National Nature Conservation Fund Signs Agreements for Climate-Resilient Food Crops

Chitwan. Agreements have been signed between the Fund and local governments for the demonstration and promotion of climate-resilient food crops under the Gandaki River Basin Climate Resilient Project of the National Nature Conservation Fund. The agreements were signed today at the Biodiversity Conservation Center in Sauraha with nine local levels from Chitwan, Makwanpur, and Nawalpur. The project aims to contribute to food security by mitigating the effects of climate change. Speaking at the program, National Nature Conservation Fund Member Secretary Dr. Chiranjeevi Prasad Pokharel mentioned that Nepal is directly affected by climate change and emphasized the need to promote certified seeds for food security. He expressed confidence that such programs will be effective in facing the increasing risks in the agricultural sector and tackling the challenges of climate change. Dr. Pokharel expressed gratitude to the partner organizations for providing financial and technical support for the climate change programs. National Nature Conservation Fund's Head of Climate Change Department, Dr. Manishraj Pandey, provided information about the project's objectives, stating that efforts are being made to link traditional water management practices with evidence-based climate-resilient plan development. He mentioned that the project is focused on developing sustainable agricultural systems by adapting to the impacts of climate change. Stating that Nepal is on the front line of the climate crisis, Dr. Pandey said that the effects of rising temperatures are becoming visible in various sectors. He informed that about 80 percent of the country's land is at risk of landslides, floods, droughts, and other disasters, and that although there is a great need for climate finance, available resources are limited. Mentioning that it is not possible to address climate challenges with public and government investment alone, Head of Department Dr. Pandey pointed out the need for international climate finance. He stated that although international funds are available, there are challenges in their effective utilization due to complex procedures and lack of institutional capacity. Dr. Pandey stated that the National Nature Conservation Fund is playing a strategic role as a bridge between global climate finance and local needs. He clarified that the main goal of the Gandaki River Basin Climate Resilient Project is to mainstream and implement the concept of sustainable watershed management. The project's working area extends to the Badi Gad, Budhi Gandaki, Kaligandaki, Seti-Madi, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, and Rapti river systems within the Gandaki watershed. Speaking at the program, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Nepal's Project Team Leader Gyanendra Mishra said that implementing programs through local levels ensures effective implementation and local ownership. Chitwan National Park Chief Conservation Officer Dil Bahadur Purja, Chairman of the Buffer Zone Management Committee Chitwan National Park Shivaji Gayak, and others shared their views on climate crisis and mitigation. The program, which included a welcome speech by the Chief of Biodiversity Conservation Center Sauraha, Rajkumar Gurung, was attended by the chiefs and representatives of the participating local levels. Under the project, programs will be conducted to provide climate-resilient high-yield paddy, wheat, and mustard seeds, organic fertilizers, and biological pesticides to farmers, ensuring the production and promotion of quality seeds. This project, funded by the Green Climate Fund, aims to promote identified climate-resilient paddy, wheat, or mustard varieties in 150 hectares of land for one cropping season. Small farmer agricultural cooperatives, community seed banks, and seed producer groups will participate in the program. The participating local levels include Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Ratnanagar Municipality, Khairahani Municipality, Rapti Municipality, Madi Municipality in Chitwan; Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City and Manahari Rural Municipality in Makwanpur; and Kawasoti Municipality and Madhyabindu Municipality in Nawalpur. Agreements ranging from Rs 4.3 million to Rs 6 million have been made with the municipalities, informed Head of Climate Change Department Dr. Pandey.