Kathmandu, Dec 5: A project is to be implemented in Province 1 to strengthen rice seed production, supply and quality control system.    

The project shall be implemented in mainly Jhapa, Morang, Sunasari and Udayapur districts. The purpose of the project is “to strengthen Rice seed production, supply and quality control system” to improve productivity of rice by means of dissemination of quality improved seeds in Province No.1 and to Strengthen the implementation of the rice seed production, supply and quality control system in Nepal.    

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a Record of Discussions with the Government of Nepal for the technical cooperation project, “Strengthening Seed Production, Supply and Quality Control System Project” in this connection.    

The implementation period of the project is for 5 years (2022 March to 2027 March) and the Executing agency is Seed Quality Control Center (SQCC), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), and Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoLMAC) of province No.1, JICA stated in a press release.    

Rice is a fundamental crop of Nepali agriculture. Everyone eats it, and farmers gain income out of it. In order to make crops tasty, nutritious, and productive, the most important factor remains the quality of rice seeds. Even though rice farming contributes around 15 % of the National GDP of Nepal, there is still a possibility to increase its yield therefore usage of improved Seed and increasing the replacement rate of seed are the key.    

According to the statistic, the seed replacement rate of rice in Nepal is around 20% now, therefore, Nepal Government has the strategy to raise the percentage to 25 per cent. And it is estimated that the use of improved seeds with good quality will increase its yield by 15%.

However, there are several processes before farmers can use the improved seeds with good quality, it is necessary to improve the quality of the system and capacity to produce the quality seed in Nepal. In this context, holistic support for improving seed production was requested from JICA.    

The Project is expected to contribute to the sustainable social and economic development of Nepal during and after the implementation period of the project.