Agricultural production systems in developing countries are characterised by mixed farming, small holdings and labour-intensive production, low use of external inputs, dominance of local plant varieties and animal breeds, subsistence production and little integration with market, and low to partial use of modern technologies. As a result of the high diversity of farm enterprises, production environments and socio-cultural requirements, the agricultural innovations emerging from formal-sector institutions are not only inadequate but are also usually less suitable for the production environments and the needs of local farmers. For these reasons, LI-BIRD has been promoting participatory approaches to agricultural production by building on farmers' local knowledge and innovation. The goal of the programme is to improve livelihoods of resource poor and marginalized people through increased food security, nutrition and income generation.

The focus areas of the programme are as follows:

• Participatory plant and animal genetic resource improvement, including participatory variety/ breed selection, participatory plant/animal breeding
• Community-based seed production and distribution systems
• Integrated agricultural production
• Promotion of local knowledge and innovation
• Enterprise development and market promotion
• Policy and social research for promotion of innovation systems in agricultural production

Ongoing Projects :

• PPB in high potential production systems—Validating PPB products, testing different breeding methods and scaling up of new rice varieties.
• Strengthening Community based seed production and Scaling up of improved Maize variety in Gulmi and Palpa districts.
• PROmoting Local INNOVAtion (PROLINNOVA) Nepal Program
• Improving Livelihood Security of Socially-Excluded Communities of Nepal (ILISSCON).

View list of completed projects