Protect Indigenous Seeds

Local seed varieties are becoming increasingly scarce across the country as farmers favour hybrid varieties for higher production. These hybrids tend to be more productive under optimal conditions, with higher profits. As a result, many farmers are turning away from farming that uses indigenous seeds, which have been cultivated for generations and suits the local soil and climate. This has threatened the biodiversity of local crops and undermined the agricultural traditions that are crucial for organic and healthy agro products. As per the news published in this daily, there has been a decline of local crop production in Dailekh district. It reflects a trend that endangers both agricultural diversity and food security. Farmers have shifted from local seeds in favour of hybrid and imported varieties for the sake of higher yields. This trend, however, has its own challenges and drawbacks.