Nepal to guide farmers grow new varieties of crops

Nepal Agricultural Research Council has prepared to guide farmers to grow new varieties of crops, in a bid to fulfill the objectives determined by the Agriculture Perspective Plan.

At a press conference organized in Kathmandu Sunday, the council said that they are making the farmers self-reliant in the production of improved breeds of fish, mushroom, tomato and other vegetables.

Researchers at the council also suggested the possibility of producing improved varieties of onion and garlic in large quantities.

Although the council has been on the whole carrying out agricultural research works in a multi-dimensional way for increasing the livelihood of the farmers, it has not been able to carry out priority works due to the lack of agricultural scientists and adequate fund, Director of the council Ram Pratap Saha said.

According to the council, 80 million Nepali rupees (1.14 million US dollars) worth onion is imported from India and 60 million rupees (0.85 million dollars) worth garlic is imported from China every year.

"If the farmers produce these vegetables by using our own improved varieties of seeds, it would help save a great deal of our national income." Saha said.

The council laid emphasis on developing the necessary technology for processing tea, coffee, cardamom and medicinal herbs, special technology for producing organic manure, agriculture marketing, policy and socio-econmic study and research.

Meanwhile, the council also suggested the farmers to acquire appropriate information about the soil, water and environment and cultivate crops accordingly.

Source: Xinhua