Under this experiment four activities: Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS), Diversity Block, Head to Row Selection and Seed Multiplication were conducted at three sites during summer season in 2004. In PVS set, six genotypes including one local check were planned in four replications (each farmer as a replication) at each site. Farmers were given seed for each activity and asked to plant and manage according to their practices. At harvest, they were asked to evaluate the genotypes. At Khanigaun and Pipaltar, farmers preferred their local Pahenli and Chitaune, Mudke respectively. While at Kahre, most preferred genotype as Acc #523-1. Although result of grain yield was not significant.In Diversity Block, at Khanigaun, Pahenli mudke, Chaure kodo, Chitaune and Seto Dalle wereselected. At Pipaltar, farmers selected Seto jhape, Mudke kodo, Chaure kodo, Kalo jhape andChitaune. Similarly at Kabre, Seto jhape and Chaure Kodo were selected.In Head to Row Selection, out of 144 lines 150 best selected head were bulked to further improvement Likewise two best performing genotypes were planted at each site for seedmultiplication.

Under this experiment four activities: Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS), Diversity Block, Head to Row Selection and Seed Multiplication were conducted at three sites during summer season in 2004. In PVS set, six genotypes including one local check were planned in four replications (each farmer as a replication) at each site. Farmers were given seed for each activity and asked to plant and manage according to their practices. At harvest, they were asked to evaluate the genotypes. At Khanigaun and Pipaltar, farmers preferred their local Pahenli and Chitaune, Mudke respectively. While at Kahre, most preferred genotype as Acc #523-1. Although result of grain yield was not significant.In Diversity Block, at Khanigaun, Pahenli mudke, Chaure kodo, Chitaune and Seto Dalle wereselected. At Pipaltar, farmers selected Seto jhape, Mudke kodo, Chaure kodo, Kalo jhape andChitaune. Similarly at Kabre, Seto jhape and Chaure Kodo were selected.In Head to Row Selection, out of 144 lines 150 best selected head were bulked to further improvement Likewise two best performing genotypes were planted at each site for seedmultiplication.

180 and 219 millet genotypes obtained from different source were evaluated under field condition at Kabre and Pokhara to find out sources of resistance toblast disease respectively for consecutive two years 2003 and 2004. Maximumnumber of.fingermillet cultivars 154 at Kabre and 106 at Pokhara were resistant to blast disease. Among them ·millet genotypes such as KLE-118, KLE-123, KLE-159, KLE-176, KLE-277, GE-498, GE-509, GE-517, GE-518, GE-519 & GE-521 were recorded upto resistant to FB & NB at both locations and agronomically superior that might be used in breeding programme to develop new millet varieties of desired characters and some  of them could be recommended for general cultivation.

180 and 219 millet genotypes obtained from different source were evaluated under field condition at Kabre and Pokhara to find out sources of resistance toblast disease respectively for consecutive two years 2003 and 2004. Maximumnumber of.fingermillet cultivars 154 at Kabre and 106 at Pokhara were resistant to blast disease. Among them ·millet genotypes such as KLE-118, KLE-123, KLE-159, KLE-176, KLE-277, GE-498, GE-509, GE-517, GE-518, GE-519 & GE-521 were recorded upto resistant to FB & NB at both locations and agronomically superior that might be used in breeding programme to develop new millet varieties of desired characters and some  of them could be recommended for general cultivation.

180 and 219 cultivars of fingermllet genotypesreceived from various national as well asinternational institutions were evaluated under fieldcondition at Kabre  and Lumle  continuouslyfor two years 2003 and 2004 respectively to find out sources of resistance to Cercospora leafspot. Maximum number of fingermillet cultivated 82at Kabre and 18 at Lumle were resistant toCercospora leaf spot. Among them millet genotypessuch as KLE-154, KLE-157, KLE-167, KLE-216, KLE-247,   KLE-248,   KLE-255,   KLE-290,   GE-SIS,  COLL#KN-26, COLL#KN-59   and Coll.#GYN-48 were recorded upto moderately resistant to the  disease  and  agronomicallysuperior for both year  at Kabre and one year  at Lumle thai might be used in breeding programmeto develop new millet varieties and some of them could be recommended for general  cultivation.

