Promotion of Participatory Agrobiodiversity Conservation Approach for enhancing Livelihoods of Poor Rainfed Farmers of Nepal

Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Khajura initiated the implementation of agro-biodiversity conservation activities under Western Terai Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP) in mid-westernterai (Bardia) and far western terai (Kailali and Kanchanpur) during the year 2008-2011, with an objective to enhance the livelihoods of the poor rainfed farmers and conservation of agro-biodiversity conservation good practices. Four agro-biodiversity conservation practices i.e. zero tillage, pilot demonstration and production of HNPV in farm level, verification and validation of stress tolerance rice and UG99 wheat and pigeonpea in degraded lands and agro-forestry system were successfully conducted. Significant achievements were made in identification of suitable stress tolerance rice (submergence and drought tolerance). ZTD wheat sowing has been adopted by the farmers of Kailali and Kanchanpur. Introduction of farmers' preferred UG99 wheat var. NL1073 which was preferred by the farmers for its high yield disease free traits. Under capacity building a total of 192 farmers were trained under stress tolerance rice, Ug99 wheat, and ZTD and pigeonpea package of practices in agro-forestry system. Farmers were trend with IPM component for effective pest management. This project helps to establishing strong linkage with line agencies and other stakeholders for delivery of suitable agricultural technology to the farming community for agro-biodiversity conservation in the region