Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seed Sector Development in Nepal: Opportunities and Options for Improvement

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Agricultural Transformation in Nepal

Abstract

The chapter analyzes the key issues and constraints in the seed sector in Nepal, which represents one of the most important inputs for agricultural productivity growth. It analyzes the options and opportunities for improvement in the seed sector and identifies policy recommendations for this sector’s development. The chapter suggests that a clearly designed seed policy should be developed to create enabling environments for public–private partnership and provide coherence for a level playing field for the development of a dynamic, pluralistic and sustainable seed system in Nepal.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The formal seed system is characterized by an institutionally organized production and distribution of improved varieties using officially defined quality assurance mechanism. The informal seed system (often referred to as farmers’ seed system) is characterized by traditional system of saving, production, exchange and management of seeds by farmers and communities to meet their seed requirements for subsequent planting.

  2. 2.

    The seed replacement rate (SRR) however does not provide true picture of number of households using improved quality seeds and the age of the varieties used by the farmers.

  3. 3.

    The recently revised Seed Regulation (2013) has some relaxation for the registration of local farmers’ varieties (such as requirement of only one year data and no need of DUS test requirement), but farmers’ varieties adapted well and preferred by the farmers are not being adequately released and registered due to lack of well-defined implementation guidelines and lack of awareness of the provisions of relaxed registration process for local varieties.

  4. 4.

    Seed crop is a long duration and risky commodity as compared to crop grown for food production. Hence, it requires adequate support to mitigate the risks from adverse production environments (climatic, pest) and marketing risks (price and product sale), particularly for resource constrained farm households.

  5. 5.

    Community seed bank (CSB) is defined as a community-based effort to conserve and use both local and improved varieties for ensuring food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers (Sthapit 2013; Vernooy et al. 2015). These community seed banks are owned, controlled and governed by local community and are relatively inexpensive as they operate employing simple low-cost storage technologies at the local level.

References

  • Almekinders, C. J. M., & de Boef, W. S. (Eds.). (2000). Encouraging diversity. Plant genetic resource conservation and crop development (pp. 330–338). London: IT Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bista, D. R., Dhungel, S., & Adhikari, S. (2016). Status of fertilizer and seed subsidy in Nepal: Review and recommendation. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 17, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, J. P., & Byerlee, D. (1991). The rate of crop varietal replacement on farms: Measures and empirical results for wheat. Plant Varieties Seeds, 4, 99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • CBS. (2013). National sample census of agriculture Nepal, 2011/12. Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu.

    Google Scholar 

  • CDD. (2015). Rice varietal mapping in Nepal: Implication for development and adoption. Crop Development Directorate (CDD), Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agricultural Development, Government of Nepal, Hariharbhavan, Lalitpur, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evenson, R. E., & Gollin, D. (2003). Crop genetic improvement in developing countries: Overview and summary. In R. E. Evenson & D. Gollin (Eds.), Crop variety improvement and its effect on productivity (pp. 7–38). Oxford: CABI Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • FAO. (2011). Strengthening seed systems: Gap analysis of the seed sector. Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). Thirteenth regular session, Rome 18–22. July 2011. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAOSTAT. (2014). Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation. Rome, Italy. Website http://faostat3.fao.org/home/index.html#DOWNLOAD.

