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Nepal’s farm sector needs a shot or two in the arm in view of changing weather patterns amid a deepening climate crisis and forgotten yet effective traditional agricultural practices. 

For revitalization of this sector, every farmer needs to know what crops (traditional, modern, cash crops, etc) can grow well in their land. It is the duty of every local government to make sure that the farmers know this.   

Who among these farmers want to opt for subsistence farming? Who wants to go for commercial farming and who prefers surplus farming?

Relevant authorities should take a call on this because the needs of these separate groups of farmers are quite different.    

Subsistence farmers need nothing, surplus farmers need guaranteed markets at their doorsteps whereas commercial farmers need guaranteed connections of national markets and knowledge to preserve their productions in a variety of ways. 

It is the duty of Palikas (rural municipalities) to lease the parcels of land to the poor people interested in farming or sell it to them by accepting payment in installments.  

Farmers also need to bear in mind that our ancestors switched to new crops in keeping with changing climatic conditions, including the availability of water. They need to realize that food patterns have been changing over generations and time has perhaps come yet again to change our food habits in keeping with a changing climate.  

In this regard, we can take a leaf from Vedic ancestors, who taught us to blend science and intellect and sustain it culturally.  For example, they taught us how to tap into the cosmic energy to rejuvenate ourselves. Planting Tulasi, Pipal and Sami was their way of ensuring a steady supply of pure oxygen and antioxidants.

Let us learn about sustainable development goals (SDGs) from our religious texts and cultural practices, and unlearn from the past efforts of government as well as non-government organizations (GOs/NGOs), if we are to indeed give sustainable development a boost in our soil. 

Commission-oriented practices of politicians and businesspersons, in particular, have led to soaring imports of substandard foodstuffs of inferior quality, making the Nepali farmers reluctant to cultivate crops. So, we must make it loud and clear to our neighbors that these food imports have made our people lazy, and increased health hazards.

Our import-oriented economy throws ample light on the country’s crop production scenario. Politicians least bothered about crop yields, a labor-intensive farming system, unethical business and trade practices, and consumption-oriented mindsets are responsible for inviting this situation. 

To overcome this scenario, let us make a matrix of our food demands, our production, the gaps, crops that we must grow, and local governments that can grow these crops.  This matrix will help to move ahead with crop production plans.  

Commitment requires continuity—in saying and doing—something, which can be done by developing all political parties’ consensual intent, programs, funding mechanisms and an accountable implementing agency, which will remain there regardless of who comes to power. But none of the rulers and potential rulers are heading in that direction, pointing at the absence of their commitment to the cause. 

Summing up, the Nepalis possess a number of indigenous skills to fill up their stomachs.  

Ignoring this heritage, we followed westernization in the name of modernization in the farm sector as well. So, let’s first learn to differentiate between the two and go for modernization of what we have. Secondly, our developmentalists adapted the deficiency thesis. Let’s follow an efficiency thesis to enable poor people for a self-sustaining economy.  Thirdly, let us encourage industrialists and businesspersons to establish organic industries.  Fourth, we exhausted our land by using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, sidelined the local and indigenous wisdom, and replaced indigenous crops. Let’s move ahead by learning lessons from these mistakes. Fifth, we became consumers and inhuman businesspersons to feed long grain rice and poisonous vegetables, poultries and pigs laced with chemicals. Let’s reflect on this moniya culture (money is supreme) and work for human and nature- friendly productions.

The CPN-UML has said that President Ram Chandra Paudel should initiate the government formation process as per Article 76(2) of the Constitution after the incumbent Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “loses the crucial floor test” in the Parliament on July 12.

A meeting of the party’s Secretariat meeting has taken such a decision. After the meeting, UML leader Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said: “There are no constitutional and legal ambiguities regarding the government formation process, there are precedents vis-a-vis government formation as per Article 76(2) of the constitution.” 

Furthermore, he said the NC and the UML will participate in the government on an equal basis.

It should be noted that NC and UML, the largest and the second largest party in the Parliament, have agreed to form a national unity government to address burning issues facing the country. 

Against this backdrop, the UML meeting has decided to strive for bringing in “more and more parties” in the government. While addressing the party meeting, party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli said there has not been any concrete agreement with the NC about forming a commission for suggesting ways to form the next government.

