Center Provides NPR 50 Million Grant to Farmers in 70 Local Levels for Local Crop Production

Kathmandu. The Crop Development and Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Center has provided grants worth NPR 50 million to farmers in 70 local levels with the objective of increasing the production of endangered local crops.

The grant has been provided for the conservation of local crops that are at risk due to the increasing use of imported seeds and chemical fertilizers.

The center, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, has been distributing grants for organic farming. The center is also operating a native crop conservation program.

Center Chief Keshav Devkota said that work is being done on policy management along with financial assistance to farmers for the conservation, promotion, research, and marketing of local crops. He stated that effective policies and programs are necessary for the conservation of local crops.

The center has stated that financial assistance has been provided targeting local levels, agricultural cooperatives, and farmer groups for the identification, cultivation expansion, research, seed development, and production and promotion of seeds suitable for the local climate of local crops and species that are on the verge of extinction.

The goal is to expand the cultivation of local food grains, conserve native crops, and improve farmers' income through this. The center has been coordinating with local levels to increase the use of nutritious local crops to ensure food and nutrition security, provide farmers with native seeds, transfer technology, and develop value chains.

The goal is to support the increase in local production and marketing through the native crop promotion and conservation program.