180 and 219 cultivars of fingermllet genotypesreceived from various national as well asinternational institutions were evaluated under fieldcondition at Kabre  and Lumle  continuouslyfor two years 2003 and 2004 respectively to find out sources of resistance to Cercospora leafspot. Maximum number of fingermillet cultivated 82at Kabre and 18 at Lumle were resistant toCercospora leaf spot. Among them millet genotypessuch as KLE-154, KLE-157, KLE-167, KLE-216, KLE-247,   KLE-248,   KLE-255,   KLE-290,   GE-SIS,  COLL#KN-26, COLL#KN-59   and Coll.#GYN-48 were recorded upto moderately resistant to the  disease  and  agronomicallysuperior for both year  at Kabre and one year  at Lumle thai might be used in breeding programmeto develop new millet varieties and some of them could be recommended for general  cultivation.

A survey programme was conducted on fingermillet in 2004 to hilly regions of the eastern and . western part of the country to know the situation of millet diseases and to study about them. Some millet growing of Dolakha,  Sidhupalchowk,  Syanja, Tanahu, Kaski  & Nuwakot  district were visited and appearance diseases were recorded at randomly selecting Ten plants in each field. Blast (Pyricularia grisea), Cercospora Leaf spot (Cercospora eleusine) and Helminthosporium leaf spot (Helminthosporium spp.) were observed among them Cercospora leaf spot disease was found only  at higher altitude. Low severities of major diseases (Blast and CLS) were observed in all districts. Finger blast was observed ·up to resistant reaction in all the surveyed districts. The agronomically superior cultivars should be selected to maintain the genetic purity and seed multiplication programme for next season to distribute the farmers of that area.

A survey programme was conducted on fingermillet in 2004 to hilly regions of the eastern and . western part of the country to know the situation of millet diseases and to study about them. Some millet growing of Dolakha,  Sidhupalchowk,  Syanja, Tanahu, Kaski  & Nuwakot  district were visited and appearance diseases were recorded at randomly selecting Ten plants in each field. Blast (Pyricularia grisea), Cercospora Leaf spot (Cercospora eleusine) and Helminthosporium leaf spot (Helminthosporium spp.) were observed among them Cercospora leaf spot disease was found only  at higher altitude. Low severities of major diseases (Blast and CLS) were observed in all districts. Finger blast was observed ·up to resistant reaction in all the surveyed districts. The agronomically superior cultivars should be selected to maintain the genetic purity and seed multiplication programme for next season to distribute the farmers of that area.

Two activities:  a Diamond Trial and a Density cum Fertilizer trail were conducted under thisproject.   Diamond   Trial was   conducted   at Khanigaun,   Pipaltar and   Kabre   sites   in four replications whereas Density cum Fertilizer Trial was conducted in three replications only at Hill. Crops  Research Programme (HCRP), Kabre. Farmers' preferred Local Variety/ Improve Practice at two sites Khanigaun  and Pipaltar  out of three sites in Diamond  Trial. Whereas at Kabre, they preferred Improve Variety/ Improve Practice.In Density cum Fertilizer Trial four levels of spacing: 10 X15 cm, 10X10 cm and 10X5 cm and farmer  Practice along with two doses of fertilizer:  50: 30: 30 NPK kg/ha and farmer  Practice were applied. The experimental result showed IO X IO em spacing along with 50: 30: 30 NPK/ha · followed- with I0 X 5 cm spacing along with farmers practice were promising.

Two activities:  a Diamond Trial and a Density cum Fertilizer trail were conducted under thisproject.   Diamond   Trial was   conducted   at Khanigaun,   Pipaltar and   Kabre   sites   in four replications whereas Density cum Fertilizer Trial was conducted in three replications only at Hill. Crops  Research Programme (HCRP), Kabre. Farmers' preferred Local Variety/ Improve Practice at two sites Khanigaun  and Pipaltar  out of three sites in Diamond  Trial. Whereas at Kabre, they preferred Improve Variety/ Improve Practice.In Density cum Fertilizer Trial four levels of spacing: 10 X15 cm, 10X10 cm and 10X5 cm and farmer  Practice along with two doses of fertilizer:  50: 30: 30 NPK kg/ha and farmer  Practice were applied. The experimental result showed IO X IO em spacing along with 50: 30: 30 NPK/ha · followed- with I0 X 5 cm spacing along with farmers practice were promising.