  • Gauchan, D. (2017). Research and support services in seed production and supply in Nepal. In M. P. Khanal & R. P. Adhikari (Eds.), Seed industry development in Nepal. National Seed Submit. Kathmandu, Nepal: Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauchan, D., Thapa Magar, D. B., & Gautam, S. (2016a). Rice seed production and marketing practices in Nepal. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 17, 111–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauchan, D., Pant, K. P., & Joshi, B. K. (2016b). Economic benefits of foreign sourced germplasm in domestic crop improvement program: A case of an improved Khumal-4 rice variety in Nepal. Agronomy Journal of Nepal, 4, 107–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gauchan, D., & Dongol, D. (2015). Country report for wheat and maize expert elicitation studies, Nepal. CIMMYT/NARC, Nepal. Strengthening Impact Assessment in CGIAR (SIAC) Project. USA: Michigan University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauchan, D., Thapa Magar, D. B., Gautam, S., Singh, S., & Singh, U. S. (2014). Strengthening seed system for rice seed production and supply in Nepal. IRRI-NARC collaborative EC-IFAD funded project on Seed Net Development. Socioeconomics and Agricultural Research Policy Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal. 40p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauchan, D., Pant, H. K., Gautam, S., & Nepali, M. B. (2012). Patterns of adoption of improved rice varieties and farm level impact in stress prone rainfed areas of Nepal. In S. Pandey, D. Gauchan, M. Malabayabas, M. Bool-Emerick, & B. Hardy (Eds.), Patterns of adoption of improved rice varieties and farm-level impacts in stress-prone rainfed areas in South Asia (p. 318). Los Baños, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauchan, D., & Pandey, S. (2011). Is investment in rice research in Nepal adequate and balanced across production environments? Some empirical evidence. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, 50(4), 305–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurung, R., Palikhe, E., Sthapit, S., Pudasaini, N., Subedi, A., Gauchan, D., & Sthapit, B. (2016). Seed systems and management practices of high altitude traditional crops in Nepal. A paper presented in International Conference on Mountains in Changing World, October 2–3, 2016. Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • IFAD. (2015). Improved Seeds for Farmers’ Programme (Kisankalagi Unnat Biubijan Karyakaram). Review of seed component activities, Main report and Appendices, KUBK-ISFP, 23 November–31 December, 2015, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • IRRI. (2014). Annual report 2014. IRRI (International Rice Research Institute). Bangladesh, India and Nepal sign historic agreement in the evaluation of rice varieties. http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2014/10/bangladesh-india-and-nepal-sign.html.

  • Joshi, B. K., Bhatt, M. R., Ghimire, K. H., Chaudhary, P., & Singh, D. (2016). Mapping and measuring the flow and interdependence of plant genetic resources. Chapter II. In B. K. Joshi, P. Chaudhary, D. Upadhyay, & R. Vernooy, (Eds.). Implementing the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Nepal: Achievements and Challenges. LI-BIRD, NARC, MoAD and Bioversity International 2016. p. 134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, K. D., Conroy, C., & Witcombe, J. R. (2012). Agriculture, seed and innovation in Nepal: Industry and policy for the future. Paper, Dec. 2012, IFPRI, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, K. D., Khanal, N. P., Harris, D., Khanal, N. N., Sapkota, A., Khadka, K., et al. (2014). Regulatory reform of seed systems: Benefits and impacts from a mungbean case study in Nepal. Field Crops Research, 158(2014), 15–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kansiime, M. K., & Mastenbroek, A. (2016). Enhancing resilience of farmer seed system to climate-induced stresses: Insights from a case study in West Nile region, Uganda. Journal of Rural Studies, 47(2016), 220–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khanal, M. (2017). Seed quality assurance and marketing system in Nepal. In M. P. Khanal & R. P. Adhikari (Eds.), Seed Industry Development in Nepal. National Seed Submit, 2015. Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC), Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louwaars, N. P., & de Boef, W. S. (2012). Integrated seed sector development in Africa: A conceptual framework for creating coherence between practices, programmes, and policies. Journal of Crop Improvement, 26, 39–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mallik, R. N. (1981). Rice in Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal: KalaPrakasan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. L., Dubin, H. J., & Pokherel, T. (1994). Returns to wheat breeding research in Nepal. Agricultural Economics, 10, 269–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MoAD. (2013). National Seed vision 2025, Seed Act (1988) amended in 2008 and Seed Regulation (2013). National Seed Board (NSB), Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD), Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoAD. (2015). Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS). Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD), Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naseem, A., Spielman, D. J., & Omamo, S. W. (2010). Private-sector investment in R&D: A review of policy options to promote its growth in developing-country agriculture. Agribusiness, 26(1), 143–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pray, C. E., & Ramaswami, B. (1991). A framework for seed policy analysis in developing countries. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute

    Google Scholar 

  • Sah, R. P., & Gill, G. S. (2014). Policy recommendations for enhancing private sector investment in seed business in Nepal. Private sector seed report, IFPRI/USAID, Institute of Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), November 14, 2014, Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha, P., Gezu, G., Swain, S., Lassaigne, B., Subedi, A., & De Boef, W. S. (2013). The community seed bank: A common driver for community biodiversity management. In W. S. De Boef, A. Subedi, N. Peroni & M. Thijssen (Eds.), Community biodiversity management: Promoting resilience and the conservation of plant genetic resources. London, UK: Earthscan from Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielman, D. J., & Kennedy, A. (2016). Towards metrics and policymaking for seed system development: Insights form Asia’s seed Industry. Agricultural System, 147, 111–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sthapit, B. (2013). Emerging theory and practice: Community seed banks, seed system resilience and food security. In P. Shrestha, R. Vernooy & P. Chaudhary (Eds.), Community seed banks in Nepal: Past, present, future. Proceedings of a National Workshop. LI-BIRD/USC Canada/Oxfam/The Development Fund/IFAD/Bioversity International, 14–15, June 2012, Pokhara, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • SQCC. (2015). Notified varieties of crops in Nepal. Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC), Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD), Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • SQCC. (2016). Annual progress and third trimester review of FY 2016/17 (2072/73) of Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC). A paper presented in third trimester and annual progress review and subcommittee meeting of development problem resolving Ministerial level meeting, Ministry of Agricultural Development, Kathmandu.

    Google Scholar 

  • SQCC. (2017). Proceedings National Seed Summit, September 14–15, 2015, Kathmandu. Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC), Ministry of Agricultural Development, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stads, G.-J., Shrestha, H. K., Manandhar, H. K., & Gao, L. (2015). Agricultural R&D indicators factsheet, February 2015. Agricultural Science Technology Indicators (ASTI) led by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripp, R. (2003). How to cultivate a commercial seed sector? Paper prepared for the symposium “Sustainable agriculture in the Sahel”. Bamako, Mali, December 1–5, 2003. London: Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

    Google Scholar 

  • USAID. (2014). Enabling agricultural trade (EAT): Regional trade in seed, fertilizer and strategic grains—a review of the legal, regulatory and is intuitional constraints to growth across south Asia. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nepal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasco, M. L., Tsusaka, T. W., & Yamano, T. (2013). Tracking of improved varieties in South Asia (TRIVSA). TRIVSA Synthesis Report on Rice. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Los Banos, Philippines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernooy, R., Bessette, G., & Rudebjer, P. (Eds.). (2016). Resource box for resilient seed systems: Handbook. Rome, Italy: Bioversity International. http://www.bioversityinternational.org/e-library/publications/detail/resource-box-for-resilient-seed-systems-handbook/.

  • Vernooy, R., Shrestha, P., & Sthapit, B. (Eds.). (2015). Community seed banks: Origins, evolution and prospects. London: Routledge. Available http://www.bioversityinternational.org/e-library/publications/detail/community-seed-banks-origins-evolution-and-prospects.

  • Witcombe, J. R., Lal, K. K., & Joshi, K. D. (2008). Scoping study on adoption of rice varieties from Client-Oriented Breeding in the Nepal Rice Innovation System. Kathmandu, Nepal: CAZS Natural Resources, Bangor University.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank Group. (2016). Enabling the business of agriculture 2016: Comparing regulatory good practices. Washington, DC: The World Bank.

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioversity International Nepal Office, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Devendra Gauchan

Authors
  1. Devendra Gauchan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Devendra Gauchan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Visiting Scientist, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Patan, Nepal

    Ganesh Thapa

  2. Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), New Delhi, India

    Anjani Kumar

  3. Former Director, South Asia Office, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India

    P.K. Joshi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Gauchan, D. (2019). Seed Sector Development in Nepal: Opportunities and Options for Improvement. In: Thapa, G., Kumar, A., Joshi, P. (eds) Agricultural Transformation in Nepal. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9648-0_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9648-0_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-32-9647-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-32-9648-0

  • eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation