Nepal: Surkhet, which once imported seeds, now exports them

SURKHET, July 28: Khadka Bahadur Khatri of Gurvakot Municipality-7 of Surkhet had to go to the headquarters Birendranagar to buy seeds as early as 10 years ago. He has been practicing traditional farming and is now a seed producer himself. Khatri has been producing seeds of okra and paddy for two seasons, on 10 kathas of land. Seed production has now become the main source of income for his six-member family. "Earlier, it was difficult to get seeds. But now we are self-sufficient in seeds. There is no problem marketing the products," he said, "We are earning Rs 300,000 to Rs 400,000 annually by selling seeds." He has been producing seeds of corn, rice, wheat, almonds etc. on eight hectares of land. The Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CIPRED) has formed various farmer groups and launched vegetable and vegetable seed production programs. Through this, Pabitra Jankalyan Farmers' Cooperative Organization is producing and marketing ...