According to the UML chair, there has been a principled position on constitution amendment but no discussion has taken place (between the two parties) on specific issues concerning the amendment. Oli accused ‘some forces’ of trying to create confusion about the NC-UML agreement.

We have realized that some provisions in the Constitution should be amended in keeping with changing times, he said. Oli is of the view that Prime Minister Dahal, at the helm of a minority government after the UML’s recent withdrawal, is still working to prevent UML from forming the next government by refusing to step down.

The NC and UML have agreed to form a national unity government but the text of the agreement has not been made public yet. As things stand, Oli is supposed to become the PM in the first phase and then hand over power to Deuba for the remaining term. PM Dahal is seeking a vote of confidence on Friday amid speculations that odds are stacked against him.  

Meanwhile, the UML has issued a whip to all its members in the House of Representatives (HoR) to mandatorily attend a session of the lower house scheduled for July 12 and to vote against PM Dahal.

Cross-border electricity transmission lines with a combined capacity of 1,580 MW have been built and deployed for electricity trade between Nepal and India.

The voltage levels of these transmission lines range from 33 kV to 400 kV, with capacities from 45 MW to 800 MW. The 400 kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line alone can transmit 800 MW of electricity, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

NEA officials state that Nepal can immediately export up to 1,500 MW if India grants approval. Currently, NEA has permission to export 690 MW of hydropower to India. India has allowed Nepal to export power generated by Chilime, Solu Khola, Kabeli B-1, Likhu-4, Lower Modi, Solu-Dudhkosi, Dordi Khola, Upper Kalanga Gad, Upper Chamelia, Solu Khola, Super Madi, Upper Balephi 'A' and Upper Chaku 'A', among other projects.

NEA has been selling energy in the day-ahead market of the Indian Electricity Exchange (IEX) and has signed a five-year agreement to sell 200 MW of hydropower to the Indian state-owned company NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd.

The Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line is the only high-capacity cross-border line operational at present, with a maximum capacity of 2,000 MW. However, the two countries have agreed to transmit only up to 800 MW from this line.

Several other cross-border lines, including two 132 kV Kataiya-Kusbaha and Kataiya-Kusbaha II with capacity of 120 MW and 160 MW, respectively, the 132 kV Raxaul-Parwanipur (160 MW), Ramnagar-Gandak (65 MW), Mainiya-Sampatiya (160 MW), and Tanakpur-Mahendranagar (70 MW), are also in operation.

According to NEA officials, Nepal and India will have infrastructure to support transmission of 12,700 MW by 20230. Many transmission line projects are under different stages of construction. The 400 kV Dhalkebar-Sitamarhi transmission line with a capacity of 2,500 MW is one such project. The transmission line, which is dedicated to export power generated by the Arun III hydropower project, is expected to come into operation by 2025/26. The 132 kV Nepalgunj-Nanpara with a capacity of 200 MW is expected to be operational by 2025/26. 

Other notable 400 kV cross-border transmission line projects include New Butwal-Gorakhpur, Inaruwa-Purnea and Kohalpur-Lucknow. All these lines can transmit up to 2,500 MW.

NEA officials say Nepal has requested permission to export 1,200 MW this year. 

Nepal is in an energy surplus situation during wet months. The country, however, faces a shortfall of energy during the dry season when power generation by its run-of-river (RoR) projects shrink to nearly a third of installed capacity. This necessitates import from India during the dry months even though energy goes to waste during the wet months.

Talks are underway to export 40 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh using Indian energy infrastructure. Officials from Nepal and Bangladesh believe that the success of this power agreement could open doors for more energy cooperation between the two countries in the future.

In the last week of June, three people died and 16 others fell ill after consuming wild mushroom curry in Makwanpur district in Bagmati Province. These incidents are common during the monsoon season as people lack knowledge about wild mushrooms. The district security personnel of Makwanpur advised against eating wild mushrooms. However, this is not a solution. We need more awareness about our wild edible species.

According to available data, wild mushrooms in Nepal belong to 108 families, 357 genera, and 1,291 species. Among these, there are 159 edible mushrooms, 74 medicinal mushrooms, and 100 poisonous mushrooms.

