Forage Seeds are the basic requisites to carry out forage development activities. Since 1980, Nepal hasreceived over 12 Mt. of forage seeds from overseas throughout various agencies. Forage cultivation andrange lands improvement are new practice among the farmers. Traditional Knowledge on forageproduction is lacking in Nepal. After the intervention of DLS, Livestock Development Project from 1980's,forage cultivation and seed production activities had been popularly accepted by the farmers. At present, four government farms are involved in various kind of forage seed production.  Over 20different of forage crops are grown for seeds production.  The estimated production of forage seeds is about55 Mt in which 71percent is contributed by private farmers. Major species grown by the farmers are oat,Vetch, Berseem, Stylo, Molasses etc. There is a lack of proper marketing and distribution program and quality control measures for forageseeds. DLS has been promoting forage seed production through extension and development activities. DLShas been launching Rural and Bank program to promote seed production at farmers level. It is estimatedthat about 1,450 ha of lands is brought under fodder and pasture crops each year. The domesticproduction of forage seeds meets only 66 percent of the total requirements. Due to the diversified climateNepal has potential to grow wide range of forage seeds. Proper attention is needed to promote forage seedproduction, distribution and quality control to meet the domestic requirements as well as to promote exportorient market of forage seeds.

Forage Seeds are the basic requisites to carry out forage development activities. Since 1980, Nepal hasreceived over 12 Mt. of forage seeds from overseas throughout various agencies. Forage cultivation andrange lands improvement are new practice among the farmers. Traditional Knowledge on forageproduction is lacking in Nepal. After the intervention of DLS, Livestock Development Project from 1980's,forage cultivation and seed production activities had been popularly accepted by the farmers. At present, four government farms are involved in various kind of forage seed production.  Over 20different of forage crops are grown for seeds production.  The estimated production of forage seeds is about55 Mt in which 71percent is contributed by private farmers. Major species grown by the farmers are oat,Vetch, Berseem, Stylo, Molasses etc. There is a lack of proper marketing and distribution program and quality control measures for forageseeds. DLS has been promoting forage seed production through extension and development activities. DLShas been launching Rural and Bank program to promote seed production at farmers level. It is estimatedthat about 1,450 ha of lands is brought under fodder and pasture crops each year. The domesticproduction of forage seeds meets only 66 percent of the total requirements. Due to the diversified climateNepal has potential to grow wide range of forage seeds. Proper attention is needed to promote forage seedproduction, distribution and quality control to meet the domestic requirements as well as to promote exportorient market of forage seeds.