Cornell inaugurates new seed systems initiative in Nepal

Sarala-Sharma, fourth from left,'plant pathologist'with'the'Nepal'Agricultural-Research'Council,'gives'farmers'a'field'tour'as'part'of'the'Seed Systems for Nepal inauguration-activities. 'I have been farming for the last 50 years. I have seen production dwindling slowly and steadily, erratic climatic conditions, bad seeds and lack of finance as key issues which have led to the fall of prosperity for farmers,' said Hari Baktha Dhakal from the Chitwan region of Nepal, one of more than 200 farmers who gathered for the inauguration of the Seed Systems for Nepal initiative Jan. 23. 'We are working closely with farmers in Nepal and partnering with the Agriculture and Forestry University, or AFU, on quality seed production, processing and distribution,' said Maricelis Acevedo, associate director of science for the Delivering Genetic Gain in Wheat (DGGW) project at Cornell, which is helping spearhead the initiative. 'The 200 farmers will form the basis of the new seed 'village? that is being developed to help produce quality seed in Nepal. This is a unique seed initiative within the DGGW where we are working directly with farmers.' Acevedo was one of three Cornell faculty attending the event, along with Ronnie Coffman, director of International Programs, and K.V. Raman, plant breeder and geneticist.