Innovative Seed System, Nepal
Innovative Seed System was initiated in Chitwan region of Nepal by Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) with the support of the Delivering Genetic Gain in Wheat (DGGW) project supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UK aid. The project is led by Cornell University and implemented by its regional partner for South Asia, Sathguru Management Consultants. The objective of this project was to create a first of its kind Seed Village Model with the Agricultural University system by creating awareness of and providing access to quality certified wheat seed to smallholder farmers in the region. The project also focused on supporting capacity building of the farmers and other stakeholders in the public and private sector. In the four years of the project, the farmers have benefitted tremendously. With the trainings, support and extension work carried out by AFU, many grain growing farmers have now shifted and become seed growers. They are now practicing the recommended package of practices right from land preparation to sowing to nutrient management and disease management. This has resulted in significant increase in yields (~1.5 fold) in the farmer fields which eventually increases their monetary gains. Through this project most of the farmers have now realized the benefits of mechanization and are opting for it. The seed processing unit and the seed testing laboratory were also funded by the project which have been functional at AFU since 2017 and are now nationally recognized.
Bt brinjal farmer on production practices (Bengali)
Farmers of Bangladesh demonstrates best practices for Bt brinjal quality seed production. 4 varieties of Bt brinjal was released for commercial cultivation in Bangladesh in 2013. To learn more about the journey of Bt eggplant in Bangladesh, visit http://bteggplant.cornell.edu
BGRI: Delivering Genetic Gains in Wheat: Protecting food security in the UK and Abroad