Plant health management in Nepal

Yubak Dhoj G. C., PhDProgram Director

Ministry of Agricultural DevelopmentNepal

Harihar Bhawan++ 977 98511 28 1 29yubakgc@yahoo.comwww.ppdnepal.gov.np

Nepalese AgriculturePredominantly an agricultural country, 65.5% Major contribution in GDP: 42% Considerable scope: Increasing food productionUn acceptable losses of biotic and abiotic factors: 30-35%Majority of growers: illiterate No or low attention on plant health improvementFormidable challenges in meeting food safety rules and standards

Scientists

Solutions

Techniques

Research

Farmers

Lack of Guidance

Crop LossesPlant Clinics

clinics are seen as the ‘missing link’ between farmers and expert institutions

extension workers are able to reach more farmers in short time and at low cost

farmer demand is captured directly at the clinics clinics are vehicles for dissemination of IPM technologies

clinics help their communities stay alert to new diseases and emerging epidemics, and

valuable synergies can be created between actors of the ‘healthcare system’

Some Reasons for the Rapid Adoption of Plant Clinics:

Plant Clinics under Plantwise-Nepal Partnership

• Plant clinics initiated through Global Plant Clinic in 2008• Conducted mobile and permanent clinics with Government and NGOs• Plantwise launched in 2012 by CABI South Asia – India • Partnership established with agreements (involving Government i.e. MoAD, Academia and NGOs)• 71 persons trained on different modules• 18 clinics conducted started at different districts of Nepal • 28 fact sheets produced, data collection in process• Very encouraging response from farmers • Plan to involve extension and IPM programmes for up-scaling by the Government in coming years

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Importance of plant clinics

Stimulates new networks,improves collaboration

Strengthening farmers with healthy crops

Surveillance of diseases

Awareness Direct help to growers

Gathers demand (for control) and supplies technologies

Crop Management

How plant

health clinics

work

Results so far

Kick start, 2008/09: CABI Initial emphasis: Capacity building Systematic penetration in GoN : 2011 by PPD and CABI IndiaModule I Training : January 2011, PPD and CABI IndiaModule II: April 2012 (PPD)Module II: January 2012, PPD and local experts, 25 Officers Module II: August 2012: PPD and CABI, Plantwise, 30 participantsModule III: September 2012, PPD and CABI Plantwise, 30 participants

Implementing Plantwise in Nepal

Elementary Step

Secondary Step

Technical Step Plant Health System

Studying about the crop- pest scenario

Capacity building of plant protection officers

Linking clinics to diagnostic labs

Trained capacity available for National Plant Health System

Discussion with NPPO and match mandates with Government priority areas

Practical trainings on diagnosis and conducting clinics

Scientific backstopping and validation of data

Linking diagnostic labs to backstop clinics

Layout plan for working in Nepal with Government of Nepal

Conducting clinics as frontline workers in dealing with farmers

Feed the validated in Knowledge bank

Embedding plant clinics in Government system

Lessons learntPoor knowledge on plant problem diagnosis skillsAdvisory services: pesticide dealersSeeking cure without sample diagnosis Control measures: On guess Result: losses in production, monetary value, non-target effects of chemicalPlant clinic: Lately introducedCABI: great support in capacity building and clinical activities Government involvement: latelyPlant clinics: Important components of IPM and food security Serve as a channel for communicating with farmers on emergingpest problems

Future needs:

Capacity building of the Govt staff, farmers, input dealers Functional role: Govt (strength of infrastructure and human resources)Supportive role: Research, Teaching Institutes and Private organization Support: External (CABI and multi-partners association)Government role: Streamlining and scaling upGreater emphasis to the program-regularization

Thank you!