Farmers’ seed networks and agrobiodiversity conservation for sustainable food security: a case from the mid-hills of Nepal

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKhadka, Kamal
dc.contributor.authorGartaula, Hom
dc.contributor.authorShrestha, Asis
dc.contributor.authorUpadhay, Deepak
dc.contributor.authorChaudhary, Pashupati
dc.contributor.authorPatel, Kirit
dc.contributor.authorDevkota, Rachana
dc.date.accessioned2018-12-24T16:47:43Z
dc.date.available2018-12-24T16:47:43Z
dc.date.issued2018-07
dc.descriptionThis paper was funded by the International Development Research Centre as well as Global Affairs Canada.en
dc.description.abstractThis paper evaluates the nature and functioning of seed networks for rice, maize and finger millet, and explores the effect of such networks on agrobiodiversity conservation and food security. Using snowball sampling, ninety-five farmers from the Dhikurpokhari Village Development Committee in Kaski district, a representative site for western mid-hills of Nepal, were interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Social network analysis tools and maps, with the help of NetDraw software, were used to examine the status of the network and identify the key nodal and connector farmers. It was revealed that there is a loose network of seed exchange in the community, varying according to crop. While nodal farmers play a more pivotal role than other farmers in seed exchange, only marginal differences were found in the characteristics of nodal and non-nodal farmers, apart from their age and education. More than 90% of farmers had saved seeds of maize and finger millet on their own, mainly local varieties, while only 70% of farmers had saved rice seed. Farmers’ practices of saving seed at home, limited varietal options in locality, a declining interest in agriculture, rural-to-urban migration and thence scarcity of labour have all contributed to a reduction in the exchange of seed. This in turn has affected the on-farm conservation of agrobiodiversity and food security at the local level.en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/57417
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectSEED NETWOKen
dc.subjectCONNECTORSen
dc.subjectNODAL FARMERSen
dc.subjectAGROBIODIVERSITYen
dc.subjectCONSERVATION AND FOOD SECURITYen
dc.subjectNEPALen
dc.titleFarmers’ seed networks and agrobiodiversity conservation for sustainable food security: a case from the mid-hills of Nepalen
dc.typeJournal Articleen
idrc.dspace.accessOpen Accessen
idrc.project.number107791
idrc.project.titleNepal Terrace Farmers and Sustainable Agriculture Kits (CIFSRF Phase 2)en
idrc.recordsserver.bcsnumberIC36-1643402171-202386
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
IDL-57417.pdf
Size:
911.68 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Article
Download

Collections

IDRC Research Results / Résultats de recherches du CRDI
2010-2019 / Années 2010-2019
Research Results (CIFSRF) / Résultats de recherches (FCRSAI)