Binayak Kunwar (29)

Assignment

        Status of Agricultural Genetic Resources of Kaski, Nepal

Crop genetic resources constitute an important aspect of biodiversity conservation, both because of their direct value to the farmers and due to their indirect global value. These resources play invaluable roles in different facets of life regardless of their source and origin. A large percentage of these resources have not been studied and are threatened by extinction due to the activities of earth dominant species. Due to geographical, ecological and socio-cultural variations, it has contributed to the extraordinary biological diversity in the country.  Nepal, being the hub of biodiversity, the germplasm is decreasing due to lack of conservation practices.

Map of Kaski district

Kaski district is the major source of genetic resources of the country with 18.6% upper tropical, 29.4% sub tropical, 16.6% temperate, 12.1% sub alpine, 14.8% alpine, 7.4% nival and 0.6% Trans-Himalayan region. The district is major producers of vegetables and fruits. The district focuses on both on season and off season vegetables. The appreciable number of landraces i.e. 6 exists in case of bitter gourd, 4 in snake gourd, 4 in sponge gourd, 3 in pumpkin and 3 in Dolichos bean. Vegetables like broad leaf mustard and radish, though most common and important winter vegetable, have the least diversity with one landrace each. More diversity of vegetable landraces are observed in summer as compared to winter season mainly because there is less intervention on summer season vegetables from research and development agencies including multinational seed companies.

Bean cultivation 

Vegetable landraces are also grown in association with cereals. Mixing cowpea, beans, soybean with maize are very common. A few vines of cucurbits are usually grown in or around the home yard. Small trees around the house are utilized to support the vines. Taro is also mixed cropped with maize. Kathmandu local, Snow best, Milky way, White top varieties of cauliflower, Green top, Nepal star, Ruby king varieties of cabbage, Trishuli, Mandir varieties of French bean, No-324, Sela-464 varieties of cowpea, Mino early long white, Tokinashi, Mino early hybrid varieties of radish, Bhaktapur local of cucumber are widely grown here. Kaski is major producer of Tomato, especially under plastic house. Srijana, Improved Srijana, Manisha, Cherry varieties are widely grown. Kaski is the major hub of potato production. Janakdev, Khumal seto -1 and Khumal rato -1, Nepali red potato, MS and British blue diamond type varieties are grown widely. Oil seed crops lie mustard, rapeseed are grown. Paddy varieties like Hardinath-1, Sabitri, Radha-4, wheat varieties like Binayak, Siddhartha, maize varieties like Manakamana-1, Manakamana-3, Arun-2, oats , barley are grown here. Avocado, citrus, pomegranate, Litchi are also well grown here. Cash crops such as tea, coffee are under good production in Kaski. The wild fruits such as Aiselu, Kafal, Lapsi are also the major attraction.

Sirjana variety tomato cultivation 

The introduction of hybrid varieties in recent years has created genetic vulnerability to landraces and improved varieties of the region. Urbanization and access to market have been found to play a pivotal role in accelerating the loss of vegetable landraces diversity. Commercialization of vegetables is also equally contributed to varietal erosion. Several landraces are in danger to be endangered. Those germplasms may have potential value either as donor parent or a commercial variety. Therefore, their actual value needs to be assessed. Direct observation on-farm and participatory evaluation of such landraces would provide a basis for rejuvenation, commercialization and source for future breeding. However, use of molecular techniques would be necessary at some point to identify rare genetic traits. Participatory Variety Selection is quite successful in providing a basket of varietal choice to farming communities to choose from. Government, in collaboration with local bodies should work together to conserve the germplasm both ex-situ and in-situ to prevent it from being extinct.