Kathmandu. 15th Horticulture Conference commenced today in Kathmandu, organized jointly by the Nepal Horticulture Society and the National Centre for Potato, Vegetable, and Spice Crops Development.
In his inaugural address, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Ram Nath Adhikari emphasized the crucial role of all concerned bodies in ensuring the production and effective distribution of high-quality seeds in Nepal. He stated that seeds are the foundation of agricultural production and that a collaborative effort is needed to improve seed quality.
Minister Adhikari also highlighted the significance of the potato and spice crop sectors and stressed that government, non-governmental organizations, and private sectors must all work together to drive growth in these areas. He underscored the importance of conserving Nepal’s native seeds and informed the attendees about recent amendments to the Seed Vision regulation.
With the encroachment of farmland traditionally used for government-level seed production, Nepal has increasingly relied on imported seeds. To address this, the Ministry has partnered with the private sector to develop strategies to reduce dependence on foreign seed imports.
The conference, which will span two days, features discussions on various topics, including the production of potato, spice, and vegetable seeds, ethnic development, market trends, pricing, climate change, biodiversity, and seed-related laws. Government bodies, seed specialists, producers, and farmers are participating in the event, aiming to foster collaboration and drive the sector’s development.