The finger millet growing project sites in Pipaltar and Khanigaun  of Nuwakot and Kala bang andRalmare of Kaski district under Hill Crop Research Program, Kabre and LI-BIRD, Kaski were visited with the purpose to prepare the maps of the resource base in two districts. Participatoryapproach was adopted to map the resource base existing in the two finger millet growing districts. Resource base information was then put into digital maps along with otherinfrastructures.

The finger millet growing project sites in Pipaltar and Khanigaun  of Nuwakot and Kala bang andRalmare of Kaski district under Hill Crop Research Program, Kabre and LI-BIRD, Kaski were visited with the purpose to prepare the maps of the resource base in two districts. Participatoryapproach was adopted to map the resource base existing in the two finger millet growing districts. Resource base information was then put into digital maps along with otherinfrastructures.

The finger millet growing project sites in Pipaltar and Khanigaun  of Nuwakot and Kala bang andRalmare of Kaski district under Hill Crop Research Program, Kabre and LI-BIRD, Kaski were visited with the purpose to prepare the maps of the resource base in two districts. Participatoryapproach was adopted to map the resource base existing in the two finger millet growing districts. Resource base information was then put into digital maps along with otherinfrastructures.

The finger millet growing project sites in Pipaltar and Khanigaun  of Nuwakot and Kala bang andRalmare of Kaski district under Hill Crop Research Program, Kabre and LI-BIRD, Kaski were visited with the purpose to prepare the maps of the resource base in two districts. Participatoryapproach was adopted to map the resource base existing in the two finger millet growing districts. Resource base information was then put into digital maps along with otherinfrastructures.

Participatory variety selection (PVS), diversity block (DB) and Community based seedProduction (CBSP) are used as participatory approaches of experimenting with landraces /varietal options in on-farm. We found these approaches less adopted in neglected but nutritiousfood crops such as finger millet. In this paper we describe various participatory approaches ofon-farm experimentation and scaling up of farmers preferred landraces and/or varieties. We useddiversity block as an entry point to understand farmers preferred traits, enhance farmers' participation in on-farm trials and blend farmers' knowledge in landrace enhancement and seedproduction activities. Participatory variety selection identified farmers preferred varieties GPU-25, ACC523-1 and Okhle-1 in Kaski districts. Community based seed production was adopted tomultiply seed of these varieties and linked to District Agricultural  Development  Offices to scaleup farmers preferred varieties in the region. We have described the landrace enhancement ofKalo Dalle and Samdhi Kodo.

Participatory variety selection (PVS), diversity block (DB) and Community based seedProduction (CBSP) are used as participatory approaches of experimenting with landraces /varietal options in on-farm. We found these approaches less adopted in neglected but nutritiousfood crops such as finger millet. In this paper we describe various participatory approaches ofon-farm experimentation and scaling up of farmers preferred landraces and/or varieties. We useddiversity block as an entry point to understand farmers preferred traits, enhance farmers' participation in on-farm trials and blend farmers' knowledge in landrace enhancement and seedproduction activities. Participatory variety selection identified farmers preferred varieties GPU-25, ACC523-1 and Okhle-1 in Kaski districts. Community based seed production was adopted tomultiply seed of these varieties and linked to District Agricultural  Development  Offices to scaleup farmers preferred varieties in the region. We have described the landrace enhancement ofKalo Dalle and Samdhi Kodo.

Ll-B!RD in partneship  with of private  entrepreneurs initiated value addition through product diversification and marker promotion  in one of the socially neglected but nutritionally rich food crop: finger millet   in  Pokhara  Nepal. The  local  interdisciplinary·  team  identified   working modality  through  participatoryworkshops  involving private  entrepreneurs  such  as  Madhav's cafe, Shital Agro-products as well as public sectors such as regional food  laboratory, agriculture extension  and  academic  institutions.  A few popular  value  added products  developed,  include millet Bread,  Cookies, Rolls, roasted .Millet based flour (Knophe) and Namkin.These products were targeted to a wide range of consumers: intellectual, diabet ics, and young generation people in urban areas. Similarly, twenty one women farmers from seven rural and peri-urban villages were trained  to  develop resource person for   diversifying  millet foods   like Namkin , Haluwa,Malpuwa, Selroti  etc.   suitable  for household preparations. These   millet products were demonstrated  in  local fairs and festivals and  other special  occasions  like  world food   day  to collect consumers' feedback, raise awareness as well as promoting in the market. In response to these initiatives, some private entrepreneurs such as Annapuma Pouroti Udgyog, Sital Agro ­ product  and Kundhar Khaja Udyog have entered into commercial production and  marketing of finger millet based products in Pokhara.

