Kathmandu: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, has announced that research activities are currently underway on 354 projects under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) this year. In a response to written queries from lawmaker Prem Suwal during a session of the House of Representatives, Minister Adhikari elaborated on the ongoing research initiatives.
According to National News Agency RSS, the research encompasses 106 projects focused on crops, 70 on horticulture, 41 on multi-sector, and 35 on fishery. Minister Adhikari also disclosed that a proposal for the registration of 17 varieties has been submitted. This includes one variety of rice, three of apple, two of walnut, one of lemon, and three of avocado. Furthermore, the National Seeds Board has registered eight new varieties this fiscal year, including three of apple, two of orange, and three of avocado.
The Ministry has set a target to recommend 75 agriculture technicians by the end of the current fiscal year. Minister Adhikari informed the House that a goal has been set to produce 900 tonnes of various crops by the end of the fiscal year, with 380 tonnes already produced as of April 13. Additionally, the Ministry aimed to distribute 500,000 seedlings and plants of vegetables and fruits to nurseries by the end of the fiscal year, with 15,692 seedlings already distributed.