Anil Kumar Acharya, Keshab Datta Joshi, Sunil Dhungel and Ganesh Acharya

Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED)

Corresponding author's e-mail: anil.acharya@ceapred.org.np

Abstract

The agro-climatic diversity of Nepal favors production of different vegetables, vegetable seeds, fruits, ornamental plants, flowers and herbs. They have comparative and competitive advantages both in local and export markets. However, Nepal is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and is the fourth among most vulnerable countries to climate change. For minimizing the effect of climate change and overuse of pesticides, different farming systems have been developed aligned with integrated pest management, safe food production, organic farming and climate smart agriculture (CMA). Since 2015, CEAPRED has been involved in the promotion of sustainable and environment friendly safe food production, therefore, this paper includes those key learnings of good practices and experiences. During implementation of “rural livelihoods and climate change adaptation,” “development of climate change resilient agriculture,” and “resilient mountain solutions” projects; CEAPRED has gained learnings to bring improvement in production and income of farmers through promotion of fresh as well as vegetable seeds, development of Package of Practices, installation of solar and dug-well irrigation, promotion of bio-insecticides, bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers including application of Jholmals, capacity strengthening, identification, selection, conservation and multiplication of potential local cultivars, establishment of CMA model farms, construction of soil-cement tanks, demonstration of wastewater collection ponds, promotion of participatory guarantee system (PGS), registration of PGS certified products under SINDHUKA brand, establishment of RMS Knowledge Park, and information and communication technology services to the beneficiary farmers. In collaboration, cooperation and partnership with related developmental partners, upscaling of these successful experiences may have positive impact to sustain wider-scale of development.

Keywords: Cultivars, Fruit crops, NARC, Post-harvest management, Registration, Recent technology