Kathmandu, Nov. 28
Agriculture experts and policymakers have expressed concern
over the declining pollination rates in Karnali Province as it is increasing
having its toll on agriculture production and livelihood.
Speaking at a national workshop on pollinators and
pollination, jointly organised by the Karnali Ministry of Land Management,
Agriculture and Cooperatives and Li-Bird, they emphasised the critical role of
pollination in Nepal’s agricultural system. They warned that the recent decline
in pollination poses a significant challenge to farming.
Karnali Province is working on strategies to address the
decline in pollination and improve environmental sensitivity in agriculture.
Efforts are underway to make Karnali a fully organic province, with plans that
aim to balance agriculture and ecological sustainability.
Based on these progresses, stakeholders remain hopeful that
effective implementation of these initiatives will support both the region's
farming sector and its ecological health.
Pollination is an ecosystem service crucial for
biodiversity, ecology, food production and nutrition. Global economic value of
pollination services is above US$ 800 billion which highlights its importance
for global food security and economic prosperity, Executive Director of Li-Bird,
Bharat Bhandari said.
He cited international agreements aimed at pollinator conservation
and said that the workshop's primary goal was to highlight the importance of
pollinators and pollination. According to him, UN Biodiversity Conference 2016
and 13th Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in Cancun of
Mexico had recognised pollinators' contribution in Sustainable Development
Goals and adopted an action plan for 2018-2030 with a goal to reverse the
decline of pollinators by 2030.
Statistics have shown that cultivation of pollinators-dependent
crops such as apple, citrus, cardamom, avocado, mango and kiwi has increased
3.7 times faster than non-pollinator dependent crops during the period of
2001-2018.
Bhandari identified several factors contributing to the
decline in pollinators, including climate change, intensive farming practices,
excessive pesticide use, and the destruction of forests and grasslands.
He also noted the dwindling number of wild bees and stressed
the need for a sustainable approach to pollinator management. He called for
immediate action to address climate and environmental crises and urged greater
coordination in pollinator conservation efforts.
Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary at the Ministry of
Agriculture and Livestock Development, stressed the need for strategic measures
to improve agriculture and livestock development in Karnali Province.
“Agriculture and livestock should be prioritised in Karnali. We must implement
plans effectively at the grassroots level,” Mishra said while calling for
collective efforts to ensure sustainable development in the region’s ecology
and agriculture.
Professor Rishi Ram Kattel of Agriculture and Forest
University, suggested to create a long-term strategy at least covering a period
of 15 to 20 years.
"But there have been more talks than actions. We need a
long-term strategy and policy and action plans should be formulated to achieve
that strategy," he said.
He stressed greater collaboration and cooperation among the
MoALD, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and concerned departments
and provincial agencies to achieve the goal.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 November 2024.
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