Community managed maize seed production program: an experience of ARS, Lumle

The main objective of the program was to initiate participatory on farm maize seed production in order to meet the local level seed demand and develop as an enterprise. A total of fifty-nine households were involved in seed multiplication program. The program was conducted at four villages namely Dudhekhola (river basin), Arthunge (mid hill), Bhakimli (high hill) of Myagdi district and Deurali (mid hill) of Palpa district in the western hills of Nepal. Agricultural Research Station, Lumle assisted to establish the revolving fund in a group to make the program sustainable. Farmers from Dudhekhola produced 1.0 mt of seed (Arun 1) from 2.0 hectares of land and 1.85 mt of seed from Arthunge seed (Manakamana 1) from 3.0 hectares. All together 2.85 mt of seed was sold to different agencies at the rate of Rs. 18.0 per kg during summer season of 2000. Farmers from Bhakkimli prooduced 2.3 mt of (Manakamana 1) from 2.5 hectares of land and 1.0 mt of White Hill Pool from 1.5 hectares at Bhakimli, Myagdi. Similarly, farmers from Deaurali, Palpa produced 1.0 mt of (Manakamana 3) from 1.2 hectares, 0.05 mt of ZM 621 from 0.03 hectare and was 0.05 mt of Yellow Hill Pool from 0.02 hectare. A total of 3.4 mt. of seed was sold to different agencies at the rate of Rs. 18.0 per kg and the remaining seeds were exchanged among the farmers or sold as cash. Marketing agencies for maize seed enterprises were ARS, Lumle, ADOs, Agrovets and Seed Sector support project. The net return from a hectare of land of Arun 1 was Rs. 23866.0 per hectare at river basin (Dhudhekhola) and Rs. 18656.0 per hectare from Manakamana 1 and gross product of maize seed output/input ratio was 2.17 and 1.77 respectively at each location during 2000. Similarly, net return from a hectare of land was Rs. 25093.0 in mid hill, Deurali and Rs. 23750.0 per hectare from high hill Bhakimli. The outpur/input ratio was 2.10 at Deurali and Palpa where 2.05 at Bhakimli in 2001. Community based maize seed production program was implemented successfully with the active participation of researchers, extension workers, I/NGOs and farmers.