Nepali Farmers Gain More from Improved Local Rice Varieties

Ten years after the introduction of a rice breeding project in Begnas, Nepal, Nepali farmers are growing their own rice and successfully improving local varieties by cross-breeding. The global project, coordinated by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI, now known as Bioversity International), aims to help farmers find ways to conserve local varieties of crops in the face of a global trend of relying increasingly on “modern” varieties bred to survive in diverse growing conditions.

Nepali farmers were able to develop a new variety of Pokhareli Jethobudho rice, a local variety prized for its soft texture and unique aroma and taste. However, it has problems with “lodging” (falling over) and is susceptible to neck blast disease. By selective breeding, six lines of Jethobudho were chosen for their outstanding qualities. These lines will now become the basis of all future Jethobudho grown in the area.

 To read more, visit http://www.idrc.ca/reports/ev-110870-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.