International Course on ‘Plant Genetic Resources and Resilient Seed Systems for Sustainable Food Security 2017 in Nepal’

An International Course on ‘Plant Genetic Resources and Resilient Seed Systems for Sustainable Food Security’ organized jointly by LI-BIRD, GrowInnova, Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen University & Research and Bioversity International was successfully completed on 10 November 2017. The programme kicked off on 23 October 2017 in Pokhara and concluded in Kathmandu with the participation of 22 professionals from 14 countries of Asia, Africa and South America working in the field of agriculture, food security, climate change and rural development to participate this training. The participants also had an opportunity to visit Chitwan and Nawalparasi, the inner Terai region of the country, for the field exposure and practical exercises.

The overall objective of this training programme was to enhance the capacity of participants to apply the state of art in the conservation and use of plant and genetic resources in order to make the seed systems resilient in the face of change. The course consisted of four modules: (i) understanding concept, methodology and tools to empowering community; (ii) designing a successful intervention for resilient seed systems and food security; (iii) learning from the field and integrating into reality; and finally, (iv) creating a supportive policy and legal environment for plant genetic resources and resilient seed systems.

The programme was inaugurated by Mr Man Bahadur GC, Mayor of Pokhara Lekhanath Metropolitan City, who welcomed all the participants and wished for their fruitful visit and productive training in Nepal.” Mr GC also affirmed that the establishment of a multipurpose academy with the collaboration of LI-BIRD in Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City could be a ‘matter of pride’ in near future.

During inaugurating session, Dr Abishkar Subedi (Senior Advisor, Genetic Resources and Seed Systems, Wageningen University & Research), who is also the Coordinator of the programme highlighted that this course could be a platform for exchanging learning and experiences that promote the potential of crop genetic resources and develop more resilient seed systems to cater the need of smallholders farmers, and contribute to achieving food security. The opening session was chaired by Mr Beni Bahadur Basnet, Secretary of LI-BIRD Executive Board, who requested participants to utilize the opportunity to interact and exchange the learning and experiences of common agenda.

The closing of the 3-week long programme was done in Kathmandu during when Dr Balaram Thapa, Executive Director of LI-BIRD, formally distributed the ‘Certificate of Participation’ and ‘Token of Love’ to all the participants and thanked all for their active participation contributing to making this event “a very remarkable one in Nepal”. During the closing ceremony, Dr Ronnie Vernooy, the Course Coordinator from Bioversity International, also thanked LIBIRD, GrowInnova and all participants for their special contribution to the programme. On behalf of the participants, Ms Jane Njeri Reuben from Kenya and Mr Zubog Philip Neri from Ghana also expressed their views regarding the training programme.

Let’s watch this short video what our participants say about the course in Nepal.