“We are not just doing business. Our priority is also to conserve indigenous crops, knowledge, and seeds.”
The demand for local crops in Nepal is rising due to their perceived health benefits. Photo: 123rf.com
“We are not just doing business. Our priority is also to conserve indigenous crops, knowledge, and seeds,” added the 61-year-old, a retired conservationist. About 20 shops such as Dhakal’s selling produce native to Nepal have opened in the capital in recent years, he added. However, as the farming sector increasingly suffers weather shocks – from worsening drought to rising heat – agriculture experts say investing in native crops could act as a buffer and ultimately ensure the country’s food supply is more sustainable.
Sharma said he previously harvested about 240kg of rice a year using native seeds, but had more than tripled his annual yields since switching entirely to hybrid seeds in 2022. The growing scarcity of native crops has raised concerns about food security and possible food shortages, or even crises, in the future.