ABSTRACT
Established in 1994, Dalchowki is the site of Nepal's first community seed bank. The seed bank has also started to collect, evaluate and characterize rare and unique crop varieties with technical support from Group of Helping Hands (SAHAS) Nepal, the national gene bank and USC Canada. The seed bank tries to maintain records of transactions with farmers, crops and varieties; prices are set by the executive committee. In 2009, an independent review of the community seed bank, carried out with support from USC Canada, recommended ways to strengthen management and operations. The seed bank is also a member of the recently formed National Network of Community Seed Banks of Nepal. The national policy environment has become more favourable for community seed banks. The local government, particularly the Village District Committee and other formal and informal institutions, are taking a positive view towards helping the seed bank strengthen and expand its activities for the benefit of the larger farming community.
