FAO Representation Office

in Nepal

For a world without hunger Page 1

Number 02– March, 2015

Experts emphasize on strengthening forest tenure for sustaining livelihoods

FAO Nepal News Bulletin Bi-monthly

A two-day Asia Regional Inception Workshop on Strengthening

Forest Tenure for Sustaining Livelihoods and Generating Income was

jointly organized by Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC)

and UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Kathmandu on 11

-12 February with facilitation and support under Technical Coopera-

tion Programme of FAO.

Nepal, Cambodia and Viet Nam are the pilot countries to work

with FAO to establish best practices. Delivering

key-note address, Mr. Sharad Chandra Poudel

Secretary at Ministry of Forest and Soil Conser-

vation stressed on the need of further promo-

tion of the community forests.

Stating that the 40% of land mass of Nepal

two million households are dependent on forest

product for energy in Nepal, Secretary Poudel

highlighted recently approved Forest Policy 2015 that came up with

the government commitment of reforming forest tenure through

appropriate policy provisions.

In a message to the workshop, Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant

Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.

Minister at the Ministry of Agricultural Development, Mr. Hari Prasad Parajuli inaugurat-ed the Regional Workshop on Pesticide Management in Kath-mandu on 26 January,

2015. In his inaugural address, Minister Parajuli emphasized im-portance of agriculture in the country's economic and social develop-ment, and integrated pest and pesticide management in achieving sustainable food security without compromising environmental and people’s health. The opening session was chaired by Dr. Udaya Chandra Thakur, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agricultural Development. Dr. Somsak Pipoppinyo, FAO Country Representative, in his welcome address to the delegates and guests, wished the workshop to be successful in

achieving its objectives. The opening session was also addressed by the Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) and Senior FAO Plant Protection Officer Dr. Yongfan Piao, the Director General of the De-partment of Agriculture in Nepal Dr. Yuwak Dhowaj G C and the Pro-gramme Director of the Plant Protection Di r e c t o r a t e (PPD) i n t h e Department Dr. Dilli Ram Sharma.

contd. in page 4

Regional Workshop on Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management

——————————PREPRESS edited copy of March Issue———

said, “Recognition of the importance of strengthening community

forest tenure, both from policy and institutional capacity perspec-

tives, to ensure livelihoods and increase income of forest dependent

peopleis well-reflected in the development priorities of these pilot

countries.” Dr. Somasak Pipoppinyo FAO Representative in Nepal,

who read out the message of ADG Konuma extend good wishes to

the participants for the success of the workshop. Dr. Rajan Kumar

Pokharel, Director General at Dept. of Forest,

highlighted on strengthening forest tenure

through community-based forest management

modalities and arrangements for equitable

benefits sharing in Nepal.Mr. Bishwa Nath Oli,

Joint-secretary at MoFSC welcomed the partici-

pants on behalf of the organizers.

Experts from FAO Regional Office Bangkok

Patrick Durst, Yurdi Yasmi and Ganga Dahal, and Country Director of

ICUN Yam Malla facilitated the workshop. The participants visited

leasehold and community forests in Kabhrepalanchok district.

(See also http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/rap/files

meetings/2015/150211_concept_note_and_agenda.pdf)

FAO Nepal News Bulletin

For a world without hunger page 2

The TCP project of the FAO “Policy assistance for Biosecure agro-food chain for enhanced market access and food security for the smallhold-ing rural sector” was implemented during September 2012 to Decem-ber 2014. As the set objectives of the project, Biosecurity status of the country was assessed and report on “Biosecurity Status of Food and Agriculture in Nepal” was published. National Biosecurity Policy and biosecurity bill were developed and submitted to the government for approval process. Biosecurity and risk analysis trainings were provided

to government staff, private food and agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers. Also, national food control system was strengthened through development of food standards and capacity enhancement of National Codex Committee. Food standards of exportable commodities were also developed and submitted to the government for approval pro-cess. As a part of capacity building output of the project, a policy mak-ers level biosecurity workshop was organized in Lalitpur on 16 Decem-ber 2014 with the objectives of sharing outputs of the project and finding way forward. A total of 30 high level policy makers of the gov-ernment participated in the programme. The workshop chaired by Mr. Jaya Mukunda Khanal, Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development

decided several way forwards that include approval of the national biosecurity policy as an umbrella policy, development of good practic-es standards, setting up a biosecurity desk in each of the related de-partments and development of a new project for implementation of the biosecurity policy at wider scale. The final sharing workshop of the project was conducted in Kathmandu on 22nd December 2014 with the objectives to share the outputs of the project with stakeholders and to get commitment of relevant agencies of the government and other stakeholders for implementation of the project results. The workshop chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Develop-ment and participated by the major stakeholders formally took the outputs of the project for further process of implementation.

