Status of agricultural genetic resources of Dadeldhura district

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Heading towards the far west of Nepal, the remoteness is more true to life. Preserved by such remoteness is its native lifestyle, culture,  language, occupation, agriculture, food, etc. Agriculture, including livestock and poultry, is the major engagement of people here. Because of its remoteness, improved varieties and breeds have relatively poor penetration. As a result, the uses of local landraces are less disrupted and remain in the natural gene pool. Despite its poor yield, these traditional local races offer certain economically beneficial characteristics, like stress and disease resistance, and other adaptive features. So, agricultural genetic resources in the far west of Nepal are quite a thing to be explored.

Dadeldhura is one of the districts in Sudurpaschim province. The district with Dadeldhura as its headquarter is well served with a road network and is the gateway to various hilly districts of the region such as Accham, Doti, Baitadi, Bajura, etc. Blessed with such a strategic location, the district has the potential to be a regional hub. Farmers in Dadeldhura grow diverse crops as well as unique/rare crops which include Amaranths, Amilarcha, Barley, Beans, Black gram, Buckwheat, Coriander, Cowpea, Finger millet, Foxtail millet, Horse gram, Lentil, Maize, Mustard, Pea, Pumpkin, Rice, Ricebean, Sesame, Soybean, Wheat, etc. Varietal diversity in major crops such as rice, maize, wheat, soybean, and beans are also found here.
 
Table: Varietal diversity of major crops of Dadeldhura

S.N

Crops

Local name of varieties 

1

Rice 

Shyam Giro, Daule Ghaiya, Bhutyal Ghaiya, Chatunge Dhan, Sunaulo Ghaiya Rato Dhan, Subedi Jhuse Ghaiya, Salo Dhan, Morade Marsho, Marshi, Chhoti, Jaule (Ghaiya), Parmal, Chainpure, Sali Dhan, Shyam Zero Seto, Tude Dhan, UJkalo dhan

2

Maize

Sathiya makai, Local Seto Makai

3

Wheat

Pahadi Gahun, Gharelu Gahun, Local Gahun

4

Soybean

Kalo Thulo Bhatta, Rato Bhatta, kalo Thulo Bhatta, Seto Bhatta, Nepali Bhatta, Khairo Bhatta

5 

Beans

Local simi, Seto Sutho, Khalenge Shotto, Kalo Simi, Rato Simi


Along with these crops, Dadeldhura is famous for sweet orange, namely Mausami. The Mausami from Dadeldhura is produced from Chaitra to Jestha, which is an off-season month for Masami in Nepal and India. Mausami from Dadeldhura are large, juicy, late maturing, can be harvested until February, and fetch a high price. In order to save these landraces, conservationists and scientists across the nation have prioritized Dadeldhura along with other regions of Sudurpachhim for germplasm collection. 

Amongst three identified local breeds of buffalo Gaddi buffaloes are native to the far-west and found abundantly in Dadeldhura. They are larger in size, produce more milk, docile, and can adapt to rigorous feeding systems. Gaddi buffalo are superior to any other indigenous breeds in the country. However, due to poor management practices, lack of awareness, and introduction of improved sires; their productivity and number of purebred animals are declining gradually.

Dadeldhura was almost all dense forest a decade ago. The huge forest covered more than 75 percent of the territory. However, extensive deforestation and encroachment by human settlements have reduced forest cover by nearly half. Sal forests though declined are still treasures of Dadedldhura. These forests are a habitat for several herbs used for phytotherapy and traditional medicine in Dadeldhura. From a study done in 1994, a total of 47 species of plants including one species of pteridophyte, four monocotyledons, and 42 dicotyledons, and 17 types of diseases treated, were identified in the district. Medicinal uses of 15 species (31%) were unrecorded from other parts of the country. These herbs, however, have depleted to a greater extent along with the depletion of forests. 

In a nutshell, Dadeldhura being remote and inaccessible in general shows the existence of land races to be collected and preserved properly. These resources are a true treasure. For instance, the UJkalo rice variety(meaning upland variety in local language) from Dadeldhura district can tolerate drought and is very suitable for upland conditions. These useful traits could be used for further crop improvement through different breeding techniques. Adding to this is the Gaddi buffalo, the superior idegionius breed in the country which is at the verge of being depleted. Thus the richness in agro diversity of Dadeldhura district seeks for attention regarding its  further exploration and preservation.  


Gaddi Buffalo at Doti Ghatal, Amargadi Municipality, Dadeldhura



Mausami from Dadeldhura

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