Demonstration of vermicompost preparation technique at Rayale
Rayale, ward no 1 of Panauti municipality in Kavrepalanchok District in the Bagmati Zone ofcentral Nepal is situated 4½ km northwest of Panauti. Rayale is one of the agriculture stations of country with high vegetable and citrus production. However, recently citrus decline is observed resulting loss in citrus production in the area. Therefore, to address this problem, disease survey and condition of citrus orchards were explored in this study. Additionally, fertilizers are not available adequate amount. Therefore, to solve the problem of insufficient fertilizer, this study has focused in empowering the farmers with sharing the vermicompost technique. Vermicompost is nutrient rich and can be prepared using local resources in less investment. Training on vermicompost preparation and citrus disease and its management were provided to farmers at Rayale.
Promoting organic agricultural practices
Excessive application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides significantly reduced the vegetable yield, fertility of the soil, and cultivable land in Nepal (CBS 2018). Furthermore, phytotoxicity and chemical residues may pose a severe threat to the biotic communities and environment. Nepal has been experiencing various environmental and health hazards due to the misuse of pesticides (Klarman 1987, Baker and Gyawali 1994, Dahal 1995, Sharma et al., 2013). Therefore, to ameliorate this situation, the use of microbial formulations is urgent. Limited infrastructure and research funding for the development of microbial formulations is a great challenge in Nepal, which needs to be addressed to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to eradicate poverty and hunger from Nepal. A recent trend shows that farmers in Nepal are switching toward organic farming (OF). However, disease management in organic farms seems to be the most emerging problem. Nowadays, almost all farmers are aware of the harmful effects of excessive use of chemicals in agricultural fields. However, the use of bioinoculants (biopesticides and biofertilizer) persistently is rare because of its late response and lack of information about them. Especially, vermi-compost has shown better effect as biofertilizer for different crops and plants. Moreover, the pesticide and fertilizer market in Nepal is solely dependent on imports. Additionally, promoting organic farming and good agricultural practice could help in solving different problems faced by farmers in the area.
Environment awarness program series
On July 29th 2022, Shrawan 13, 2079 Kiwanis club of Kathmandu Nepalaya, Kantipur and Lalitpur with Research Institute of Agriculture and Applied Science jointly organized Environmental awareness program at Dhmbarahi secondary school, Dhumbarahi . We organized oratory competition on topic’ My role in waste management. The overall objective of this program is to make our future generation to be responsible for protecting environment for coming generations to come.
12 student of class 8,9 10 participated in the competition and about 130 students were present. Kamala Tamang, Aashaika , Km student of class nine, Nawaraj Khanal , Arjun karki student of class 10 secured 1st ,2nd 3rd and 4th place respectively. It was nice to know that students had basic knowledge on organic and inorganic waste. They explained that they use organic waste to make compost and apply in roof top farming. They explained they made the decorative items with the waste like bottles, leftover pencils. Few even had knowledge about the waste water treatment. Some had knowledge about agricultural used about organic manure and about selling them. Some explained how they generated income from waste to buy their own stationary. Overall the program was hosted jointly by school and club. Principal Sujata Shrestha welcomed the team and expressed that such program can encourage the students. Dr. Anupama Shrestha, Reserach director of RIAAS/ club president mentioned that role of environment safety is everyone responsibility and it should be taught from the childhood. This would in turn help to create clean, green and healthy earth for future generations to come.
Environment awarness program
The lecture series providing different environmental aspect to school students from class 8- 10 under this program. The main objective of this project is to raise awareness about Environmental pollution. We conducted online lecture on Sep 23 on “Environmental Pollution and Solid Waste Management” at Baylor International Academy, 150 students of grade 8, 9 ,10 participated in this program.
RIAAS sponsored this program and Kiwanis Club of Kathmandu Nepalaya Organized the program.
