NEPAL

Pulses are an essential source of protein and minerals for much of the Indian and global populations, to reflect this the UN has named 2016 as the ‘’International Year of Pulses.’ A recent IFPRI discussion paper investigates the trends and outlook for both global and regional pulse economies, looking at the supply, demand, trade, prices, and outlook of the pulse sector during the last three decades.

In May 2016, a conference was organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Rajendara Agricultural University (RAU) to discuss how to best promote large-scale agricultural mechanization in the state of Bihar. The challenges to mechanization in the state include small landholdings; the high cost of renting farm equipment, particularly for smallholder farmers; low agricultural output and subsequent low incomes; and lack of access to credit and financing.

A training on DNA-based GMO detection for Seed Testing and Certification was organised for policy makers from Government of Nepal.

In April 2015, Nepal experienced a catastrophic earthquake of 7.6 magnitude, followed by more than 300 aftershocks causing about 9000

Agriculture being major source of livelihood and employment in Nepal, and is effected by low productivity, traditional farming practice and lack of connectivity with markets. Fragmented landholding with limited access to market and knowledge to sell its produce results in slow progress. Promotion of contract farming would lead to improved access to technology, markets and credit, reducing transaction costs and increasing efficiency in production and marketing. This would enable small scale enterprises to mitigate risks while creating a climate for entrepreneurship.  Contract farming in fact has the potential to reduce poverty by raising farmers’ incomes.

Eighty percent of the population in Nepal lives in rural areas and depends heavily on agriculture as a source of

How to fast track the development and release of improved varieties of seeds in Nepal? What are quality assurances? How