Ll-B!RD in partneship  with of private  entrepreneurs initiated value addition through product diversification and marker promotion  in one of the socially neglected but nutritionally rich food crop: finger millet   in  Pokhara  Nepal. The  local  interdisciplinary·  team  identified   working modality  through  participatoryworkshops  involving private  entrepreneurs  such  as  Madhav's cafe, Shital Agro-products as well as public sectors such as regional food  laboratory, agriculture extension  and  academic  institutions.  A few popular  value  added products  developed,  include millet Bread,  Cookies, Rolls, roasted .Millet based flour (Knophe) and Namkin.These products were targeted to a wide range of consumers: intellectual, diabet ics, and young generation people in urban areas. Similarly, twenty one women farmers from seven rural and peri-urban villages were trained  to  develop resource person for   diversifying  millet foods   like Namkin , Haluwa,Malpuwa, Selroti  etc.   suitable  for household preparations. These   millet products were demonstrated  in  local fairs and festivals and  other special  occasions  like  world food   day  to collect consumers' feedback, raise awareness as well as promoting in the market. In response to these initiatives, some private entrepreneurs such as Annapuma Pouroti Udgyog, Sital Agro ­ product  and Kundhar Khaja Udyog have entered into commercial production and  marketing of finger millet based products in Pokhara.

This paper   is  an  outcome  of  the  NUS-  Finger  millet project  implememet   by  LI-BIRD  in collaboration  with  NARC  and private  entrepreneurs  in Kaski  district. It describes various methods used to promote one of the most neglected cereal crop; Finger millet despite its rich nutritional  values.  The project identified two main reasons for neglecting millet foods; lack of awareness   on   its   nutrition   and   less product   recipes   among   consumers   and   therefore, disseminated nutritional importance of millet foods via local FM radio, fairs & festivals, folksong competition, school programmes,  workshop/seminars and other printed forms in urban and peri­ urban villages of Kaski. Diverse millet products were developed and linked withcafe, farmers' cooperatives and supermarkets for promotion.  It has increased demand of millet flour and products in the urban market of Pokhara. At the mean time, perception ofrural people towards millet food has been changed positively. It has resulted growing millet crop with value in project villages. Among various awareness methods used, FA1 radio, print material. fairs and festivals proved  more  effective.  School awareness programme can  change  the perception of  young generations  quickly . Thus, conducting awareness campaign has been realized to promote  the utilization of fingermillet that further contributes to on-farm conserva tion as well.

This paper   is  an  outcome  of  the  NUS-  Finger  millet project  implememet   by  LI-BIRD  in collaboration  with  NARC  and private  entrepreneurs  in Kaski  district. It describes various methods used to promote one of the most neglected cereal crop; Finger millet despite its rich nutritional  values.  The project identified two main reasons for neglecting millet foods; lack of awareness   on   its   nutrition   and   less product   recipes   among   consumers   and   therefore, disseminated nutritional importance of millet foods via local FM radio, fairs & festivals, folksong competition, school programmes,  workshop/seminars and other printed forms in urban and peri­ urban villages of Kaski. Diverse millet products were developed and linked withcafe, farmers' cooperatives and supermarkets for promotion.  It has increased demand of millet flour and products in the urban market of Pokhara. At the mean time, perception ofrural people towards millet food has been changed positively. It has resulted growing millet crop with value in project villages. Among various awareness methods used, FA1 radio, print material. fairs and festivals proved  more  effective.  School awareness programme can  change  the perception of  young generations  quickly . Thus, conducting awareness campaign has been realized to promote  the utilization of fingermillet that further contributes to on-farm conserva tion as well.