Nepal’s traditional diet, rich in fresh, locally sourced ingredients, promotes health and well-being through nutrient-dense foods like lentils, vegetables, and whole grains, along with probiotic-rich fermented items. However, the growing trend of adopting Western dietary habits, often involving processed and packaged foods, raises concerns about losing the benefits of our own nutritious foods. It’s crucial to question if these new habits truly improve our health or if they compromise it by increasing the risk of chronic diseases and environmental impact. Supporting our traditional foods fosters better health, sustainability, and cultural heritage.

Foraging, the practice of searching for and collecting wild food resources, has a deep-rooted culture in Nepal. Seasonal foraging yields a diverse array of wild edibles such as ferns, fiddlehead ferns, wild asparagus, and yarsagumba (a medicinal fungus). Every season brings a new bounty of fruits and vegetables, mostly organic and naturally provided by Mother Nature. Many believe that consuming wild, seasonal foods can greatly enhance health, reducing the need for medical visits.

Foraging is practiced globally, with foragers in the UK harvesting wild garlic and dill, which can evoke nostalgia for similar Nepali herbs like chyapi. It’s said that foraging for your own food limits your carbon footprint and helps to maintain the natural landscape. Done correctly, it reconnects us to nature while limiting our impact on our natural surroundings. Humans need to be an active part of changing the environment—even on this small scale.

Foraging should be modest, carried out with an understanding of the plants, fungi, and the delicate balance of biodiversity within different habitats. This practice needs to be done by someone thoughtful, informed, with knowledge of the local area.

The practice of foraging yarsagumba is not sustainable, and the local governments and protected areas authorities are charging people to reduce this unsustainable way of foraging. Sustainable foraging is crucial to ensure that future generations can also experience and benefit from these natural resources. It involves mindful collection practices that do not deplete the ecosystem, ensuring plants and fungi can continue to thrive.

In Nepal, foraged produce includes:

Ferns and fiddlehead ferns: Popular in many Nepali dishes, rich in vitamins and minerals.

 Wild asparagus (Kurilo): Known for its medicinal properties and high nutrient content.

 Yarsagumba: A rare and valuable fungus used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits.

Wild berries and fruits: Various types are collected seasonally, providing essential vitamins and antioxidants.

Emphasizing foraging within our diets supports health, maintains biodiversity, and preserves cultural practices. Practicing sustainable foraging ensures these natural treasures remain available for future generations.

Edible and medicinal plants in Nepal

·  Githa (Dioscorea bulbifera): Often foraged during the monsoon season.

·  Bhyakur (Dioscorea deltoidea): Typically available in the monsoon season.

·  Tarul (Dioscorea alata): Harvested in the winter, especially around Maghe Sankranti.

·  Taro (Colocasia esculenta): Available during the monsoon and early autumn.

·  Chiuri Fruit (Diploknema butyracea): Collected in late summer to early autumn.

·  Kaphal (Myrica esculenta): Found in mid to high altitudes, foraged in late spring to early summer.

·  Wild Lemon (Bimiro): Available during the monsoon season.

·  Wild Strawberries: Found in hilly regions, available in late spring to early summer.

·  Amala (Phyllanthus emblica): Available in winter.

·  Chutro (Berberis asiatica): Collected in the autumn.

·  Siltimur (Zanthoxylum armatum): Foraged in the monsoon season.

·  Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum): Available in late summer to early autumn.

·  Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus): Found in spring.

·  Ban Lasun (Allium wallichii): Available in the monsoon season.

·  Wild Mushrooms: Collected during the monsoon season.

·  Ausadi: the mother of fermenting ingredients. Ausadi, a mixture of wild herbs and roots, plays a crucial role in the fermentation process for making traditional liquors across various communities in Nepal. This tradition is deeply rooted in cultural practices and is passed down through generations. Each region might have its own unique blend of herbs, contributing to the distinct flavors of their homemade liquors. This practice showcases the rich biodiversity of Nepal and the knowledge of local flora.

These foraged plants and fruits not only provide food but also have significant medicinal and cultural importance. They reflect the deep connection between the people of Nepal and their natural environment, highlighting sustainable living practices that have been maintained for centuries.

The author is UK-based R&D chef