Microbial Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal
Nepal’s agricultural sector, which employs a majority of the population, is increasingly benefiting from microbiology-based research. With the rising demand for organic farming and sustainable practices, researchers are exploring the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides derived from beneficial microbes.
Scientists from Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) and other local bodies are investigating soil-dwelling microorganisms like Rhizobium and Azospirillum, which promote plant growth and nitrogen fixation. Research has shown that crops grown with microbial treatments have better yield and resilience against pests.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to preserve indigenous microbial strains from Nepal’s varied ecological zones—ranging from the Terai lowlands to the Himalayan highlands. These microbes may hold the key to climate-resilient agriculture in the face of changing weather patterns.
