According to Janaki Datta Neupane, scientist at the science and technology division of the Nepal Agriculture and Research Council (NARC), the new technology helps protect seeds from water and fungus. [break]
“The technology was developed with the help of zeolite -- a mineral formed in cavities in lava flows and in plutonic rocks -- that helps reduce the quantity of water in seeds,” Neupane said.
According to Neupane, high quantity of water in seeds reduce the germination power. “Now, the new technology increases the germination power which helps farmers,” he said. Dr Pitamber Dahal, agriculture scientist at the University of California, jointly with his team discovered the technology.
The new technology has been already been tested in India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Kenya. “NARC has conducted a successful test of the technology in Pokhara, Sarlahi and Dailkekh in cucumber, tomato and okra seeds,” Neupane said.
Farmers in Banepa have expressed optimism that the new technology will help them reap better harvest. Traditionally, farmers dry the seeds in the sun to remove the water in the seeds.
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