An improved version of a local traditional rice variety of Pokhara Jethobudho has been approved by the national Variety Approval and Release and Registration Committee (VAARC) of the National Seed Board of Nepal.

Farmers in Nepal’s Pokhara valley. Photo source: IPGRI

Farmers in Nepal’s Pokhara valley. Photo source: IPGRI
“The release of Pokhareli Jethobudho is the result of a great collaborative effort involving farmers, NGOs, NARS, extension workers and the private sector” says International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources Policy Initiative (IPGRI)’s Bhuwon Sthapit, one of the coordinators of the project.

Deep in the Pokhara valley, farmers from Begnas, Pame and surrounding villages in the Kaski district have been growing Jethobudho for generations.

“Jethobudho rice is one of the varieties favoured by consumers because of its soft texture and its unique aroma and flavour,” explains Sthapit

“The release of Pokhareli Jethobudho has paved the way for establishing intellectual property rights for Nepal’s farming communities” says Pratap Shrestha, Executive Director of LI-BIRD a local NGO, which had helped to develop the new variety.