Ministry for Agricultural Development, Nepal Government : Lets Ban Monsanto Seeds in Nepal

While Genetically Modified crops are feared almost everywhere in the world, Chaudhary Seeds and Fertilizer Pvt. Ltd is trying to import Monsanto's Hybrid Maize Seeds to Nepali market. Monsanto is a very known name in the field of Genetically Modified Seeds. Monsanto is also known as a company barred in many countries.

Hybrid Seeds Realities:

As hybrid seeds doesn't give fertilized seeds, the farmers will have to buy seeds for every planting.

Not all kind of soil is suitable for Hybrid Seeds. Chaudhary Group hasn't mentioned if they have carried any test on soil from various region of Nepal specifically for Monsanto.

There was a protest in Haiti when Monsanto donated Hybrid Seeds as an Earthquake relief. They say, hybrid seeds are coated with banned pesticides which can even harm the handlers. While Seed Quality Control Center doesn't check standard of every import, how can Chaudhary Group guarantee that Monsanto would supply only non GM Hybrid Seeds? Does Chaudhary Seeds have their own testing mechanism?

Monsanto denied to pay compensation in Andhra Pradesh in India, when Monsanto BT cotton failed to yield. Many farmers killed themselves. BT cotton was Genetically Modified but as the quality control in imported goods not implemented strictly in Nepal, we can't be sure that GM seeds won't enter to Nepali market. Is Chaudhary group ready to bear such compensation like in Andhra Pradesh if such situation comes?

Nepal Agricultural Research Council is worried as Department of Quality Control Nepal has failed to maintain standards a many times.


As Monsanto bring a lot of insecurities to the country along with the seeds, I appeal to Hon. Minister Tek Bahadur Thapa Gharti and Secretary Jaya Mukunda Khanal, Ministry of Agriculture Development and Mr R.P. Mainali of Chaudhary Seeds and Fertilizer to reconsider their decision in this case.