Policy assistance for Biosecure food security

Regional Support Unit and Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Unit (SAARC) of FAO based in Nepal is closely monitoring Avian influenza outbreak of which occurs from time to time in Nepal. Avian influenza is caused by avian influenza viruses (AIVs), which belong to genus Type A Influenza viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family. The AIVs are sub-classified as high pathogenic (HPAIV) and low pathogenic (LPAIV) based on their pathogenicity to domestic poultry. LPAIV infections are eco-nomically important. The major signs are loss in egg production by layers and weight gain by broilers apart from the birds' associated mortality. The clinical signs among the affected birds vary considerably from nil to low or moderate illness. The mostcommon LPAIV infection in poultry is reported due to H9N2 subtype in Nepal. The most common HPAIV infection in poultry reported in Nepal is due to H5N1 subtype. As updated, HPAIV surveillance in Nepal has been categorized into high (20), medium (21) and low (34) risk districts with 6 wild water bird zones. The first case of bird flu (H5N1 Clade 2.2) was re-ported in Nepal in 2009 in Jhapa district, the farthest eastern district bor-dering India and near to Siliguri, Darjeeling district of West Bengal a major marketing state. The outbreak occurred in areas of high poultry density with mixed peri-urban small to medium sized commercial producers and backyard flocks. The subsequent outbreak of bird flu (H5N1 Clade 2.3.2, now classified as 2.3.2.1a) was first reported in 2010 in Kaski district that later spread to Tanahu and other six districts along the east-west high- way between Chitwan and Kailali. This clade type was first of this in the south Asia at the time of outbreak; however this clade is closely related to isolates from India and Bangladesh. There are 216 outbreaks covering 18 districts. The massive outbreak occurred in 2013 accounted for more than half of the outbreaks alone. The subsequent outbreak of bird flu H5N1 Clade 2.3.2 (now classified as 2.3.2.1a) The H5N1 Clade 2.3.2 type bird flu outbreaks were also reported in 2014. The population of poultry in Nepal increased from 2010 to 2013 by 55% (53 to 82 million) that also included an increase by 25.3% in the num-ber of layers due mainly to old-aged layers. Poultry density is intensifying and many new poultry producers, sometimes with little training or experi-ence, are entering into the business. During 2012 and 2013 and single outbreak in 2014, all identified H5N1 isolates are 2.3.2.1a, suggesting internal recycling of virus in Nepal. Information from the poultry producer association reveals previously undeclared infections in commercial units in Chitwan and neighbouring poultry production districts, where broiler breeders, egg layer breeders and the majority of long-lived commercial chicken egg layers are raised. These producers have reported an increas-ing number of outbreaks during the past year as compared with previous years. From Chitwan, poultry supply channels reach out along east west highway and to Kaski and as well as to Kathmandu valley. There is no new outbreak reported after 2014. However, there is an urgent need for detail evaluation of AI virus incurred economic loss in poultry industry. Intensive surveillance with data sharing, either bilateral or through international agencies, and creation of awareness on biosecurity measures among the stake- holders of poultry industry would result in better management of AI virus infection. Continuous characterization of the circulating AI strains would help in understanding evolution of the viruses and identifying the public health risk posed by them.

Avian Influenza status in Nepal

For a world without hunger page 3

FAO Nepal News Bulletin

IPC-Chronic Finalization Workshop

Finalization Workshop on IPC–Chronic was organized in Lalitpur on 23 Feb, 2015. Speaking from the Chair, Dr Dinesh Prasad Parajuli, Coor-dinator of IPC National Tech-nical Working Group and Joint Secretary of Ministry of Agricultural Development, said that IPC Chronic would be instrumental in linking the Acute and Chronic Situation of Food insecurity. Dr Parajuli assured that the Government of Nepal would own all the process and output of the analysis. Twenty-four participants representing government and non- government agencies attended the finalization workshop. Mr Shrawan Adhikary, FAO Program Officer, Mr Pushpa Shrestha, NEKSAP Coordinator of WFP and Mr. Hem Raj Regmi, Un-der Secretary of MoAD emphasized on strengthening and institution-alizing IPC tools. The workshop focused on three agenda: completing the incomplete section of IPC Informatio Support System (ISS) portal of Nepal, strengthening of justification and analysis of underlying factors of food security and reviewing the outcome classification. Different five groups worked separately to finalize the analysis for 13 sub-regions of Nepal. All the feedbacks and recommendations from Quality Review are incorporated in analysis.

