Situation, Initiatives and Policy in Support to

Organic Rice in Nepal

Jyoti Baidya

General Situation of Organic Rice

• Nepalese agriculture is central to national economy

• Rice , Nepal's Major agriculture product• The rice cultivation in Nepal started about 1,300

years ago in Jumla, valley - well known local variety JUMLEE MARSI.

• Traditional rice i.e. organic, covers about 26% area of Nepal's hills and mountain territory.

• Growing realisation on the importance of organic farming

• Land as the primary factor of production, its ownership by the producer is key to enhance the agriculture production and productivity.

The Organic Rice Industry

• Rice as as prime crop of Nepal • Covers 1.56 million ha with productivity of 3.06

ton/ha and total production of more than 50,00,000 tons annually

- contributing 20% of the agricultural GDP to the country.

• Limited organic rice production practice in the Terai.

• In hills and mountain-traditional rice production practice.

• SRI- 1000 hectares, 1247 farmers in organic farming.

• Production in about 46% of the agricultural area as well as employs 65.6% of the country’s population.

• Agriculture sector contributes 34 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• Rice accounts for more than 20% of total Agriculture GDP in Nepal.

Initiatives • Several I/NGOs has established learning

resource centers and carried out :- organic agriculture action research, field

studies on indigenous farming practices and local cultivars, developed training courses, and disseminated information and technologies to the farmers' and other relevant stakeholders.

• Nepal Permaculture Group (NPG) in collaboration with multi-stakeholders been implementing various programs through

• Networking with emphasis on policy formulation, research, advocacy and lobbying in the field of organic agriculture, sustainable development and perma-culture.

• Though it is not fully grown industry, some practices of organic rice production present.

• The progressive farmers, I/NGOs, CBOs, research institutions such as:

• NARC, NARDEP, Agriculture department/district office and technical staff, food traders including farmer's cooperatives, organizations involved in organic certification and consumers as the major stakeholders in organic rice industry.

• The Government of Nepal currently drafting Agriculture Development Strategy of Nepal considered as important documents for the promotion of overall Agriculture Development in Nepal.

Issues and Challenges

• Issues of farmers on land rights• Impact of climate change in the

productivity and other resources related to efficient production

• Impact of food price volatility e.g. selling price and income of farmers

Prospects and Opportunities of Industry

• Favourable policies and laws to promote organic rice

• Effective extension services and inputs • Capacity building of the small holders including

women and youth farmers • Value chain services eg. Formation of farmer's

cooperatives, processing units and market links • Public awareness campaigns • Research on rice technologies, seed improvement

and organic methods of pest and disease control.

• Market Opportunities• Changing demand of the consumers – health and

wellness at the local, national and international

Thank-you

Presented By:

Jyoti Baidya