Ban import of unregistered hybrid seeds, govt told

Following complains of no yields and contradictory views on Monsanto´s entry to Nepal, the Natural Resources and Means Committee of the parliament has directed the government to strictly enforce ban imposed on import of unregistered hybrid seeds and also regulate import and sale of hybrid seeds.
Nepal imports more than 200 types of hybrid seeds from 30 international seed production companies through 13 domestic importers. Although existing law bans import of seeds that are not registered with Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), substandard seeds have been finding way into the Nepali market, inflicting huge loss to the farmers.
The committee issued the instruction after holding discussion on a concept paper on enhancing traditional seeds -- referred as seed sovereignty - submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC).
In its decision, the committee has even instructed that Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) should conduct two years of field experiments before registering any hybrid seeds. “In order to enable NARC perform its duty efficiently, the government should immediately enhance it capacity by provisioning more human resources and additional capital,” the committee has said in a letter written to the MoAC.
The committee had conducted a detailed study on hybrid seeds and even grilled the MoAC officials in this connection the attempt of Monsanto -- a multinational agricultural company - to enter into Nepali market with its hybrid maize seeds through a program of United State Agency for International Development (USAID) in last September drew controversy.
Following series of interactions and demanding a clear concept paper from the MoAC on traditional and hybrid seeds, the committee issued a 7-point directive to the ministry.
Under this, the committee has also asked the ministry to study out the situations of agriculture and livestock quarantines in the country. “Prepare an action plan for upgrading and advancing their conditions and capacity,” the committee has said in its instruction.
The committee has asked the ministry to submit the action plan along with cost estimates for implementing them within 15 days.
Furthermore, the committee also lambasted the MoAC officials, saying that their attempt to allow entry of Monsanto hybrid seeds in Nepal by entering into an agreement with Monsanto and USAID was a foul play.
In this regard, the committee in January had grilled the senior ministry officials on government´s policy on hybrid and genetically modified organism (GMO).
“The Ministry should work to protect and promote locally produced hybrid seeds,” the committee has said. It has, however, maintained silence on the GMO, even though the ministry´s concept paper clearly states that import of GMOs should be banned.
The existing Agricultural Policy (2004) says that the government would strictly regulate the GMO and promote hybrid seeds.