Training on identification and preservation of traditional food of indigenous communities

Bharatpur (Chitwan): The organisations working for the cause of indigenous communities have come together to identify and preserve the traditional food delicacies of various indigenous nationalities across the country.

A five-day training on bio-restoration techniques and food systems rooted in indigenous traditions has kicked off in Bharatpur Chitwan on Monday. A total of 54 participants from 26 organisations are taking part in the training.

Inaugurating the training, Minister for Forest and Environment of Bagmati Province, Krishna Silwal, emphasised the urgency to conserve the traditional crop seeds such as barley, buckwheat, kaguno and uwa that are on the verge of extinction.

Shedding light on the adverse impacts of climate change on Nepal’s food system, the Minister asserted the international community should pay attention towards it.

Likewise, Bagmati Province Assembly member Bharati Pathak saw the need to protect food system in Nepal that, he added, is closely connected to water, forest and land.

Vice-Chancellor of the Agriculture and Forestry University, Prof Dr Sharada Thapaliya, urged the indigenous communities to preserve and promote their indigenous crops as a crucial part of their cultural identity.

She informed the trainees that her University had begun incorporating study materials on the indigenous crops in its academic curriculum.

Yubraj Jirel, Central Vice-President of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities expressed concern over modernization disrupting the traditional food system thereby leading to endangering the native seeds.

On the occasion, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representatives for Nepal, Ken Shimizu presented a working paper on the global status of indigenous communities and their food system.

During the training, 10 experts including three from India will train participants on bio-restoration and identification of indigenous food.