Cooperatives Lead Revival of Traditional Crop Varieties in Karnali

Cooperatives across the Karnali region have taken the lead in preserving Nepal’s traditional and indigenous crop varieties through the establishment and operation of community seed banks. These efforts aim to protect native crops that are at risk of disappearing due to modernization and the dominance of hybrid seeds.

Community Seed Banks Reviving Endangered Varieties

The Panchkoshi Samaj Sudhar Agriculture Cooperative in Rizu, Dullu Municipality–5 of Dailekh, has been operating a community seed bank since its establishment in 2011.
Cooperative chairperson Purna Bahadur Shahi said the cooperative, with the active involvement of 22 professional seed-producing farmers, is currently producing 45 local varieties across 12 crop species.

According to Shahi, the cooperative sold 4,000 kg of onions, 50 kg of cucumbers, 60 kg of beans, and 100 kg of peas in the last fiscal year alone. Members earn between Rs 60,000 and Rs 600,000 annually from the production and sale of seeds and agricultural goods.

Jumla Cooperative Producing 58 Local Varieties

Similarly, the Dhaulagadh Agriculture Cooperative in Tatopani Rural Municipality–5, Jumla, has also established the Hanku Community Seed Bank to conserve traditional crops.
The cooperative produces 58 local varieties of 18 different indigenous crops and markets them commercially.

Chairperson Kavita Jaisi said the cooperative sells up to 3 tonnes of native seeds annually.
Since May 2023, the cooperative has also been supplying locally produced crops for the midday meal program in all schools within the rural municipality.

Additionally, the cooperative collects around 13 tonnes of local agricultural produce annually, which is marketed through the Kosheli Ghar platform.

Resurgence of Interest in Indigenous Crops

A renewed wave of consciousness toward traditional farming is visible across Karnali’s rural settlements.
Buddha Bik, Senior Agriculture Development Officer at LIBIRD in Jumla, described farmers’ interest in protecting their own crops and local identity as “exemplary.”

He said farmers are earning well through commercial farming of indigenous crops like local rice, maize, millet, buckwheat, horsegram, potatoes, jimbu, timur, and soybeans, which were once on the verge of extinction due to the widespread use of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and market pressures.

Seed Banks Transforming Farming Practices

The establishment of seed banks has changed farmers’ cultivation habits. Previously, farmers hesitated to plant traditional crops fearing lower yields because improved varieties were easily available.
But with seed banks supplying high-quality native seeds, farmers have regained trust in traditional varieties.

Slogans such as “Marshi rice makes tastier meals,” “Ainsi rice is disease-resistant,” “Traditional millet makes better dhindo,” and “Horsegram dal is nutritious” are once again becoming popular in villages.

The growing production of native crops has boosted farmers’ confidence as well as market prices.

Native Crops More Climate-Resilient

Climate change has further highlighted the importance of indigenous varieties.
Many native crops of the hills and mountains are naturally pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and well-adapted to harsh terrains.

For example:

• Jumla’s local barley and Marshi rice can withstand extreme cold,
• Dailekh’s millet, horsegram, and black gram can tolerate heavy rainfall-related stress.

Improved varieties often lack such adaptive traits.
Experts say that native seeds preserved through seed banks could become “climate-smart crops” for the future of Karnali’s agriculture.

Sanjiv Kumar Karn, Secretary at the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Karnali Province, said the government has begun implementing policies and guidelines to protect indigenous crops. He called for stronger collaboration from stakeholders to expand programs for their protection.

Nutritional and Market Value Increasing

Indigenous crops like buckwheat, millet, amaranth, horsegram, and soybean are rich sources of protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and vitamin B.
Growing health awareness and rising demand for organic foods have pushed their market value upward.

With community seed banks connecting farmers to markets through cooperatives, household income has increased.
Crops once regarded as “poor people’s food”—such as millet and buckwheat—are now served in high-end restaurants and are even entering export markets.

Challenges Remain Despite Progress

However, many community seed banks still lack essential infrastructure such as:

• Temperature-controlled storage rooms
• Laboratory equipment
• Weather-monitoring tools

Government agricultural extension services have not yet reached many remote villages.
Youth migration has reduced the agricultural workforce.
Some farmers still prefer hybrid crops for quick yields, while others fear unstable markets for native crops.

Despite these challenges, farmers remain motivated by the opportunities created through community seed banks.

Government Pledges Support

Karnali Province Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Vinod Kumar Shah, said the government has shown significant interest in conserving indigenous crops.

“The government has officially announced its commitment to protect Karnali’s native crops and promote the province as an organic region,” he said.
However, he admitted that implementation has been insufficient.

Minister Shah emphasized that effective conservation of native crops requires coordination among the government, private sector, and development partners.
He praised farmers for promoting climate-resilient indigenous crops at a time when the world is facing the impacts of climate change.