FAO in collaboration with National Peasant Coalition Nepal organized an interaction pro-gram "Dialogue on Right to Food and Food Sovereignty with CA Members" on 7 Feb. 2015 in Kathmandu. Mr. Hari Prasad Parajuli, Minister in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and chief guest to the pro

gram, declared 'Right to Food' as a universally accepted people's right to honor by the state. Welcoming the participants, Dr. Somsak Pippopinyo said that farmers should have been consulted in development of any 'Right to Food' related framework. Former Minister Ganesh Shah, Mr. Bhanu Sigdel, Chairperson of Ne pal Farmer Association, Mrs. Sharmila Karki, President of NGO Federation of Nepal and Mrs. Sabitra Bhusal, General Secretary of Inter-party Women Network stressed on the need of awareness among farmers on their rights to be incorporated in the constitutional framework. Mr. Chitra Bahadur Shrestha, chairperson of All Nepal Peasants Federation (revolutionary) chaired the program attended by 70 participants comprising of Constituent Assembly (CA) members, members of civil society, professional organizations and NGOs.

Dialogue with Lawmakers on Right to Food

Pro-poor Policy and Risk and Vulnerability

A “Workshop cum Training on the Use of Poverty and Vulnerability Assessment Tool (quantitative tool) and Participatory Rapid Appraisal (qualitative approach) for Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in Nepal” was

organized in collaboration with the Minis-try of Agricultur-al Development

(MoAD), FAO, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Lalitpur on 26 December 2014. This was one of the activities of “Pro-poor Policy Approaches to Address Risk and Vulnerability at the Country Level” which is a joint Program of FAO and IFAD implemented in close coordina-tion with the MoAD. The Program aims at further developing policy analy-sis and policy development capacity with a sharper focus on pro-poor policies that would specifically address the risks and challenges faced by the smallholder farmers and the landless rural poor. The Program is in implementation in four countries namely Cambodia, Laos, Nepal and Vi-etnam. The Program is also conducting policy studies. The first policy study focuses on the effects of climate change and natural disasters and the second on the effects of price volatility, market integration and value chain on smallholder farmers and the landless rural poor of Nepal. The event was facilitated by senior experts of ICIMOD - Dr. Dhrupad Choudhury and Dr. Bikash Sharma.

Nepal Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation Limited (NACCFL) organized a workshop on “Good Practices on Cooperative and Financial Management” from 2 to 4 February 2015, which was consequently fol-lowed by a Training of the Trainers (ToT) on “Cooperative Perfor-mance and Financial Management from 5 to 9 February, 2015 at Central Training Insti-tute, Bode, Bhaktapur. Both the workshops were jointly supported by FAO and IFAD. FAO Experts Ms. Mariagrazia Rocchigiani and Mr. Toshiaki Ono were the key facilitators of the workshops. The programmes were also facilitated by Mr. Hiroshi Terunuma from Institute for the Develop-ment of Agricultural Cooperation in Asia, Japan, Mr. Jae-Min Park, Head of International Cooperation Team, South Korea, Mr. Tashi Wangdu, Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives in India and Mr. Navin-dra Liyanaarachchi, SANASA Federation Ltd. of Sri Lanka. Mr. Keshav Badal, Chairperson in the National Cooperative Feder-ation-Nepal, Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Nepal Rastra Bank, Mr. Khem Bahadur Pathak, Chairperson in NACCFL, Mr. Rudra Bhattarai, General Man ager, NACCFL and Ms. Meena Pokhrel, Program Manager, NACCFL. were the national facilitators of the workshops. 60 partici-pants from different cooperative societies, based in Mid-Western De-velopment Regions, were benefitted from the workshops to upgrade their knowledge on national and international best practices of coop-erative management and financial management. The TOT also up graded the knowledge and ability of existing trainers on cooperative

