Chitwan based National Maize Research Program (NMRP) reached the conclusion after it conducted lab researches of such seeds. Given the risks of crop failure, the government has asked farmers to use only registered hybrid maize seeds. Only 16 types of hybrid maize seeds imported from India have been registered in Nepal. [break]
"Farmers who used unregistered seeds namely X 92, Sandhya and Pioneer 3404 are facing loss in productions," Dr Keshav Babu Koirala, Chief of NRMP told Republica on Saturday.
"A team of researchers went to Dumarwana, Nizgardh and Phattepur of Bara week to conduct research after we heard about the problem," said Koirala.
According to Koirala, leaves of maize plants are falling off causing the plants to lose production.
Koirala, who was also in the field for research, said they were requesting farmers not to use the unregistered seeds. "We are also trying to raise awareness and are meeting agro vet people not to sell unregistered seeds to the farmers," he added.
Meanwhile, Mid-Regional Agriculture Directorate (MRAD) has also confirmed the problem in Bara district. "A team from MRAD set out for field study last Thursday," Koirala said. "They also confirmed what we had found."
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