Rice is the staple food in Nepal, accounting for over 50 percent of food production and nearly 40 percent of nutrition. Over 2,000 different rice varieties are grown in Nepal, but many of these varieties may be lost as the demand for rice increases.

In most parts of Nepal, different types of rice, known as ‘landraces’, are grown on small, subsistence family farms. Farmers’ choices are the main factor that determines whether particular rice crops continue to be grown on farms. Research from the International Food Policy Research Institute, USA, examines why farmers in Nepal choose to grow different varieties of rice.

A hillside location is the most important element for growing different rice types. The greater the differences in land features within a particular region, the more likely it is that farmers will grow a range of rice varieties. In Nepal, the most varieties of rice are grown in the hills areas, while in the low wetland areas, it is mostly modern types of rice that are farmed. Other factors that influence the diversity of rice on farms include the amount of labour available and a household’s subsistence needs.

Plant breeders influence crop biodiversity through the supply of new seeds, but recently scientists have expressed concerns that, as farmers gain access to markets and new technologies, the genetic diversity of rice may be lost. However, most farmers cannot afford to grow rice for conservation purposes.

The authors also found that:

• The age and education of decision-makers makes a significant difference in the plains, but not in other areas, where farmers have less experience of growing different varieties.
• Education increases the choice of varieties, while access to information enables women to swap rice products in local markets for their own crops.
• More labour on farms increases rice diversity, particularly in hills areas where there are fewer non-farm opportunities and rice production requires more labour.
• The distance of farms from markets affects the variety of rice grown, as rice cannot so easily be substituted for other varieties if the farm is a long way away.
• Because women make most choices about food, a higher percentage of women in a household means it will grow more varieties.

Farmers choose which crop to grow according to its market value and the features of their farm. But the choices farmers make affect not only their welfare, but also that of future communities. Agricultural policies must conserve the variety of rice types, but supporting one type of rice can be negative for other types. Policymakers should:

• develop one set of policies to support the conservation of diverse landraces, and a separate set of policies for specific rare landraces
• target the conservation of valuable rice varieties in areas where households have more access to land, labour and capital
• increase seed provision to farmers from plant breeders, scientists and conservationists
• continue existing initiatives, including public awareness campaigns and diversity fairs
• investigate further the market opportunities for different types of rice.

Source(s):
‘Managing Rice Biodiversity on Farms: The Choice of Farmers and Breeders in Nepal’, by Devendra Gauchan, Melinda Smale, Nigel Maxted and Matthew Cole, in ‘Valuing Crop Biodiversity: On-farm Genetic Resources and Economic Change’ pages 162-176, CABI Publishing: Wallingford, edited by Melinda Smale, December 2005 Full document.

Funded by: Canadian International Development Research Centre; European Union

id21 Research Highlight: 14 July 2006

Further Information:
Nigel Maxted
School of Biosciences
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham, B15 2TT
UK

Tel: +44 (0)121 4145571
Contact the contributor: n.maxted@bham.ac.uk

International Food Policy Research Institute

Other related links:
'Putting farmers at the centre of the rice seed systems in Bangladesh'

'Maintaining crop genetic diversity through farmer networks'

'Conserving biodiversity resources on small farms in India'

'Balancing food security and sustainability: the challenges of rice production'

See id21's links for agriculture