Agricultural Policies and Practices: Pathways for Transformation

Agriculture has been a cornerstone of human civilization for thousands years, providing food and other essential resources to sustain our societies. However, as we enter the 21st century, face unprecedented challenges that threaten very foundations agricultural systems. Climate change, resource depletion, population growth are just few issues demand urgent attention from policymakers practitioners alike. Further, growing population, climate recent COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine-Russia war, depreciation national currencies have disrupted global supply chain increased prices insecurity in many countries, including Nepal. The Nepalese agriculture sector alone contributed employment opportunities more than 60 % with 23.9% share total value added economy (Ministry Finance, 2022). Though majority farmers Nepal engaged sector, there is still dominance traditional subsistence country's production not enough feed its population. continued rise import bills volume products years major challenge country. Addressing these constraints warrants consortia efforts government, nonprofits, private sectors promote sustainable regenerative concepts practices align local farm attributes agroecological environment. With above mentioned issue, Policy Research Institute, publisher NPPR, collaborated Association Agricultural Professionals Americas (NAPA) utilization expert knowledge public policy making discussion. PRI open collaborating any professional intellectual society issues. Thereof, two-day (January 6-7, 2023) virtual symposium on "Agricultural Policies Practices Nepal: Pathways Transformation" was jointly organized by NAPA aim discuss synthesize structural, intervention-related procedural, barriers inherent inadequate recommend transformative pragmatic policies, programs, feasible at local, regional, levels. collaborators were Ministry Livestock Development (MoALD), Council (NARC), Forestry University (AFU), Institute Animal Sciences (IAAS, Tribhuvan University), Cooperative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL), Society Scientists-Nepal (SAS-Nepal). 38 papers presented brought together over 500 researchers, policymakers, around world. highlighted importance innovative policies can help transform ensure sustainability future generations. facilitated four thematic areas. theme an analysis current laws, regulations hindered marketing products, land use viable circular economy, promoting cooperative farming, diversity, internationally successful suitable Research, Education, Extension included diverse subject matters. These genetic improvement crops livestock agro-climatic zones; technology innovations dissemination; science-based extension practices; climate-smart organic agriculture; agri-business entrepreneurship; commercial integration research, education, extension. Similarly, Technology Infrastructure focused varied avenues (such UAV, GIS, Remote Sensing), mechanization, smart efficient irrigation optimize costs production, labor, fertilizer shortages, monitoring plant soil health Finally, Governance underpinned coherence discordance between frameworks governing structures/mechanisms three levels government realignment transformation well governance framework service delivery municipality level. partnerships collaborations driving transformational change. discussed potential public-private partnerships, multi-stakeholder platforms, forms collaboration leverage resources, knowledge, scale up solutions. This special issue received 20 publication consideration, however, after review process, it able manage 12 publication. provide rich set insights into pathways transforming agriculture. They offer both practical guidance theoretical seeking navigate complex facing today. We hope this will inspire further research action towards equitable future. thank all authors who reviewers provided their valuable feedback. also extend appreciation organizers collaborators. encourage additional authors/presenters submit NPPR’s Regular Issue, which be published September 2023.