Abstract

Nepal harbors a rich diversity of vegetable genetic resources, with 435 species across 15 agroecosystems,
constituting 6.6% of the country's agricultural genetic resources. This includes 7,500 landraces and 334 wild
vegetable species. Despite the release and registration of 344 varieties from 39 vegetable crops, 95% of these
are exotic, leading to a loss of 40% of the country's vegetable biodiversity. The National Genebank has adopted
four major conservation strategies: Ex-situ, On-farm, In-situ conservation, and Conservation breeding. A range
of conservation approaches, including seed banks, field genebanks, agro gene sanctuaries, DNA and tissue
banks, community genebanks, and crop-specific parks, have been deployed. Additionally, associated banks
like agro-insect field genebanks and herbal conservation gardens have been initiated. Currently, 952 accessions
of 46 vegetable crops are conserved within the National Genebank, while 257 accessions are stored in foreign
genebanks, 926 in the World Vegetable Center, and 25 accessions of 9 vegetable crops in USDA genebanks.
Nepal has also included 7 accessions of 4 vegetable crops under the Multilateral System of the International
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The main challenge is to enhance
the competitiveness of site-specific native vegetable crops by promoting their cultivation through ecological
agriculture, as foreign varieties undergo extensive testing and dominate the market. To address this, native
landraces, which are climate-resilient, nutrient-dense, and culturally significant, need greater focus in research,
education, extension, and marketing. Linking native vegetables to geographical indications and declaring broad
leaf mustard as the national vegetable could support the preservation and promotion of Nepal's vegetable
biodiversity. Expanding ecological agriculture that enhances the competitiveness of native crops is critical for
long-term sustainability.
Keywords: Accessions, Climate resilient, Conservation banks, Genetic erosion, Vegetable crop diversity