetic resource, Community Biodiversity Registration process was initiative by the project. This method was taken of significance to document the valuable information of locally available bio-resources as well as exploring the social, economic and environments benefits to the local communities. Each ward of the project implemented VDC has maintained CBR registers (Kunjo of Mustang maintain 6 registers). The information documented in register shows the local names, habitats, propagation techniques, importance, trend, availability, resource persons.


The documented species was further validated by using Four Cell Analysis (FCA). It is simple and participatory tool efficient for classifying the genetic resources documented in CBR, diversity fair into four different cells with two indicators viz. area coverage and no. of farmers maintaining the particular species/varieties. The farming communities easily identified and classified available genetic resources into large area/many farmers, large area/few farmers, small area/many farmer and small area/few farmers (vulnerable/endangered crop species) within their locality. Farmers of Syanda VDC, Humla identified Marse as potential value addition crops and Jhinuwa was identified as vulnerable genetic resource having small area coverage and few household adopting it.

After the organizing Focus Group Discussion (FGD), diversity fairs, CBR documentation and FCA, the project was successful in identifying site specific potential bio-resources having globally and locally importance. These results were shared with farmers to know why particular variety is considered by farmers as potential crop with large area or small area and which crops has potential for improvement and value addition. On the basis of sharing and discussion with communities, village level action plan was prepared by respective sites to conserve, utilize and manage those identified unique species by the assessment process in 2009. The table shows the identified potential crop genetic resources in different project sites of CBM in 2008.
Project sites Potential crop genetic resources

High Hill districts
Syanda VDC, Humla Marse (6), Choto (3-4), Barley, Buckwheat
Kunjo VDC, Mustang Wild Edible Mushrooms(23)Kande Makai Beans (14), Potato, Buckwheat

Hilly districts
Ghanteshwor VDC, Doti Legume (41), NTFPs (202), Local Wheat (18)
Purkot VDC, Tanahun Local Banana (14)
Ratanchura VDC, Sindhuli Finger Millet (12), Chilli (16), Citrus spp.

Terai districts
Rampur VDC, Dang Tilki Rice
Agyauli VDC, Nawalparasi Jhinuwa, Kalo Masino Rice, Oal , Banana
Shivagunj VDC, Jhapa Rice (36), Oal, Banana
A self-motivated person with strong leadership, great communication and computer skills and a track record of executing programs proficiently to exceed organizational and operational goals. Always prefer to be highly professional and efficient leader in the field of international development and portfolio management to resolve the issues and concerns of poor, marginalized and indigenous peoples through consolidated efforts and innovative work techniques

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