1. Introduction
Nepal, located in the heart of the Himalayas, has long been celebrated as a living repository of agricultural biodiversity. Its unique geography ranging from the fertile lowlands of the Terai to the rugged highlands and mountain terraces enabled farmers over centuries to cultivate, adapt and preserve a remarkable range of landraces of rice, maize, millets, pulses, barley, buckwheat, root crops and vegetables. These traditional plant genetic resources were not merely seeds. They represented vessels of resilience, nutrition, adaptability and identity, deeply intertwined with the cultural and ecological fabric of Nepal. However, within a few decades, this rich legacy has shifted dramatically with many traditional genotypes now vanishing and others surviving only in ex situ collections rather than in fields of farmers.
Research shows that nearly half of traditional crop genotypes of Nepal have already disappeared. This erosion is most visible in the Terai where commercialization of agriculture and the use of hybrid varieties have transformed diverse farmlands into monocultures. The demand for uniform, high yielding seeds has gradually undermined the diverse genetic heritage built over centuries of farmer innovation. With this shift, valuable adaptive traits that could have provided resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in the face of changing climates are being lost.
2. Causes
The drivers of genetic erosion in Nepal are multifaceted and interconnected. Modernization of agriculture encouraged uniformity over diversity. The promotion of chemical intensive farming systems has pushed farmers towards commercial crops that promise immediate returns replacing landraces that may yield less but contribute resilience and sustainability. Natural disasters such as the 2015 earthquakes, devastating floods and recurring landslides have destroyed seed stores and wiped-out valuable genotypes that had survived for centuries. Climate change adds further pressure, altered rainfall patterns, increasing drought, unseasonal frost and shortened growing seasons have made it increasingly difficult for traditional landraces to survive. This has pushed several sensitive varieties to the brink of extinction which further erodes genetic diversity.
Deforestation and land degradation also play an important role in reducing arable land for diverse cultivation. Rapid urbanization, road expansion and infrastructure development have encroached upon traditional farmlands, fragmenting ecosystems and displacing indigenous agricultural practices. Additionally, rural outmigration has led to labor shortages in agriculture and the loss of intergenerational knowledge transfer regarding seed saving, storage and crop management. These socio-economic shifts contribute as much to genetic erosion as do ecological and climatic factors. The spread of invasive plant species and new pests further challenges the survival of indigenous crops, often outcompeting or destroying fragile local varieties.
3. Consequences
The consequences of genetic erosion extend far beyond biodiversity loss. With every lost genotype, traditional ecological knowledge embedded in farming practices also fades by erasing cultural ties, rituals and community identity linked with seeds and crops. For example, many millet and barley varieties used in festivals and local beverages are no longer widely grown. The erosion of traditional crop varieties and landraces has led to a decline in genetic diversity reducing the resilience of crops to pests, diseases and environmental stresses. Uncontrolled introduction of high-yielding varieties often replaces local ones, causing loss of indigenous traits and traditional knowledge. Habitat destruction and overexploitation further threaten wild relatives of cultivated plants. This genetic erosion limits future breeding and adaptation potential undermining food security and sustainable agriculture. Moreover, inadequate conservation infrastructure, weak policy implementation and low public awareness hinder effective management.
4. Conservation efforts
Yet, the journey from abundance to absence is not without hope. Significant efforts have been made in both ex-situ and in situ conservation. The National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center (Genebank) under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has collected and conserved thousands of accessions of rice, wheat, maize, barley, millets, root crops, and vegetables in its gene banks. The Centre for Crop Development and Agro Biodiversity Conservation under the Department of Agriculture is the focal organization for developing national policies and procedures in the area of agricultural biodiversity conservation.
Non-governmental organizations, such as Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), are also working in the conservation and management of native agricultural genetic resources.
Community seed banks across Nepal serve as living repositories where farmers can access, exchange and reintroduce traditional seeds into their fields. Seed fairs and biodiversity competitions have further revived interest in forgotten varieties that helps communities to rebuild diversity on their farms.
5. Policy Support
Policy interventions are equally critical. Agricultural policies of Nepal must recognize the importance of neglected and underutilized species integrating them into research, extension services and commercial value chains. By promoting diversified farming systems and rewarding conservation practices, the country can strengthen resilience against climate change and economic shocks. Strengthening local seed systems, enhancing access to indigenous seeds and encouraging participatory plant breeding can empower farmers as caretaker of agrobiodiversity. Moreover, linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihoods such as niche marketing of traditional crops can provide incentives for farmers to preserve and cultivate landraces.
International frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) also provide Nepal with a platform to align national strategies with global commitments. These frameworks stress the importance of equitable benefit sharing and the recognition of rights of farmers in conserving and utilizing genetic resources. Nepal, with its rich agrobiodiversity, stands to gain from stronger implementation of these commitments particularly by protecting indigenous farmers who act as frontline conservationists.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of plant genetic resources of Nepal is a journey from abundance to absence marked by alarming genetic erosion. Yet, it is also a story of resilience, innovation, and opportunity. The task ahead is to strike a balance between modern agricultural development and the preservation of traditional diversity. Protecting these genetic resources is not merely about conserving the past; it is about ensuring ecological balance, cultural continuity and food security in the decades ahead.
Sujan Lamichhane, Undergraduate Student, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan
