Situation, Initiatives and Policy in
Support to Organic Rice in Nepal
Jyoti Baidya
General Situation of Organic Rice
• Nepalese agriculture is central to national economy
• Rice , Nepal's Major agriculture product
• The rice cultivation in Nepal started about 1,300 years ago
in Jumla, valley - well known local variety JUMLEE
MARSI.
• Traditional rice i.e. organic, covers about 26% area of
Nepal's hills and mountain territory.
• Growing realisation on the importance of organic farming
• Land as the primary factor of production, its ownership by
the producer is key to enhance the agriculture production
and productivity.
The Organic Rice Industry
• Rice as as prime crop of Nepal
• Covers 1.56 million ha with productivity of 3.06 ton/ha
and total production of more than 50,00,000 tons
annually
- contributing 20% of the agricultural GDP to the country.
• Limited organic rice production practice in the Terai.
• In hills and mountain-traditional rice production
practice.
• SRI- 1000 hectares, 1247 farmers in organic farming.
• Production in about 46% of the agricultural area as well
as employs 65.6% of the country’s population.
• Agriculture sector contributes 34 % of Gross Domestic
Product (GDP)
• Rice accounts for more than 20% of total Agriculture
GDP in Nepal.
Initiatives
• Several I/NGOs has established learning resource
centers and carried out :
- organic agriculture action research, field studies on
indigenous farming practices and local cultivars,
developed training courses, and disseminated
information and technologies to the farmers' and other
relevant stakeholders.
• Nepal Permaculture Group (NPG) in collaboration with
multi-stakeholders
been
implementing
various
programs through
• Networking with emphasis on policy formulation,
research, advocacy and lobbying in the field of organic
agriculture, sustainable development and permaculture.
• Though it is not fully grown industry, some practices of
organic rice production present.
• The progressive farmers, I/NGOs, CBOs, research
institutions such as:
• NARC, NARDEP, Agriculture department/district office
and technical staff, food traders including farmer's
cooperatives, organizations involved in organic
certification and consumers as the major stakeholders in
organic rice industry.
• The Government of Nepal currently drafting Agriculture
Development Strategy of Nepal considered as important
documents for the promotion of overall Agriculture
Development in Nepal.
Issues and Challenges
• Issues of farmers on land rights
• Impact of climate change in the productivity and
other resources related to efficient production
• Impact of food price volatility e.g. selling price and
income of farmers
Prospects and Opportunities of Industry
• Favourable policies and laws to promote organic rice
• Effective extension services and inputs
• Capacity building of the small holders including women and
youth farmers
• Value chain services eg. Formation of farmer's cooperatives,
processing units and market links
• Public awareness campaigns
• Research on rice technologies, seed improvement and organic
methods of pest and disease control.
• Market Opportunities
• Changing demand of the consumers – health and wellness at
the local, national and international
Thank-you
Presented By:
Jyoti Baidya