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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

EFFORT TO INCREASE MAIZE OUTPUT

USAID TEAMS WITH THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES AND THE MONSANTO COMPANY TO ENHANCE MAIZE PRODUCTION
Kathmandu, 13 Sept.: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Agriculture, USAID, and Monsanto have partnered to promote the use of hybrid maize seeds and provide training to farmers in Nepal, US embassy said.

The U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Nepal Economic, Agriculture, and Trade Activity (NEAT) has teamed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. based Monsanto Company to enhance the maize sector in Nepal. As a part of this coordinated effort, a knowledge sharing workshop was held on September 12th at the Hotel Himalaya, where 50 stakeholders from Nepal’s public and private sectors, including those involved in research and development, seed production, and maize purchasing, discussed the current state of the maize industry, identified challenges, and discussed initiatives that are both underway and forthcoming to enhance maize production.

The workshop was part of a multi-faceted program supported by NEAT to enhance the maize industry as part of its efforts to improve food security in select districts of the mid-and-far west regions. Among other efforts, USAID/NEAT and Monsanto, in coordination the Government of Nepal, will implement a pilot maize production project to promote the use of hybrid seeds in the key maize producing districts of Chitwan, Nawal Parasi, and Kavre. This pilot project will target 20,000 farmers and include training on hybrid maize production practices and facilitate linkages between producers and end-users.

Speaking at the workshop’s opening, the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mr. Umakant Jha said he appreciated the opportunity to work with USAID, particularly on this maize initiative. Mr. Amitabh Jaipuria, Managing Director from Monsanto/India, expressed his full commitment and support to strengthen Nepal’s research and development capacity to enhance maize productivity and income through strategic interventions in coordination with NEAT and the Government of Nepal.

Also speaking at the workshop’s opening, USAID Mission Director David C. Atteberry remarked, “most maize farmers are unaware of the health and financial benefits that high-yielding hybrid seeds can provide. Improved seeds and targeted capacity building on crop management will allow maize producers in Nepal to reap the full benefit of their labor.”

“Maize is a very important crop, both as a staple food as well as a cash crop. The feed industry in Nepal currently requires an estimated 270,000 tons of maize, yet is only able to purchase half of that amount—135,000 tons—in Nepal. The remaining 135,000 metric tons of maize is imported for the feed industry every year, with a value of approximately 200 million NPR. This is a lost opportunity for farmers in Nepal,” added Mr. Atteberry.

The two-year NEAT program is an important endeavor that seeks to improve the business environment, work with the Government of Nepal (GON) to strengthen fiscal and trade policies, encourage competitiveness and exports, enhance food security and increase access to financial services.

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