ToT organized for cooperatives managers

FAO Nepal News Bulletin

FAO Representation in Nepal

United Nations Building

Pulchowk, Lalitpur

KATHMANDU NEPAL

Mailing Address:

PO Box 25, UN House, Pulchowk, Kathmandu, NEPAL

Telephone: +977-1-5523200; Fax: +977-1-5526358;

E-mail: FAO-NP@fao.org

For a world without hunger page 4

"We did not know earlier that ginger would ever be treated againstrhizome-rot diseases and the crop saved from the notorious problem" said Saroj Gadtaula, a ginger farmer at Yang village of Phik-kal in Ilam. He added "only after the FAO implemented Ginger Competitive-ness Project that initiated field schoolprogram, we are aware of". Saroj, a member in good agriculture practices (GAP) based Biring Ginger Farmers' Field School (FFS) at Yang village, doubled his ginger cultivation area. "This year, I have planted 10 mann (400 kg) of ginger seed" Saroj briefly informed. Not only Saroj, other local farmers as members in the school namely Yama Rai, Som Bahadur Rai and Noran Rai have also doubled acreage of ginger cultivation compared to previous years. Khem Raj Bhattarai, farmer facilitator in the school, says: "some of the village people, who hesitated to join the school as member last year, have now joined it and been with much curiosity participating in the school program this year". Saroj and his neighbors know that ginger would be suc-cessfully treated against rhizome rot problems. Twentyeight farm households in the Yang vil-lage have Acquired knowledge and skills regarding safe production of ginger right from its plantation in field to its disposal in market. As the project in association with local DADO started its support to operate the FFS in March of 2013, they started learning about management of problems in ginger cultivation and marketing through field trials, demonstrations and fortnightly sessions. Now the farmers themselves can identify diseases and insect pests of ginger as well as beneficial bio-species to be taken care of during the diseases/pests management. "Members in the FFS have concluded that a well-drained ginger plot is key to the problem management. In addition, any kind of fungicidal treatments given to seed-rhizome before plantation either with trichoderma or copperoxychloride (COC) or krinoxylgold or metalaxyl controls rhizome rot" said the facilitator Bhattarai sup-ported by Jivan Gataula with his head nodded. "Moreover, we have learned a lot from the school", added Yama Rai, "we have worked together in the school plot; learned differences between pestering and helpful bio-agents, hazards of pesticides and their safe usage". Further she added, "we are informed of good practices regarding seed selec-tion, plantation, earthing up, extraction of brunee and care to be taken ginger rhizome harvesting, packaging and marketing". Ginger farmers of Yang, previously frustrated of ginger cultivation due to complete crop failure, have again started its cultivation with full of enthusiasm and confidence restored.

FFS makes a headway in rural development

SUCCESS STORIES

Contd from page 1…

The speakers expressed their thanks to the meeting organizers and the Government of Nepal for hosting the workshop. Dr. Gerd Walter- Echols presented the summary and highlights of the questionnaire results. For managing pesticides, Dr. Echols elu-cidated, "there is a need to understand pesticides life cycles and how the pesticides are used by farmers. State policies play an Important role in influencing judi-cious use of pesticides and minimizing their ad-verse effects in environ-ment and human health". The five-day work-shop, organized from 26 to 30 January, was attended by 28 participants from 12 Asian countries. Objectives of the workshop were to strengthen pesticide management capacities of the countries and to assist them in addressing their obligations under the Code of Conduct and the Rotterdam Convention. The work-shop, jointly organized by PPD Nepal and APPPC and supported by FAO, was facilitated by Mr. Piao Yongfan, Sr. Plant Protection Officer

at FAO Regional Office, Bangkok, Mr. Gerd Walter-Echols, Consultant to FAO, Ms. Yun Zhou, Agriculture Officer at FAO Hqrs, Rome and Mr Dilli Ram Sharma,Program Director in PPD and National Coordinator of the the National IPM Program in Nepal. The participants visited Kalimati Wholesale Vegetable Market in Kathmandu, where a small laboratory for rapid bioassay forof pesticide residues was established in June 2014, and Kushadevi in Kabhrepalanchok district, 50 km to the southeast of Kathmandu, where an IPM Resource Centre established by the National IPM Programme in support of FAO is operative since 2013. See also http://www.apppc.org/content/apppc-workshop-code-conduct-pesticide-management-26-30-january-2015-nepal-report-and

Regional Workshop on Pesticide...